- Chuck Wepner
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Chuck Wepner Statistics Real name Charles Wepner Nickname(s) The Bayonne Brawler a.k.a The Bayonne Bleeder Rated at Heavyweight Nationality 
AmericanBorn February 26, 1939
New York City, New York, U.S.Stance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 51 Wins 35 Wins by KO 17 Losses 14 Draws 2 Charles "Chuck" Wepner (born February 26, 1939) is a former heavyweight boxer from Bayonne, New Jersey.[1][2] As a tough but journeyman boxer he went 15 rounds with world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a 1975 fight. Wepner is credited as the inspiration for Rocky Balboa. Wepner also appeared in the book Operation Bullpen about the $100 million fake autograph scam. The last chapters of Operation Bullpen focus on the John Olson-Chuck Wepner counterfeit scheme in which Olson forged Muhammad Ali autographs on a variety of Ali merchandise, including photographs of Ali and Wepner. Wepner sold forgeries in partnership with Olson, and in 2002 the FBI arrested them both. Each received probation for their crimes.
Contents
Career
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] 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.
Muhammad Ali fight
Then, in 1975, it was announced Wepner would challenge Muhammad Ali for the world's Heavyweight title. According to a Time magazine article, "In Stitches", Ali was guaranteed $1.5 million and Wepner signed for $100,000. This was considerably more than Wepner had ever earned and he therefore did not need any coaxing. Wepner spent eight weeks near the Catskill Mountains under the guidance of Al Braverman (manager) and Bill Prezant (trainer and noted cutman). Prezant prophesied that the fight would be a big surprise. This bout was the first time Wepner had been able to train full time.[4] The fight was held on March 24 at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio south of 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."
The bout was promoted again by Don King who promised Ali the astonishing sum of $1.5 million. King was now firmly associated with Ali and a player on the heavyweight scene.
In the ninth round Wepner knocked down Ali, though Ali later contended that Wepner had stepped on his foot. Wepner went to his corner and said to his manager, "Hey, I knocked him down." "Yeah," Wepner's manager replied, "but he looks really pissed off now..."[5]
In the remaining rounds, Ali decisively outboxed Wepner and opened up cuts above both Wepner's eyes and broke his nose. Wepner was far behind on the scorecards when Ali knocked him down with 19 seconds left in the 15th round. The referee counted to nine before calling a technical knockout.[6] Young actor Sylvester Stallone watched the fight at home on television and was inspired to write the script for Rocky, based on Wepner's gutsy challenge. In 1976, Wepner fought professional wrestler André the Giant and lost by countout after Andre threw him out of the ring.[7][8] It is speculated that the 1982 film Rocky III was influenced by this fight, as the movie features a match versus wrestler Hulk Hogan as "Thunderlips", who throws Rocky out of the ring. [9] [10] [11]
Last fight
Wepner's last fight was on May 2, 1978 for the New Jersey State Heavyweight Championship against a new rising prospect, Scott Frank, noted for a useful heavy left hook.[12] Wepner lost the fight in a 12 round decision, but again proved durable, Ring magazine noted. He announced his retirement after the fight.[13]
From approximately 2000 to 2010, Wepner worked for Majestic Wines and Spirits in Carlstadt, NJ.[14]
A film about Wepner career is set to be released in 2012, [15] and ESPN aired a documentary titled "The Real Rocky" on October 25, 2011. [16]
Professional boxing record
35 Wins (17 knockouts, 18 decisions), 14 Losses (9 knockouts, 5 decision), 2 Draws, 0 No Contest [1] Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes Loss 35-14-2 Scott FrankPTS 12 26/09/1978 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, United StatesReferee: Jersey Joe Walcott. Lost USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. Win 35-13-2 Tom HealyKO 5 (?) 02/06/1978 Old Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, United StatesWin 34-13-2 Johnny BlaineKO 3 (?) 07/04/1978 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, United StatesLoss 33-13-2 
Horst GeislerTKO 10 (10) 20/05/1977 Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York, United StatesWepner down in the 10th round. Loss 33-12-2 
Mike SchuttePTS 10 19/02/1977 Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaLoss 33-11-2 Duane BobickTKO 6 (10) 02/10/1976 Utica College Sports Complex, Utica, New York, United StatesWin 33-10-2 Tommy SheehanTKO 2 (10) 06/05/1976 Kearny, New Jersey, United StatesWin 32-10-2 Johnny DolanKO 3 (10) 19/11/1975 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United StatesWin 31-10-2 Johnny EvansTKO 4 (10) 19/11/1975 Portland, Maine, United StatesLoss 30-10-2 Muhammad AliTKO 15 (15) 24/03/1975 Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio, United StatesFor WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles. Ali toyed with Wepner until the 9th, when a surprise right to the ribs knocked the champion flat on his back. In the 15th, Ali battered Wepner's bloodied face until the "Bayonne Bleeder" crumpled into the ropes. Said by Sylvester Stallone to be the inspiration for the Oscar-winning film Rocky (1976). Win 30-9-2 Terry HinkeTKO 11 (12) 03/09/1974 Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah, United StatesPromoter Dick Sadler billed this as for the American Heavyweight title. Wepner had been penalized 4 points for assorted fouls. Hinke ruled down 3 times in 11th. Win 29-9-2 Charley PoliteKO 4 (?) 23/05/1974 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, United StatesWin 28-9-2 Randy NeumannTKO 6 (12) 08/03/1974 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesRetained USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. Neumann suffered a severe gash from a clash of heads. Win 27-9-2 Billy WilliamsPTS 10 17/01/1974 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, United StatesRetained USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. Neumann suffered a severe gash from a clash of heads. Win 26-9-2 Ernie TerrellPTS 12 23/06/1973 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesWon vacant National Americas Heavyweight Title. The decision was made by the referee alone. Terrell leaned on Wepner throughout the fight and jabbed away at cuts over his right eye and left ear. Terrell tired in the late rounds but continued to land solid punches. Unofficial The Ring (magazine) scorecard - 9-3 Terrell. Win 25-9-2 Billy MarquartPTS 12 15/03/1973 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, United StatesRetained USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. Win 24-9-2 John ClohessyPTS 10 07/12/1972 Bayonne, New Jersey, United StatesWin 23-9-2 Randy NeumannPTS 12 15/04/1972 Jersey City, New Jersey, United StatesWon USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. Loss 22-9-2 Randy NeumannPTS 12 09/12/1971 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, United StatesLost USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. Win 22-8-2 Mike BoswellTKO 10 (10) 14/10/1971 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, United StatesWin 21-8-2 Jesse CrownKO 4 (?) 16/09/1971 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, United StatesLoss 20-8-2 Jerry JudgeTKO 5 (8) 06/01/1971 Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, United StatesLoss 20-7-2 
Joe BugnerRTD 3 (10) 08/09/1970 
Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United KingdomIn round 3 Bugner opened a gash above Wepner's right eye that almost immediately covered the side of his face with blood. Referee Harry Gibbs came over to view the cut and decided to call an end to the bout despite arguments from Wepner's corner to at least give him one more round. Loss 20-6-2 Sonny ListonTKO 10 (10) 29/06/1970 Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, United StatesWepner down by body blow in the 5th round. Fight stopped by ring doctor after round 9 because of multiple cuts on Wepner's face. Win 20-5-2 
Manuel RamosUD 10 26/01/1970 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesWin 19-5-2 
Pedro AgostoPTS 10 19/12/1969 Felt Forum, New York, New York, United StatesLoss 18-5-2 George ForemanTKO 3 (10) 18/08/1969 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesWepner's eye opened up slightly in the 1st round, and was bad enough by the beginning of the 3rd to give Foreman a TKO. Loss 18-4-2 Jose RomanPTS 10 22/06/1969 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoWin 18-3-2 Mike BrucePTS 8 28/04/1969 Secaucus, New Jersey, United StatesWin 17-3-2 
Roberto DavilaMD 10 14/03/1969 Felt Forum, New York, New York, United StatesScoring: 5-4-1, 5-5, 6-4. Win 16-3-2 Jerry TomasettiTKO 1 (10) 13/12/1968 Felt Forum, New York, New York, United StatesWin 15-3-2 Mert BrownfieldPTS 10 09/11/1968 Scranton, Pennsylvania, United StatesWin 14-3-2 Forest WardTKO 7 (8) 28/09/1968 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesWard was down three times in the 7th round, triggering an automatic stoppage. Win 13-3-2 Mike BrucePTS 8 20/05/1968 Plaza Arena, Secaucus, New Jersey, United StatesWin 12-3-2 Eddie VickSD 10 30/04/1968 Walpole, Massachusetts, United StatesWin 11-3-2 Clay ThomasTKO 3 (?) 22/01/1968 Secaucus, New Jersey, United StatesWin 10-3-2 Charlie HarrisTKO 6 (?) 27/11/1967 Secaucus, New Jersey, United StatesLoss 9-3-2 Jerry TomasettiTKO 5 (6) 19/07/1967 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesWin 9-2-2 Don McAteerTKO 5 (6) 28/04/1967 Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, United StatesWon vacant USA New Jersey State heavyweight title. McAteer was a last minute sub. Win 8-2-2 Dave CentiPTS 6 21/10/1966 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesWin 7-2-2 Johnny DeutschKO 6 (?) 03/08/1966 Scranton, Pennsylvania, United StatesWin 6-2-2 Cleo DanielsPTS 6 06/04/1966 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, United StatesWin 5-2-2 Jerry TomasettiPTS 6 22/02/1966 Sunnyside Gardens, Sunnyside, Queens, New York, United StatesLoss 4-2-2 Buster MathisTKO 3 (6) 17/01/1966 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesMathis floored Wepner for an eight-count in the opening round and opened a cut over his opponent's right eye later in the session. Wepner was unable to recover from the 1st round pounding and the fight was stopped by referee Al Linn at 1:58 of the 3rd round. Loss 4-1-2 Bob StallingsPTS 6 19/10/1965 Sunnyside Gardens, Sunnyside, Queens, New York, United StatesDraw 4-0-2 Everett CopelandPTS 6 23/03/1965 Sunnyside Gardens, Sunnyside, Queens, New York, United StatesWin 4-0-1 Ray PattersonSD 6 19/01/1965 Sunnyside Gardens, Sunnyside, Queens, New York, United StatesPatterson was knocked down in the 2nd. Win 3-0-1 Jerry TomasettiPTS 4 18/12/1964 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesDraw 2-0-1 Everett CopelandPTS 6 27/10/1964 Sunnyside Gardens, Sunnyside, Queens, New York, United StatesWin 2–0 Rudy PavesiPTS 4 14/08/1964 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United StatesWin 1–0 George Cooper KO 3 (?) 05/08/1964 City Stadium, Bayonne, New Jersey, United StatesSee also
References
- ^ Chuck "The Real Rocky" Wepner's Official Web Site
- ^ Chuck Wepner's Boxrec.com page
- ^ Don’t Bleed For Me Bayonne | TheSweetScience.com Boxing
- ^ "In Stitches". Time Magazine. 1975-04-07. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,917248,00.html. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E20UvJsBykg
- ^ Ali Pounds Wepner
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3EksOFtILs
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozRTSSaP6p4&feature=related
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUhGoY3h0fY
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084602/synopsis
- ^ http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/page/IamChuckWepner/chuck-wepner-recognized-rocky-fame
- ^ http://www.njboxinghof.org/cgi-bin/henryseehof.pl?486
- ^ http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Ken/Hissner031011.htm
- ^ http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/professional/35-years-after-facing-muhammad-ali-bayonne-bleeder-chuck-wepner-still-pulls-no-punches, dated March 23, 2010, accessed April 7, 2010.
- ^ http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2011/09/politi_chuck_wepner_the_real_r.html
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/09/22/wepner.boxing/index.html
External links
- Chuck Wepner's website
- Professional boxing record for Chuck Wepner from BoxRec
- Interview with Chuck Wepner
- Chuck Wepner at the Internet Movie Database
Rocky Films Characters Rocky Balboa · Mickey Goldmill · Apollo Creed · Clubber Lang · Ivan Drago · Tommy Gunn · Mason Dixon · Duke EversVideo games Related articles Categories:- 1939 births
- Living people
- American boxers
- People from Bayonne, New Jersey
- Rocky
- United States Marines
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