Chuck Wepner
Chuck Wepner | |
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Wepner (left) and former light heavyweight champion Mike Rossman in 2012
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Statistics | |
Real name | Charles Wepner |
Nickname(s) | The Bayonne Brawler The Bayonne Bleeder |
Rated at | Heavyweight |
Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) |
Nationality | American |
Born | Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. |
February 26, 1939
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 an American former professional boxer who fought at heavyweight.[1][2] As a world ranked contender he went fifteen rounds with world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a 1975 title fight. Wepner claimed that he was the inspiration for the movie Rocky. He 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 life and career
Wepner was born in New York City, New York, the son of Dolores (Hrynko) and Charles William Wepner.[3][4] He is of German, Ukrainian, and Belorussian descent.[5] Nicknamed "The Bayonne Bleeder," he 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 bouncer before turning pro.[6] 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 72 stitches in his face.[citation needed]
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
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 (trainer and noted cutman) and Bill Prezant (manager). Prezant prophesied that the fight would be a big surprise. This bout was the first time Wepner had been able to train full-time.[7] 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."[citation needed]
In the ninth round Wepner knocked Ali down, though Ali later contended that Wepner had stepped on his foot, a claim confirmed by photos.[8] Wepner went to his corner and said to his manager, "Al, start the car. We're going to the bank. We are millionaires." To which Wepner's manager replied, "You better turn around. He's getting up and he looks pissed off."[9]
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 seven before calling a technical knockout.[10]
Late Career
In 1976, Wepner fought professional wrestler André the Giant and lost by countout after Andre threw him out of the ring.[11][12]
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.[13] Wepner lost the fight in a 12 round decision, but again proved durable, Ring magazine noted. He announced his retirement after the fight.[14]
Later life
Wepner works today with his second wife Linda in the liquor store management field for Majestic Wines and Spirits in Carlstadt, New Jersey, and is an expert in consumer liquors, wines and spirits.[15]
A film about Wepner's career was released in 2012,[16] and ESPN aired a documentary titled 'The Real Rocky' on October 25, 2011.[17] The ESPN film features a clip of Wepner's ninth round knockdown of Muhammad Ali in their 1975 world heavyweight title bout.[18]
Ring appearances
Wepner occasionally makes ringside appearances at boxing cards in his home state of New Jersey, signing autographs and posing for photos with boxing fans. On October 12, 2012, Wepner appeared ringside with former World Light Heavyweight champion Mike Rossman in Atlantic City, New Jersey at a Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City fight card featuring a WBA NABA Lightweight title bout in the main event. Wepner held the WBA NABA heavyweight title during his boxing career.
Rocky
Sylvester Stallone watched Wepner's fight against Ali and shortly afterwards wrote the script for Rocky, but Stallone subsequently denied that Wepner provided any inspiration for the movie.[19][20] Wepner filed a lawsuit which was eventually settled with Stallone for an undisclosed amount.[20]
It is speculated that the 1982 film Rocky III was influenced by his fight against Andre the Giant, as the movie features a match versus wrestler Hulk Hogan as "Thunderlips", who throws Rocky out of the ring.[19][21][22]
In media and popular culture
- Liev Schreiber is playing the role of Wepner in a sports film, The Bleeder.[23]
Professional boxing record
35 Wins (17 knockouts), 14 Losses, 2 Draws [24] | |||||||
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
Loss | 35-14-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 12 | 26/09/1978 | ![]() |
Referee: Jersey Joe Walcott. Lost USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. |
Win | 35-13-2 | ![]() |
KO | 5 (?) | 02/06/1978 | ![]() |
|
Win | 34-13-2 | ![]() |
KO | 3 (?) | 07/04/1978 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 33-13-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 10 (10) | 20/05/1977 | ![]() |
Wepner down in the 10th round. |
Loss | 33-12-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | 19/02/1977 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 33-11-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 6 (10) | 02/10/1976 | ![]() |
Bout was stopped on cuts. |
Win | 33-10-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (10) | 06/05/1976 | ![]() |
|
Win | 32-10-2 | ![]() |
KO | 3 (10) | 19/11/1975 | ![]() |
|
Win | 31-10-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 4 (10) | 19/11/1975 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 30-10-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 15 (15) | 24/03/1975 | ![]() |
For WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles. Ali down in the 9th round after Wepner knocked him down with a body shot, Wepner almost went the distance and was TKOed with 19 sec. left in the 15th and final round. This fight was allegedly the inspiration for Rocky. |
Win | 30-9-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 11 (12) | 03/09/1974 | ![]() |
Promoter Dick Sadler billed this for the American Heavyweight title. Wepner was penalized 4 points for assorted fouls. Hinke ruled down 3 times in 11th. |
Win | 29-9-2 | ![]() |
KO | 4 (?) | 23/05/1974 | ![]() |
|
Win | 28-9-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 6 (12) | 08/03/1974 | ![]() |
Retained USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. Neumann suffered a severe gash from a clash of heads. |
Win | 27-9-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | 17/01/1974 | ![]() |
|
Win | 26-9-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 12 | 23/06/1973 | ![]() |
Won vacant National Americas heavyweight title. |
Win | 25-9-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 12 | 15/03/1973 | ![]() |
Retained USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. |
Win | 24-9-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | 07/12/1972 | ![]() |
|
Win | 23-9-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 12 | 15/04/1972 | ![]() |
Won USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 22-9-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 12 | 09/12/1971 | ![]() |
Lost USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. |
Win | 22-8-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 10 (10) | 14/10/1971 | ![]() |
|
Win | 21-8-2 | ![]() |
KO | 4 (?) | 16/09/1971 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 20-8-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 5 (8) | 06/01/1971 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 20-7-2 | ![]() |
RTD | 3 (10) | 08/09/1970 | ![]() |
Cut eye stoppage. |
Loss | 20-6-2 | ![]() |
RTD | 9 (10) | 29/06/1970 | ![]() |
Wepner 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 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | 26/01/1970 | ![]() |
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Win | 19-5-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | 19/12/1969 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 18-5-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (10) | 18/08/1969 | ![]() |
Wepner'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 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | 22/06/1969 | ![]() |
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Win | 18-3-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 8 | 28/04/1969 | ![]() |
|
Win | 17-3-2 | ![]() |
MD | 10 | 14/03/1969 | ![]() |
Scoring: 5-4-1, 5-5, 6-4. |
Win | 16-3-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (10) | 13/12/1968 | ![]() |
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Win | 15-3-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | 09/11/1968 | ![]() |
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Win | 14-3-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 7 (8) | 28/09/1968 | ![]() |
Ward was down three times in the 7th round, triggering an automatic stoppage. |
Win | 13-3-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 8 | 20/05/1968 | ![]() |
|
Win | 12-3-2 | ![]() |
SD | 10 | 30/04/1968 | ![]() |
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Win | 11-3-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (?) | 22/01/1968 | ![]() |
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Win | 10-3-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 6 (?) | 27/11/1967 | ![]() |
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Loss | 9-3-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 5 (6) | 19/07/1967 | ![]() |
|
Win | 9-2-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 5 (6) | 28/04/1967 | ![]() |
Won vacant USA New Jersey State heavyweight title. McAteer was a last minute sub. |
Win | 8-2-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 6 | 21/10/1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 7-2-2 | ![]() |
KO | 6 (?) | 03/08/1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 6-2-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 6 | 06/04/1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 5-2-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 6 | 22/02/1966 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 4-2-2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (6) | 17/01/1966 | ![]() |
Wepner was knocked down in the 1st. |
Loss | 4-1-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 6 | 19/10/1965 | ![]() |
|
Draw | 4-0-2 | ![]() |
PTS | 6 | 23/03/1965 | ![]() |
|
Win | 4-0-1 | ![]() |
SD | 6 | 19/01/1965 | ![]() |
Patterson was knocked down in the 2nd. |
Win | 3-0-1 | ![]() |
PTS | 4 | 18/12/1964 | ![]() |
|
Draw | 2-0-1 | ![]() |
PTS | 6 | 27/10/1964 | ![]() |
|
Win | 2–0 | ![]() |
PTS | 4 | 14/08/1964 | ![]() |
|
Win | 1–0 | George Cooper | KO | 3 (?) | 05/08/1964 | ![]() |
See also
References
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- ↑ [1]
- ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2486-2VF
- ↑ http://articles.philly.com/2003-11-20/news/25463435_1_chuck-wepner-bayonne-bleeder-apollo-creed
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links
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Wikiquote has quotations related to: Chuck Wepner |
- Articles with dead external links from November 2012
- Articles with unsourced statements from December 2015
- Articles with unsourced statements from December 2011
- Boxrec ID different in Wikidata
- 1939 births
- Living people
- Boxers from New Jersey
- People from Bayonne, New Jersey
- Rocky (film series)
- United States Marines
- Sportspeople from Hudson County, New Jersey
- American male boxers