USA VS. Russia: A Rematch of Two Long-time Heavyweight Rivals
Just a few weeks after the Winter Olympics came to a close in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Crimea, Ukraine. Considering Ukraine is an ally of the USA, this caused many red flags to be raised by our government. Shortly after, President Obama made a statement in regards to the intrusion by Russia, his disagreeing assertive tone clearly reflected his objection to the invasion. It is eminent that the USA and Russia are two “National Powerhouses,” which live by the philosophy “their way or the highway”.
A comparable symbol that comes to mind in regards to these two nations would be two cocky boxers. In their minds they are the very best, and feel threatened by anybody who attempts to take their belt away from them. Well, ever since the beginning of the Cold War in 1945, USA and Russia, then known as the Soviet Union, have been trying to claim that belt.
But this fight has turned into more than just a battle between these two ever since the invention of the nuclear atomic bomb in 1945. Today the USA and Russia are the worldwide leaders in production of nuclear weapons. These weapons of mass destruction don’t just affect the two cocky boxers anymore; it is now affecting everybody in attendance.
Some attempts to establish peace between the two were made by propaganda through sports films. One example was in 1985, when an unlikely American boxer Rocky Balboa made a push for peace in the film Rocky IV.
The film begins by portraying a young 6’5, 261 pound Soviet Union Boxer, Ivan Drago. However, Drago had yet to fight a credible opponent and decides to challenge Balboa. But Balboa declines his initial challenge and claims he is retired. This irritates Balboa’s friend, former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who seems to still be living in the past.
Creed decides to challenge Drago to a fight in America after threatening to knock him out in a press conference. This infuriated Drago, and when the bell dinged at the beginning of the first round all of America saw that anger come out. So much anger and remarkable power behind his punch, Drago literally beat Creed to death in the second round. As Balboa ran to Creed’s limp body lying in the ring, Drago says the most evil and deviant thing possible “If he dies, he dies.”
After witnessing his best friend killed right in front of his eyes, Balboa felt that it was his obligation to fight Drago. But this time due to Drago’s safety concerns in the USA, it was on Russian land in the capital of Moscow on Christmas Day.
Balboa ignored the politics and focused on his main objective, defeating Drago. As the two met in at center ring the differential in size was apparent, Balboa was not only outweighed by 45 pounds but also surrendered seven inches to Drago. Very few believed in Balboa, but all that mattered was him believing in himself. The first round of the match went exactly as everyone expected. Drago landed heavy bombs on Balboa, looking as if Drago could be on his way to causing another death. But in the second round Drago received an unexpected cut over his eye, proving that he was indeed human. The gritty American wasn’t going to go down without a fight, hanging around and exchanging blows with the Soviet all the way into final round 15.
Even more remarkable than Balboa still standing was the political change in the atmosphere, “Rocky” was being chanted throughout the arena. Through the first 14 rounds Drago seemed to be winning the fight overall, meaning that Balboa had to do the improbable and knock Drago out. With the support not only from Americans but Soviets as well, it seemed to light a deep desire within Balboa.
Heart seemed to be the only thing keeping Balboa on his feet, which proved to be enough as he delivered a combination of powerful blows to Drago’s head, knocking him down and for a ten count. Balboa barely able to stand threw his gloves high into the air in disbelief of his improbable victory.
“I came here tonight, I didn’t know what to expect. I seen a lot of people hate me and I didn’t know what to feel about that so I guess they didn’t like much nothing either. During this fight, I’ve seen a lot of changing, the way you feel about me, and in the way I felt about you. In here, there were two guys killing each other, but I guess that’s better than 20 million. I guess what I’m trying to say, is that if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change!” said Balboa.
Although Balboa’s speech wasn’t the most articulate, his overall point is heroic. This movie played a vital role in forming partial peace between the USA and Russia. It seems with the recent occurrences in Crimea, that we may be straying down the long path of war once again.
Sports do not always just represent a game or match taking place, sometimes there is a much deeper meaning than what the naked eye sees. Maybe a new hero like Balboa will emerge from the sports propaganda shadows to reinstate peace. Until then we can only hope that there will be a better solution for the opposing disagreements rather than nuclear warfare.