As we celebrate Sylvester Stallone’s 78th birthday today, Rocky II is back on TV screens tomorrow, featuring Apollo Creed. The Master of Disaster was probably Rocky’s greatest opponent, not only for their lengthy antagonism in the ring, but also for the impact they had on each other’s lives.

When actor Carl Weathers died in February this year Stallone said: “It’s a horrible loss. He was magic, and I was so fortunate to be part of his life… We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever…