Some of the younger posters may not be aware of the inspiration for the “Rocky” series of movies. When a young Sylvester Stallone saw the 1975 world heavyweight title fight between champion Muhammad Ali and the 34 year old rugged, no-hoper challenger Chuck Wepner, he was so moved by the effort and character shown by Wepner in this gruelling 15 round fight that he was moved to pen the script for the first “Rocky” movie.
Wepner had faced some good heavyweights in his time, losing most notably to George Foreman and Sonny Liston and beating ageing former WBA champion Ernie Terrell. He came into the ring that night with 30 wins from 42 fights and was expected to be cannon fodder for the champion. In the event, he roughed Ali up, never stopped coming forward and in one dramatic moment in round nine, actually floored Ali with a clean body shot. His place in history was assured. Even more so when, against all the odds, he made it into the last round before being stopped.
Wepner had been working as a night shift security guard at the local General Electric factory when he got shot at the greatest prize in sport. "I didn't win the title that night, but I've been treated like a champion every day of my life since then," he said. "I was somebody everybody could relate to, a blue-collar guy with a bunch of kids, two jobs, no money in the bank, and a big dream."
His late trainer, Al Braverman, said of him: "Chuck was the gutsiest fighter I ever met. He was in a league of his own. He didn't care about pain or cuts. If he got cut or elbowed, he never looked at me or the referee for help. He was a fighter in the purest sense of the word."
For more info on Chuck Wepner and his colourful career in and out of the ring, check out his biography “Toe to Toe Any Foe” by Dr.Glenn Van Warrebey.
The "Real" Rocky Balboa
You forgot to mention that Chuck later was convicted of dealing drugs and went to jail.
I guess he decked Ali with a clean body shot -- if you ignore the fact that Chuck stepped on his foot.
He gave good performances in the ring and is well-remembered for that, even above, I think, the "bayonne Bleeder" tag.
Chuck was a super-tough guy and it is not necesary to overstate his case.
I guess he decked Ali with a clean body shot -- if you ignore the fact that Chuck stepped on his foot.
He gave good performances in the ring and is well-remembered for that, even above, I think, the "bayonne Bleeder" tag.
Chuck was a super-tough guy and it is not necesary to overstate his case.