Tony "Duke" Evers

Tony "Duke" Evers Sr. (27th May 1938-25th February 2016) was an American former professional boxer, former owner of the Delphi Boxing Academy and boxing trainer. He was portrayed by Tony Burton.
He is the secondary antagonist in Rocky, Rocky II, a supporting character in Rocky III and Rocky Balboa, the tritagonist in Rocky IV, and minor character in Rocky V.
Duke's final boxing match was a loss to the young up and coming Apollo Creed. Creed asked for Duke's guidance following the fight and Duke agreed to help train and manage Apollo. Sometime in the next few years, Duke opened up the Delphi Boxing Academy, a boxing gym for boxers to train at, Apollo Creed trained in this gym for many years while he was the Heavyweight Champion.
In 1976 (Rocky), Duke trains Creed for a match-up against an unknown opponent at the time, Rocky Balboa. Creed is caught by surprise when Balboa throws everything at him and survives the 12 rounds, but Creed is still able to win by split decision. In 1978 (Rocky II), Creed challenges Balboa to a rematch against Duke's wishes. Duke implies that it may not be the smartest choice for Creed to take the fight, but despite Duke's words, Creed still takes the fight. Duke trains Creed for the fight and on this occasion, Creed loses by KO in the 12th round, suffering his first ever loss and losing his Heavyweight title. In 1982 (Rocky III), Apollo Creed has been retired for a few years now and Duke is presumed to be training other fighters at the Delphi Boxing Academy. Meanwhile, Rocky Balboa has been on top of the world, generating ten successful title defences, but when Balboa loses his championship to Clubber Lang and his trainer Mickey Goldmill dies, Apollo Creed steps up and offers to train Balboa along with Duke at his side. Creed takes charge as the main trainer, utilizing skills that he learnt from Duke. Balboa is able to knockout Clubber Lang in the third round following help from Creed and Duke.
In 1985 (Rocky IV), Creed came out of retirement to fight a young Russian boxer that was making his debut on the American stage. Duke again trained Creed for the fight that was meant to just be an exhibition, but tragically Apollo Creed was killed at the hands of the Russian, Ivan Drago. Balboa was in the corner of Creed and had the towel in hand with Duke screaming at him to throw the towel in, but Creed dropped before he could and died in the ring. Duke was very crushed by the loss, saying that Creed was like a son to him. Duke then travelled to Russia with Balboa and helped train/support him for his fight against Drago. Balboa won the fight and Duke told him that Creed would be extremely proud of him.
Duke returned 20 years later in 2006 (Rocky Balboa), Duke now seemingly retired from training, comes back to help Rocky Balboa have one last boxing match. Balboa is set to be fighting the current Heavyweight champion, Mason Dixon. Duke trains Balboa and Balboa ends up losing by split decision.
Along the way, Duke had a son, Tony "Little Duke" Evers. Duke's son followed him into training and eventually took over as full-time trainer at the Delphi Boxing Academy.
== Gallery ==
File:Apollo and Tony.webp|Apollo and Tony
File:Duke Evers old.webp|Old Duke
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