When Gazzo angrily asked why Rocky failed to follow orders, Rocky protests had he broken the man’s fingers, he would not have been able to work and earn the money to repay the rest of the debt. Gazzo, more concerned about reputation than collection, tells Rocky to “leave the thinking to me”. Rocky’s employment with Gazzo was also a bone of contention for Mickey, who banned him from his gym saying he had potential, but Rocky “fought like an ape” and he was a hired goon for “that loan shark”. 
