If Apollo fought the Panther while wearing his All-American, "Mom's Apple Pie" red, white, and blue huggies, then it would be no contest. Clad in those togs, Creed would be the next best thing to Captain America. The larger comic book-buying demographic would DEMAND an Apollo Creed victory over the African king from a racist, xenophobic nation who has a name reminiscent of a black American "hate group".
Of course, it's fine with the larger comic book-buying demographic when the patriotically-clad Apollo Creed can beat Rocky Balboa nearly to death and still wind up losing the fight in the end.
The Italian Stallion always trumps the Black Panther AND Apollo Creed where the larger comic book-buying demographic is concerned.