Chuck Wepner
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| Chuck Wepner | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Charles Wepner |
| Nickname | The Bayonne Bleeder |
| Weight | Heavyweight |
| Nationality | US American |
| Birth date | February 26, 1939 |
| Birth place | New York, New York, USA |
| Style | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 47 |
| Wins | 35 |
| Wins by KO | 17 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | |
Chuck Wepner (born February 26, 1939) is a former heavyweight boxer, of Bayonne, New Jersey[1][2].
Contents |
[edit] Early career
Wepner, nicknamed "The Bayonne Bleeder" debuted as a professional boxer in 1964, and began posting many wins and some losses. He had formerly boxed while a member of the United States Marine Corps, and had worked as a security guard before turning pro. [3] [4] He was the New Jersey State Heavyweight Boxing Champion and popular fighter in the Northeast's Club Boxing circuit. But after losing fights to George Foreman (by knockout in three) and Sonny Liston (by knockout in ten) many boxing fans thought that his days as a contender were numbered. After the fight with Liston, Wepner needed over 120 sutures in his face. He also lost a fight to Jose King Roman by a decision in Puerto Rico.
However, after losing to Joe Bugner by a knockout in three in England, Wepner won nine of his next eleven fights, including victories over Charlie Polite and former WBA Heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell.
[edit] Muhammad Ali fight
Then, in 1975, it was announced Wepner would challenge Muhammad Ali for the world's Heavyweight title. This bout was the first time he had been able to train full time.[citation needed] Most boxing fans assumed that Ali would trounce Wepner in the opening rounds.[citation needed] The fight was held on March 24 at Cleveland. Before the fight, a reporter asked Wepner if he thought he could survive in the ring with the champion, to which Wepner allegedly answered
| “ | I've been a survivor my whole life...if I survived the Marines, I can survive Ali. | ” |
Against all expectations, Wepner managed to knock down Ali, felling him in the ninth round with a right hand to the ribs. The referee Tony Perez ruled a knockdown although it appeared Wepner may have been standing on Ali's foot. In an ESPN Classic episode featuring this fight, however, Wepner and Ali trainer Angelo Dundee did not think that Wepner was standing on Ali's foot.[citation needed] In any case, this made Wepner the only boxer to knock down Ali while he was the reigning heavyweight champion of the world.
Wepner proudly told his manager, Dom Bufano of Bufano's gym in Jersey City,
| “ | Hey, I knocked him down. | ” |
Bufano replied [5]
| “ | but he looks really pissed off now... | ” |
Despite being dominated by Ali, who cut Wepner above both eyes, Wepner battled on, finally losing by a TKO in the 15th round. After the Ali fight, Wepner fought through 1978, but never got another title shot. Nonetheless Wepner had made a name for himself as the underdog who had almost "gone the distance" against Ali.[citation needed]
[edit] Post-Ali fight career
Wepner used his newly-found celebrity to venture in professional wrestling, and he went to Japan to participate in the undercard where he met wrestler Antonio Inoki. During the Inoki-Ali "boxer vs. wrestler" match on June 2, 1976, Wepner fought André the Giant on the undercard, losing in the 3rd round.
Wepner kept boxing until the end of 1978, when he lost to Scott Frank by a decision in twelve. He retired thereafter.
[edit] Legal problems
In 1986, he was arrested for cocaine possession and sent to jail for three years.[citation needed] On July 4, 1986, Wepner was involved in a traffic dispute at the Bayonne Diner in New Jersey. During the 1990s, he was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, and he has led a relatively quiet life since. Wepner is candid about his period of drug addiction and now works as a motivational speaker.
[edit] The "Real" Rocky
Wepner served as the the inspiration for the character of Rocky Balboa in the film Rocky.[6] In 2003, Wepner filed a lawsuit against Sylvester Stallone for money supposedly owed to him for the Rocky movies. He has claimed that Stallone has used Wepner's name numerous times without permission when he talks about the inspiration for Rocky Balboa. Two of his other claims were dismissed by U.S. District Court judges, and Sylvester Stallone settled the latest claim out of court for an undisclosed amount.[7] In a published interview by Jim Clash of Forbes, Wepner got a question about his thoughts on Stallone. Wepner said he thought Stallone was a great actor and writer, and that he still considers Stallone a friend. He dismissed the previous legal dispute as being "just business".[citation needed]
[edit] Career totals
Wepner had a record of 31 wins (17 of which were knockouts), 14 losses, and 2 draws.
[edit] References
- ^ Chuck "The Real Rocky" Wepner's Official Web Site
- ^ Chuck Wepner's Boxrec.com page
- ^ http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/1298/don-bleed-bayonne/
- ^ http://www.thebiofile.com/articles/stories/136435412.php
- ^ http://www.boxing-memorabilia.com/biowepner.htm
- ^ http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2006/12/20/rocky_balboa/
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/08/AR2006080800419.html
[edit] External links
- Muhammad Ali vs Chuck Wepner Boxing Review
- Ask Yahoo! Is "Rocky" based on a true story?
