Rocky Balboa & Apollo Creed (Rocky)

Rocky and Apollo begin on opposite sides of the ring, which makes where they end up so satisfying. Apollo is first the champion Rocky is trying to shock, then the rival who understands him in a way few others can, and eventually the training partner pushing him toward another fight. That arc gives them something different from almost every pair in the league: their friendship has competition baked into it. Maverick & Goose have brotherhood; Riggs & Murtaugh have mismatched personalities. Rocky & Apollo have mutual respect earned one punch at a time.