Chuck Wepner

Chuck Wepner and Mike Rossman (2012 )

Charles " Chuck" Wepner ( born February 26, 1939 in New York ) is a former American heavyweight boxer.

By his own admission inspired Wepners fight against Muhammad Ali on March 24, 1975 Sylvester Stallone to the script for Rocky.

Professional career

Wepner started his professional boxing career in 1964. He was regarded as the average boxer with deficits in impact strength, speed and boxing techniques, but earned some respect for his strong fighting spirit and above average taker skills. Several of his early defeats were caused by its susceptibility to lacerations, which earned him the nickname The Bayonne Bleeder.

He lost in the construction phase already against unnamed opponents, but also notable boxers such as Buster Mathis Sr. He was in August 1969 opponents of George Foreman in his fourth professional fight. Despite its much larger experience of 24 fights he was clearly outclassed by the 20- year-old Foreman and had already lost in the third round by TKO.

In 1970, he defeated Manuel Ramos for the first time a well-known opponents. In the same year a meeting was held with the former world champion Sonny Liston. It was Liston's last fight. Liston had since his last loss to Muhammad Ali all his fights can make victorious and only against the hard hitting Leotis Martin, who was led up in the world rankings, lost. Although Liston had already passed its zenith as a boxer, he dominated Wepner still clear and won early because this was taken back because of various lacerations from the fight. Against Joe Bugner Wepner lost then again after cuts, against the unknown Judge Jerry by knockout.

In 1973 it came to the most dubious fight of his career, as a flattering point victory he was awarded against Ernie Terrell. TV recordings of this struggle do not exist, the journalists led the result less on the ring event as to the influence of his manager Al Braverman back.

Braverman friend Don King mediated Wepner with 36 years as a world title challenger Muhammad Ali. Ali won the fight on March 24, 1975 all-in although he surprisingly went in the 15th round in the 9th round to the ground after Wepner sent him to the ground - even if later analysis of film and photo documents revealed that Wepner Ali had stepped on the foot. Ali was down for the count to 8.

1976 lost Wepner against Duane Bobick and in June a show boxing match against the 2.13 m wide and over 200 pound wrestler Andre the Giant. In 1978, he finally ended his career.

Later life

Sylvester Stallone had seen Wepners fight against Ali and shortly thereafter wrote the screenplay for the movie Rocky. In 2003, Wepner sued Stallone for the film version of his story. Stallone and Wepner agreed out of court in an unknown amount.

2011 was directed by Jeff Feuerzeig the documentary The Real Rocky.

Since the early 2000s Wepner working for the liquor dealer Majestic Wines and Spirits in Carlstadt, New Jersey.