The Boxing Saga Continues: Creed III and the Actors' Dedication to Fitness

The Rocky film series and its spin - off, the Creed franchise, have consistently revolved around the overarching theme of athletes, specifically boxers, surmounting formidable athletic challenges. These narratives depict boxers attaining feats that seem nigh - impossible while simultaneously transforming themselves into peak competitive condition. Next year, another cinematic chapter will unfold, as two Hollywood actors once again embrace this mandate within the boxing ring.

On October 17, 2022, actor Michael B. Jordan took to his Instagram profile to unveil two teaser posters for the forthcoming boxing epic, Creed III. These teasers showcase Jordan, who portrays the fictional superstar boxer Adonis Creed, and his co - star Jonathan Majors, embodying a new antagonist named Damian “Dame” Anderson. The pair are seated in the corner of a boxing ring, flaunting their impressively massive shoulders, arms, and chiseled upper - body physiques. Coincidentally, these reveals accompanied the official announcement of the film's release date, set for March 3, 2023.

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As reported by Variety, Creed III marks Michael B. Jordan's directorial debut. At 35 years old, Jordan reprises one of his most renowned career roles. In previous installments, numerous sequences have highlighted his intense training regimens, encompassing cardio, upper - body strength, and overall high - level conditioning. (Notably, according to IMDB, Jordan has also earned acclaim for lead roles in films such as 2013's Fruitvale Station and 2018's Black Panther.)

Concurrently, Jonathan Majors joins the Creed franchise as a burgeoning star in the cinematic realm. The 33 - year - old actor first gained significant recognition with his role in 2019's The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Subsequently, he has had notable appearances in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods (2020) and the 2021 spaghetti western The Harder They Fall. Majors is also set to become the next lead antagonist, Kang the Conqueror, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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In a recent Men's Health profile, Majors emphasized his unwavering commitment to fitness, irrespective of his upcoming film roles.

“If I'm required to bench press 250 pounds in a film, I should be capable of bench pressing 275 pounds multiple times,” Majors initially stated to Men's Health, before amending his statement: “305 pounds multiple times.”

Majors seemingly applied this same principle in his preparation for Creed III. Reportedly, he was dissatisfied with being provided “fake weights” during filming.

“I'm willing to do this all day — we're not using fake weights,” Majors explained to Men's Health. “I've spent the past three months training intensively, and I'm not about to use Styrofoam. Load these [expletive] weights so we can lift, you can film, and I can tell the story. Respectfully, anything less is akin to using fake tears or applying fake sweat.”

It will be some time before audiences witness Jordan and Majors presumably facing off in Creed III. However, given the evident dedication of these two actors to prioritizing their fitness as professionals, the showdown within the ropes in March 2023 is sure to be a spectacle.

Featured image: @michaelbjordan on Instagram