Tony Burton, Apollo Creed’s Trainer From Rocky Films, Dies at 78

Rocky actor Tony Burton has died at the age of 78, according to MLive.com.

Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies, tweeted about the news Thursday night, and Burton’s sister Loretta Kelley also confirmed the actor’s death.

Burton, a native of Flint, Mich., was known for playing Duke, Apollo Creed’s trainer, in the first six Rocky movies. Burton had been a professional boxer and won lightweight titles in Flint in 1955 and 1957.

Burton was supposed to appear in Creed but backed out because of health issues.