1985 Topps Rocky IV brings the Cold War to trading cards. The second set for the iconic boxing franchise, it joins 1979’s Rocky II. Although other sets have come since, the originals remain extremely popular. In fact, they’re more coveted today than they were when they were originally on store shelves. More than anything, it’s a testament to the enduring popularity of Rocky Balboa, his friends and rivals.
1985 Topps Rocky IV Checklist Details
The base set is just 66 cards, which puts it on the small side even for the era. Even then, it glosses over a lot of the movie as the final fight between Rocky and Drago makes up nearly half of the checklist. While this makes for a blow-by-blow recounting of the action, it doesn’t leave room for much else.
Also curious is the fact that Brigitte Nielsen, one of the key stars in the movie, is nowhere to be found. It’s similar to Richard Dreyfuss not being in 1978 Topps Close Encounters of the Third Kind, although Nielsen isn’t quite as central here.
The design is a lively one with blue borders and a yellow banner along the bottom for the caption. Next to it is a simple boxing glove illustrations and the film’s title art is in a block in the top corner. Backs draw their inspiration from fight posters with headshots of Rocky and Drago on either side. It’s not quite as memorable as Rocky IV’s yellow design but it’s a different film in a different decade.
The 1985 Topps Rocky IV checklist also has 11 stickers with one coming in every pack. These are shaped like boxing gloves and have bright red borders. Backs go together to form the art from the movie’s poster.
1985 Topps Rocky IV Checklist
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Set size: 66 cards
Cards per pack: 10
Packs per box: 36
Shop for 1985 Topps Rocky IV boxes and packs on eBay.
Base Set Checklist
66 cards.
Buy on eBay:
1 Title Card
2 Rocky Balboa
3 Apollo Creed
4 Adrian Balboa
5 Paulie
6 The Man Called Drago
7 Igor Rimsky
8 Corner Man Duke
9 A New Challenge!
10 Apollo’s Comeback
11 Happy Birthday!
12 The Fight Is Set
13 Apollo Wants You!
14 Man-Mountain Creed
15 Creed vs. Drago!
16 Apollo’s Gamble
17 Sizing Up Drago!
18 The Power of Creed!
19 Dynamic Punch!
20 A Champion’s Fists!
21 Belted By Drago!
22 Anyone’s Fight!
23 Drago Comes On Strong!
24 The Fatal Blow!
25 I Want Balboa!
26 A Man Determined
27 Welcome To Russia!
28 In Training!
29 Power Of The Rock!
30 Feelin’ Strong Now!
31 Russia’s Mightiest Man!
32 Pumping Up!
33 A Man Of Steel!
34 Aided By Science!
35 For America!
36 Night of the Strongmen!
37 Jeers, Not Cheers!
38 Balboa vs. Drago
39 Man With A Mission!
40 A Dream Realized!
41 The Battle Begins!
42 Clash Of The Super-Powers!
43 Man Against Superman!
44 Time Out!
45 Drago’s Winded!
46 Two Raging Giants!
47 Socked!
48 Rocky Stymied!
49 Rage Of The Rock!
50 Pounded Into Next Week!
51 A Fantastic Fighter!
52 Up, Up And Away!!
53 Drago’s Sunday Punch!
54 I Won’t Give Up!
55 What A Match!
56 Slugging It Out!
57 Shut Up, Igor!
58 A Face Made For Punching!
59 Demi-Gods Of The Rings!
60 From Russia With Hate!
61 Pandemonium!
62 Rocky’s Up, Drago’s Down!
63 The Winner!
64 In Praise Of Balboa!
65 A Man For All Countries!
66 Checklist
Stickers Checklist
11 cards.
1 per pack.
1 Drago
2 Drago
3 Rocky / Drago
4 Rocky
5 Rocky Balboa
6 Drago / Rocky
7 Drago / Apollo
8 Drago
9 Rocky / Drago
10 Apollo
11 Rocky
