On a chilly November evening, as the annual induction and awards banquet for the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame got underway, its President, Henry Hascup, took to the stage with his signature Jersey accent.
As Veterans Day neared, he honored the veterans in attendance, asking them to stand. Among them stood the formidable figure of Chuck Wepner, an 86-year-old heavyweight boxing legend, best known for his role in inspiring the iconic ‘Rocky’ film series.
Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches, Wepner’s presence was as commanding as his reputation.
Though many fans recognize him for his epic bout against Muhammad Ali on March 24, 1975, fewer are aware of his earlier life chapter: Wepner served as a U.S. Marine.
Recruited at just 17, he defended his country from 1956 to 1959 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, fulfilling a high-stakes role on the crash crew where he dealt with aircraft fires and pilot rescues.
This rugged duty honed the young man from Bayonne, New Jersey, infusing him with the discipline and resilience he would carry into both his personal life and the boxing ring.
Post-military, Wepner returned to his roots in Bayonne, working various jobs, including as a bouncer, while pursuing boxing. His connection to the Bayonne Police Athletic League (PAL) led him to compete in the 1964 New York Golden Gloves tournament, where he clinched the heavyweight novice division championship, paving the way for his professional career.
Wepner made his professional debut on August 5, 1964, at Veterans’ Stadium in Bayonne. In front of a cheering hometown crowd, he knocked out fellow New Jersey native George Cooper, marking the beginning of an impressive run that would see him achieve 36 professional wins.
Though often nicknamed the “Bayonne Bleeder” due to his tendency to sustain facial cuts during bouts, Wepner’s career from 1964 to 1978 placed him in the ring with notable opponents of the era.
He fought against many famous heavyweights, including the likes of Buster Mathis, José Roman, Manuel Ramos, Joe Bugner, Randy Neumann, Duane Bobick, and Mike Schutte, as well as world champions such as George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Ernie Terrell, and of course, Muhammad Ali.
For 40 consecutive months from 1973 to 1976, Wepner was ranked among the top 10 heavyweight boxers globally by The Ring magazine, peaking at number eight just before his notable match against Ali.
The legendary bout with Ali was held before an audience of 14,847 at the Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland, with the fight broadcast via closed circuit to 150 locations worldwide.
Jerry Fitch, a U.S. Army veteran and boxing historian, noted that prior to the Ali-Wepner encounter, Cleveland hadn’t hosted a heavyweight title fight since July 3, 1931.
Wepner famously declared in a pre-fight press conference, “I’ve been a survivor my whole life… if I survived the Marines, I can survive Ali.”
During the fight, Ali initially toyed with Wepner, leaving him trailing on the scorecards. However, in a surprising turn during the ninth round, Wepner landed a right to Ali’s ribs while seemingly stepping on the champion’s foot, resulting in Ali’s fall to the canvas.
While Ali would later assert that the fall was due to Wepner stepping on his foot, Wepner points out that Ali raised no objections during the match.
This knockdown altered the flow of the fight; from there, Ali more seriously attacked Wepner through the ensuing rounds.
By the time the final round arrived, Ali unleashed a barrage of punches that sent Wepner tumbling into the ropes. After struggling to rise, Wepner found the match halted by referee Tony Perez.
Despite the loss, Wepner left the ring with a significant payout of $100,000 compared to Ali’s earnings of $1.6 million as the 10-to-1 favorite.
Fitch, who had the privilege of experiencing the fight from numerous vantage points, reflected, “All due respect to Chuck Wepner, who was as game as they come. But Muhammad Ali, who didn’t take Chuck seriously, was not going to be defeated by Chuck Wepner.”
Seated in the audience that night was a young and ambitious Sylvester Stallone, whose inspiration from Wepner’s spirit led him to pen the groundbreaking “Rocky” film, released to acclaim in 1976. Despite Wepner’s loss, he became a celebrated figure as the real-life embodiment of an underdog hero in cinema.
Following his retirement from boxing in 1978, Wepner went back to being a liquor salesman, where his popularity surged, leading to a successful career as a public speaker.
Despite a fall-out with Stallone in later years, which resulted in Wepner filing a lawsuit regarding the use of his story without fair compensation, the matter was resolved out of court in 2006.
Wepner has since received numerous accolades, including his induction into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. Most recently, he was awarded the Jersey Joe Walcott Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame on September 28, 2024, recognizing his dedication and long-standing contributions to boxing.
Wepner’s historic win in Atlantic City on June 23, 1973, against former World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell for the vacant National Americas heavyweight title also remains notable in his career.
Referee Harold Valan, serving as the sole judge, determined Wepner the victor by a seven-round to five decision.
His life story again caught public attention in contemporary media when ESPN released “The Real Rocky” documentary in 2011, leading to renewed fascination surrounding the man who inspired the ‘Rocky’ franchise.
On May 5, 2017, the biographical film “Chuck” premiered, featuring Liev Schreiber, who not only starred but also co-wrote and co-produced the project. In early 2019, another film titled “The Brawler,” inspired by Wepner, hit theaters with Zach McGowan in the lead role.
Wepner’s legacy also included a physical representation with the unveiling of a bronze statue in Bayonne’s Collins Park during a 2022 ceremony attended by hundreds of his family, friends, and fans.
Reflecting on the significance of the tribute, Hascup remarked, “Chuck put Bayonne on the map when he fought Ali. Everyone had a great time taking photos and getting autographs from former boxing greats like Chuck, Larry Holmes, Gerry Cooney, and actor Liev Schreiber.”
The love and admiration within his hometown were palpable, as evidenced by the loud roar that erupted when the statue was unveiled.
Similar to Stallone’s Rocky character, Chuck Wepner has solidified his status as a people’s champion, beloved not only across New Jersey but recognized worldwide for both his boxing prowess and honorable military service.
image source from：wearethemighty
