Chuck Wepner

Chuck Wepner
Wepner in 2012
Born	Charles Wepner (1939-02-26) February 26, 1939 New York City, U.S.
Other names	The Bayonne Bleeder
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
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. He fell just nineteen seconds short of a full fifteen rounds against world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a 1975 championship fight. Wepner also scored notable wins over Randy Neumann and former world heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell. He was also the last man to fight former undisputed world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston.

Wepner's boxing career, and fight with Ali, inspired the 1976 film Rocky, and other life events were chronicled in the 2016 film, Chuck. He was also the subject of the 2019 film The Brawler.

Early life

Charles Wepner was born on February 26, 1939, in New York City. He is of German, Ukrainian, and Polish descent.

Wepner learned to fight on the streets of Bayonne, New Jersey, saying, "This was a tough town with a lot of people from the docks and the naval base and you had to fight to survive". Wepner was about a year old when he moved in with his grandmother on 28th Street near Hudson Boulevard (now Kennedy Boulevard). He was raised by his mother and grandparents, living in a room that was a converted coal shed until he was 13. He was an avid player of sports in his youth, playing basketball for the Police Athletic League. At Bayonne High School, his height helped him get a spot on the basketball team.

At the age of 15, Wepner decided he would join the U.S. Marines, inspired by the movie Battle Cry. In the Marines, he became a member of the boxing team, developing a reputation for being able to withstand other boxers' punches, and becoming a military champion at one of the airbases. A 1975 Sports Illustrated article said that Wepner had saved the lives of three Marine pilots, pulling them from blazing airplanes.

Career

Wepner turned professional in 1964 and became a popular boxer on the Northeast's Club Boxing circuit, where he began posting many wins and some losses fighting throughout the region, including in arenas close to his boyhood home such as North Bergen and Secaucus.

Nicknamed "The Bayonne Bleeder" due to repeated facial injuries in the ring, he took the name that was initially meant as an insult and made it his nom de guerre. In an interview with the BBC, Wepner said "I was a big bleeder. I had 328 stitches in my career. My nose was broken nine times in 16 years. And, uh, it never fazed me, you know?"

He had formerly boxed while a member of the United States Marine Corps, and had worked as a bouncer before turning pro. He was the New Jersey state heavyweight boxing champion, but after losing bouts to George Foreman (by cut eye stoppage in three) and Sonny Liston (by technical knockout in nine) many boxing fans thought that his days as a contender were numbered. After the match with Liston, Wepner needed 72 stitches in his face. After his retirement, Wepner stated that Liston was the hardest puncher he ever fought.

However, after losing to Joe Bugner by a cut eye stoppage in three in England, Wepner won nine of his next eleven bouts, including victories over Charlie Polite and former WBA heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell.

Muhammad Ali fight

In 1975, it was announced that Wepner would challenge Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight title. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer (February 9, 1975, Page 4-C), Carl Lombardo invested $1.3 million to finance the Wepner-Ali heavyweight title bout. According to a Time article, "In Stitches", Ali was guaranteed $1.5 million and Wepner signed for $100,000. This was considerably more than Wepner had ever earned; thus, he "needed no coaxing." Wepner spent eight weeks training in the Catskill Mountains under the guidance of Al Braverman (trainer and noted cutman) and Bill Prezant (manager).

Prezant prophesied that the match would be a big surprise. This bout was the first time Wepner had been able to train full-time; since 1970 his typical day had consisted of road work in the morning, followed by his job selling liquor during the day. Then he was able to spend his nights working out and sparring in Bayonne boxing clubs. The match was held on March 24 at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio, south of Cleveland. Before the match, 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."

In the ninth round, Wepner scored a knockdown, which Ali said occurred because Wepner was stepping on his foot. Published photographs showed Wepner stepping on Ali's foot at the time of the knockdown. Wepner went to his corner and said to his manager Al Braverman, "Al, start the car. We're going to the bank. We are millionaires." To this, Wepner's manager replied: "You better turn around. He's getting up and he looks pissed off."

In the remaining rounds, Ali decisively outboxed Wepner and opened up cuts above both of 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.

After the Ali-Wepner bout, Sylvester Stallone wrote the script for Rocky, which was released in theatres in 1976. Like Wepner, (Rocky) Balboa lasts 15 rounds, but unlike Wepner, he actually "goes the distance". For years after Rocky was released, Stallone denied that Wepner provided inspiration for the movie, though he eventually admitted it.

Late career

In 1976, Wepner fought professional wrestler André the Giant and lost by countout after Andre threw him out of the ring.

Wepner's last match was on May 2, 1978, for the New Jersey state heavyweight championship against a new rising prospect, Scott Frank, noted for using a heavy left hook. Wepner lost the match in a 12-round decision, but again proved durable. He announced his retirement afterwards.

Later life

After his retirement from boxing, Wepner began abusing drugs. In 1979, Sylvester Stallone wanted to cast Wepner as a sparring partner in Rocky II, but he failed the audition due to his drug problems.

In November 1985, Wepner was arrested on drug charges when he was found with four ounces of cocaine in an undercover police investigation. Under a plea-bargain agreement, he was sentenced in 1988 to ten years in prison. He served 17 months in Northern State Prison, Newark, New Jersey, then spent another 20 months in New Jersey's intensive supervision program.

In 2003, Wepner sued Sylvester Stallone, seeking payment for his use as the inspiration for Rocky and the film series. The lawsuit was settled with Stallone in 2006 for an undisclosed amount.

As of 2010, Wepner had been working for 10 years with his third wife Linda in the liquor sales field for Majestic Wines and Spirits in Carlstadt, New Jersey, and was an expert in consumer liquors, wines and spirits.

A film about Wepner's career was released in 2012, and ESPN aired a documentary titled The Real Rocky on October 25, 2011. The ESPN film features a clip of Wepner's ninth round knockdown of Muhammad Ali in their 1975 world heavyweight title bout.

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.

Portrayals and inspirations

• Sylvester Stallone's character Rocky Balboa and portions of the Rocky film series were inspired by the life of Chuck Wepner. For instance, it was speculated that a scene from the 1982 film Rocky III had been influenced by Wepner's fight against Andre the Giant, as the movie features a match versus wrestler Hulk Hogan as "Thunderlips", who throws Rocky out of the ring.
• Liev Schreiber played the role of Wepner in a sports film, Chuck.
• Zach McGowan played the role of Wepner in another sports film, The Brawler.
• In 2022, a statue of Wepner was unveiled in Collins Park in Bayonne. The project had been several years in the works.

Professional boxing record

52 fights	36 wins	14 losses
By knockout	17	9
By decision	19	5
Draws	2

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round(s), time	Date	Location	Notes
52	Loss	36–14–2	Scott Frank	UD	12	September 26, 1978	Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.	Lost USA New Jersey State heavyweight title
51	Win	36–13–2	Tom Healy	TKO	5 (10), 2:13	June 2, 1978	Old Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
50	Win	35–13–2	Johnny Blaine	TKO	3 (10)	April 7, 1978	Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
49	Loss	34–13–2	Horst Geisler	TKO	10 (10), 1:19	May 20, 1977	Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York, U.S.
48	Loss	34–12–2	Mike Schutte	PTS	10	February 19, 1977	Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
47	Loss	34–11–2	Duane Bobick	TKO	6 (10), 1:12	October 2, 1976	Utica College Sports Complex, Utica, New York, U.S.
46	Win	34–10–2	Tommy Sheehan	TKO	2 (10), 1:01	May 6, 1976	Kearny High School Gym, Kearny, New Jersey, U.S.
45	Win	33–10–2	Johnny Dolan	KO	3 (10)	November 29, 1975	National Guard Armory, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
44	Win	32–10–2	Johnny Evans	TKO	4 (10), 0:59	November 13, 1975	Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, U.S.
43	Loss	31–10–2	Muhammad Ali	TKO	15 (15), 2:41	March 24, 1975	Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio U.S.	For WBA and WBC heavyweight titles
42	Win	31–9–2	Terry Hinke	TKO	11 (12), 1:10	September 3, 1974	Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
41	Win	30–9–2	Charley Polite	TKO	4 (10)	May 23, 1974	Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
40	Win	29–9–2	Randy Neumann	TKO	6 (12)	March 8, 1974	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Retained USA New Jersey State heavyweight title
39	Win	28–9–2	Billy Williams	PTS	10	January 17, 1974	Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
38	Win	27–9–2	Ernie Terrell	PTS	12	June 23, 1973	Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Won vacant National Americas heavyweight title
37	Win	26–9–2	Billy Marquart	PTS	12	March 15, 1973	Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.	Retained USA New Jersey State heavyweight title
36	Win	25–9–2	John Clohessy	PTS	10	December 7, 1972	Marist High School, Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
35	Win	24–9–2	Randy Neumann	PTS	12	April 15, 1972	Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.	Won USA New Jersey State heavyweight title
34	Loss	23–9–2	Randy Neumann	PTS	12	December 9, 1971	Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.	Lost USA New Jersey State heavyweight title
33	Win	23–8–2	Mike Boswell	TKO	10 (10)	October 14, 1971	Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
32	Win	22–8–2	Jesse Crown	KO	4 (10)	September 16, 1971	Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
31	Loss	21–8–2	Jerry Judge	TKO	5 (8)	January 6, 1971	Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
30	Loss	21–7–2	Joe Bugner	RTD	3 (10), 3:00	September 8, 1970	Empire Pool, London, England
29	Loss	21–6–2	Sonny Liston	RTD	9 (10), 3:00	June 29, 1970	Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
28	Win	21–5–2	Manuel Ramos	UD	10	January 26, 1970	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
27	Win	20–5–2	Pedro Agosto	UD	10	December 19, 1969	Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
26	Loss	19–5–2	George Foreman	TKO	3 (8), 0:54	August 18, 1969	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
25	Loss	19–4–2	José Roman	PTS	10	June 22, 1969	Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico, U.S.
24	Win	19–3–2	Mike Bruce	PTS	8	April 28, 1969	Plaza Arena, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
23	Win	18–3–2	Roberto Davila	MD	10	March 14, 1969	Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
22	Win	17–3–2	Jerry Tomasetti	TKO	1 (10), 2:20	December 13, 1968	Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
21	Win	16–3–2	Mert Brownfield	MD	10	November 9, 1968	Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
20	Win	15–3–2	Forest Ward	TKO	7 (8)	September 28, 1968	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
19	Win	14–3–2	Mike Bruce	PTS	8	May 20, 1968	Plaza Arena, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
18	Win	13–3–2	Eddie Vick	SD	10	April 30, 1968	Walpole, Massachusetts, U.S.
17	Win	12–3–2	Clay Thomas	TKO	3 (8), 1:13	January 22, 1968	Plaza Arena, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
16	Win	11–3–2	Charlie Harris	TKO	6 (8)	November 27, 1967	Plaza Arena, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
15	Loss	10–3–2	Jerry Tomasetti	TKO	5 (6), 1:07	July 19, 1967	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
14	Win	10–2–2	Don McAteer	TKO	7 (8), 1:32	April 28, 1967	Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.	Won vacant USA New Jersey State heavyweight title
13	Win	9–2–2	Lou Hicks	UD	6	January 18, 1967	Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
12	Win	8–2–2	Dave Centi	PTS	6	October 21, 1966	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
11	Win	7–2–2	Johnny Deutsch	TKO	6 (6)	August 3, 1966	Memorial Stadium, Scranton, Pennsylvania U.S.
10	Win	6–2–2	Cleo Daniels	UD	6	April 6, 1966	Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
9	Win	5–2–2	Jerry Tomasetti	UD	6	February 22, 1966	Sunnyside Gardens, New York City, New York, U.S.
8	Loss	4–2–2	Buster Mathis	TKO	3 (6), 1:58	January 17, 1966	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
7	Loss	4–1–2	Bob Stallings	SD	6	October 19, 1965	Sunnyside Gardens, New York City, New York, U.S.
6	Draw	4–0–2	Everett Copeland	PTS	6	March 23, 1965	Sunnyside Gardens, New York City, New York, U.S.
5	Win	4–0–1	Raymond Patterson	SD	6	January 19, 1965	Sunnyside Gardens, New York City, New York, U.S.
4	Win	3–0–1	Jerry Tomasetti	UD	4	December 18, 1964	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
3	Draw	2–0–1	Everett Copeland	SD	6	October 27, 1964	Sunnyside Gardens, New York City, New York, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Rudy Pavesi	PTS	4	August 14, 1964	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	George Cooper	KO	3 (4), 1:35	August 5, 1964	City Stadium, Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.

External links

• Boxing record for Chuck Wepner from BoxRec (registration required)
• Chuck Wepner – The Real Rocky, by Peter Hossli, January 1, 2007.
• Chuck Wepner at IMDb