Just compared the theatrical cut vs the directors cut...

Gotta go with the theatrical cut.

The lines where Tommy says, "I want my respect"....and Rocky says, "well come and get it"....is gone in the directors cut. Instead there is another plea by Rocky to not fight after he walks out there and all encircle them. It just does not fit what is going on.

The scene where Rocky has the Mickey flashback is so well done during the fight in the theatrical version, whereas in the directors cut Mickey is on the bridge and seems to off in the distance like a ghost instead of a memory. Very weird. Then out of character for Mickey in the directors cut he says..."now go and kick his ass" which pales in comparison to the line in the theatrical version which has some moving words from Mickey followed by, "now get up....cause Mickey loves ya" which really was a high point of the movie.

Then finally in the directors cut, at the end Rocky takes Tommy's hand after he has knocked him down to help him up and a cop asks for Tommy's autograph. Very bad writing if you ask me. The approach to Duke after he says, "touch me and I'll sue", and he knocks him on his ass, is GONE!!! So is the throwback to when Rocky says a hello the the priest.

Theatrical version is superior in every way with the exception of the cheesy Sage Stallone lines...i.e., "He took my room!..."etc.