Chuck Wepner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 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 | 31 |
| 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.
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 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] Muhmamad Ali fight
Then, in 1975, it was announced Wepner would challenge Muhammad Ali for the world's Heavyweight title. Wepner had previously been forced to work as a liquor salesman and security guard to make ends meet. Wepner had also been a United States Marine before his fight with Ali. This bout was the first time he had been able to train full time for a bout. Most fans took the fight as a joke, and Ali was heavily favoured to retain the belt in the fight, held on March 24 at Cleveland. Before the fight, a reporter asked Wepner if he thought he could survive (15 rounds) 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 when he reached his ribs with a right hand in the ninth round and sent the champion to the canvas. Many said Ali fell down only because he had been standing on Ali's foot.
Wepner proudly told his manager, Dom Bufano or Bufano's gym in Jersey City,
| Hey, I knocked him down. |
Bufano replied
| but he looks really pissed off now... |
Despite being dominated by Ali, who cut Wepner above both eyes, Wepner battled gamely on, finally losing by a TKO in the 15th. After the Ali fight, Wepner fought through 1978, but never got another title shot.
[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 less than a minute.
Wepner kept boxing until 1978, when he lost to Scott Frank by a decision in twelve and then retired.
[edit] Legal problems
In 1986, he was arrested for cocaine possession and went to jail for three years. On July 4, 1986 Wepner was involved in a traffic dispute at the Bayonne Diner. During the 1990s, he was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, and he has led a relatively quiet life since, candid about his period of drug addiction and working as a motivational speaker.
In 2003, Wepner filed a lawsuit against 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 have already been thrown out by U.S. District Court judges. Sylvester Stallone and Wepner settled the latest out of court for an undisclosed amount [1].
[edit] Career totals
Wepner had a record of 31 wins (17 of which were knockouts), 14 losses, and 2 draws.
[edit] External links
- Muhammad Ali vs Chuck Wepner Boxing Review
- Ask Yahoo! Is "Rocky" based on a true story?
