Marcus Irving writes that a positive of Mick's death in the third film was "that Apollo Creed becomes a much larger part of the film, becoming Rocky’s new trainer" and observed the interactions "between Stallone and Weathers in Creed’s old training grounds are the closest that the film comes to feeling emotionally resonant."
Marcus Irving highlights that one positive aspect of Mick's death in the third film was Apollo Creed taking on a more prominent role, becoming Rocky's new trainer. He also notes that the interactions between Stallone and Weathers at Creed's old training grounds were particularly impactful emotionally.