How can Rocky III be Rock's prime...he wasn't hungry...even Mick acknowledged it.
Rocky Balboa: I said why you doin' this?
Mickey: Because you can't win, Rock! This guy will kill you to death inside of three rounds!
Rocky Balboa: You're crazy.
Mickey: What else is new?
Rocky Balboa: He's just another fighter.
Mickey: No, he ain't just another fighter! This guy is a wrecking machine! And he's hungry! Hell, you ain't been hungry since you won that belt.
Rocky Balboa: What are you talkin' about? I had ten title defenses.
Mickey: That was easy.
Rocky Balboa: What you mean, "easy"?
Mickey: They was hand-picked!
Rocky Balboa: Setups?
Mickey: Nah, they wasn't setups. They was good fighters, but they wasn't killers like this guy. He'll knock you to tomorrow, Rock!
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Rocky II was the best Rocky, because he had the hunger.