 Donnie auditions at Los Angeles' elite Delphi Boxing Academy, managed by family friend Tony "Little Duke" Evers Jr., the son of Apollo's trainer Tony "Duke" Evers, but is turned down.This rejection is further emphasized as Donnie is beaten in a sparring match by light heavyweight division first contender Danny "The Stuntman" Wheeler after he publicly challenges the whole gym to prove himself by betting to give away his 1965 Ford Mustang.Undaunted, Donnie travels to Philadelphia in hopes of getting in touch with his father's old friend and rival, former heavyweight champion, Rocky Balboa.