The film also stars Burt Young as Paulie, Rocky’s brother-in-law in his last appearance in the Rocky series and real-life boxer Antonio Tarver as Mason “The Line” Dixon, the current World Heavyweight Champion in the film. Boxing promoter Lou DiBella plays himself and acts as Dixon’s promoter in the film. Milo Ventimiglia plays Rocky’s son Robert, now an adult. A pair of minor characters from the original film return in larger roles: Marie, the young woman that Rocky attempts to steer away from trouble, and Spider Rico, the first opponent Rocky is shown fighting in the 1976 film. There are many references to people and events from previous installments in the series, especially the first. 
The film was released on December 20, 2006, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios. It exceeded box office expectations and critical reaction was positive. Rocky Balboa was released in several formats for its home media release, and DVD sales have exceeded $34 million. The film was followed by a sequel/spin-off, Creed, released November 25, 2015.
