Actor Tony Burton, trainer of Apollo Creed and the Italian Stallion in Rocky movies, dies at 78 after year-long battle with illness

On the silver screen he helped Apollo Creed and Rocky succeed in the toughest of battles.

But actor Tony Burton, who played trainer Duke Evers in six movies of the hit franchise, died in California on Thursday after a long fight with illness.

The 78-year-old had been in-and-out of hospital for the past year, however he never received an official diagnosis.

His younger sister Loretta Kelley confirmed the news to the Flint native’s home state news website Michigan Live.

Carl Weathers, who played Apollo, tweeted: ‘Sad news. RIP Tony Burton. His intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movies successful. #BePeace.’

Unlike his on-screen charges, Tony was actually an accomplished boxer.