Poche Pictures
e-mail: rich@pochepictures.com
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CHUCK WEPNER vs. Andre The Giant
Chuck Wepner Fights on DVD
$9.95
$9.95
Fights in the set include:
Chuck Wepner (born February 26, 1939) is a former heavyweight boxer from Bayonne, New Jersey.[1][2] As an
obscure boxer he went 15 rounds with world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a 1975 fight. Wepner has often
been credited as the inspiration for Rocky Balboa.
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, near 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 stepped on Ali's foot, causing him to fall. The referee, who had also failed to warn Wepner for
his constant rabbit punching, counted it as a knockdown nonetheless. 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..."[citation needed]
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 and was knocked out in the final minutes.
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. [5] [6]
From approximately 2000 to 2010, Wepner worked for Majestic Wines and Spirits in Carlstadt, NJ.[7]
Career totals
Wepner had a record of 35 wins (17 of which were knockouts), 14 losses, and 2 draws.
obscure boxer he went 15 rounds with world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a 1975 fight. Wepner has often
been credited as the inspiration for Rocky Balboa.
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, near 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 stepped on Ali's foot, causing him to fall. The referee, who had also failed to warn Wepner for
his constant rabbit punching, counted it as a knockdown nonetheless. 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..."[citation needed]
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 and was knocked out in the final minutes.
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. [5] [6]
From approximately 2000 to 2010, Wepner worked for Majestic Wines and Spirits in Carlstadt, NJ.[7]
Career totals
Wepner had a record of 35 wins (17 of which were knockouts), 14 losses, and 2 draws.