Ivan Drago

Ivan Drago (Russian: Иван Драго) is a fictional Soviet boxer appearing in the 1985 American film Rocky IV. Ivan is known as the Siberian Express, the Siberian Bull, and Death from Above. Drago is an Olympic Gold medalist, was Infantry Captain in the Soviet Army, and amature boxing champion of the Soviet Union.

Personality
Like an iron curtain Ivan Drago says little, and shows little emotion. He allows his wife to on his behalf during interviews, and press conferences. The Soviet Union invests a lot into Drago training, monitoring his heart rate, power, and strength with computers during training. In the film he can be seen recieving intramuscular injections, which are implied to be anabolic steroids. His wife however rejects any notion that he uses such, comparing her husband to America's Popeye.

Biography
Ivan Drago in stated as having won an Olympic gold medal, and to be a captain in the Soviet Army. He trains incredably hard, with his mind on being the best, a desire that often overcomes his humanity. He is a reciepient of the Hero of the Soviet Union award, which is granted to those who have done heroic feats in service to the Soviet Union. He is wed to Ludmilla Vobet Drago, a fellow sportsperson who has also one an Olympic medal.

In 1985, Drago arrived with his wife, and trainers to the United States where his sponsors arranged a match between himself, and the American Apollo Creed. A 42 year old former champion who has come out of retirement for the purpose of fighting Drago. The exhibition match takes place in the MGM Grand Hotel of Las Vagas where Apollo enters in an overly patriotic manner. The bout starts tamely enough, but it soon become apparent that Ivan is far superior to Apollo. The former champion refused to throw in the towel, and during the 2nd round Drago lands a fatal punch that leaves the former champion dying. When asked by the media his take on the matter, Ivan responds; "If he dies... he dies." the comment was taken coldly by one of Apollo's trainer, Rocky who challenges him to a match of vengence, and accepts an unsanctioned 15 round match on Christmas day.

In the USSR, Drago rarely speaks, allowing his wife to do the talking for him (perhaps due the nagative response he recieved in the United States). The matches between the two are fierce, and bloody. Drago eventually looses his cool over the man's resiliance, taking his frustrations out on his own Soviet-German trainer (throwing him out of the ring), and announcing that he (Drago) fights for his own glory; "Для себя!" "Для себя!" ("I fight to win!" "For me!" "For me!"). During the 15th match Drago is defeated by Rocky via knockout. Rocky then gives a victory speech concerning Soviet American relations which the soviet audiance recieves rather well.

Ivan Drago was not permitted to resume his boxing career after his loss to Rocky Balboa because of the special circumstance that he could not officially turn pro in the USSR. Ivan Drago turned professional after the fall of the Soviet Union and accumulated a record of 31-0 (31 KO) while also winning a portion of the Heavyweight title. He never unified the title or fought the very top contenders (as a pro) because of promotional politics. His only defeat as a pro or an amateur fighter was at the hands of Rocky Balboa. [1]