Connect with us

Articles of 2005

Chuck Wepner: Brother, can you spare a dime?

Published

on

It has been more than 30 years since Chuck Wepner challenged Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight championship of the world and became the prototype for Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky” character, which is about to undergo its sixth incarnation.

Wepner, who hailed from Bayonne, New Jersey, was nicknamed the “Bayonne Bleeder” because of his propensity to bleed as if stabbed with a shank. During a career that spanned from 1964-78, he received more than 300 stitches while compiling a record of 35-14-2 (17 KOs).

But his biggest moment came in March 1975, when, as a prohibitive underdog, he lasted into the 15th round against Ali in Cleveland. He even knocked the mighty Ali down.

Stallone, then a struggling actor, watched the Ali-Wepner fight on closed-circuit television in a New York movie house. He was so impressed with Wepner’s effort that he churned out the script for “Rocky” in just a few days.

The film would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1976 and spawn four sequels. It is believed that the entire Rocky franchise has netted over $1 billion, of which Wepner never saw a dime.

For years Wepner told people that he received $70,000 for being the muse for the first film, but now admits to saying that to spare himself the embarrassment of not being compensated at all. He describes his dealings with Stallone as being “thirty years of frustrations, handshakes and broken promises.”

Since his gallant stand against Ali, Wepner has had no shortage of travails. He was socially addicted to cocaine in the eighties and served two years of a 10-year prison sentence for drug trafficking, but was sprung early with the help of his many friends in the law enforcement community and the political arena. Although Wepner was a small fish in a much bigger drug conspiracy, he refused to rat on his colleagues, which only enhanced his reputation as a standup guy.

What is most refreshing about the former boxer’s involvement in that crime is the fact that he accepts full responsibility for his actions. He is the first to admit that he screwed up and deserved every day of the sentence he received. When released, he spent several years in what is called the Intensive Supervision Program. He has never looked back.

“What I did was an aberration,” said the 66-year-old Wepner, who looks a decade and a half younger.

Wepner continued to do charity work, much of it with local police departments, even as he logged many hours a week as a salesman for a liquor distribution company – a job he has held for more than three decades. Because he was so beloved in and around Bayonne, he shot a television ad several years ago for Dillon Tires, which is located in his hometown.

“I’ve been around a while,” he says in the ad. “I’ve fought Sonny Liston, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Sometimes I got beat, but you’ll never get beat at Dillon Tires.”

The former fighter has proved to be quite the pitchman. “I run the ad every year on local channels for about four months at a time,” said Bruce Dillon, the owner of Dillon Tires. “Whenever I do, business booms. I have to keep a stack of autographed pictures of Chuck on hand, because everyone wants one. He’s an icon around there.”

Wepner’s life never seems to slow down – even as he approaches the age of 70. He is currently immersed in a lawsuit with Stallone, whom he alleges used his name inappropriately to promote the “Rocky” franchise.

What inspired the lawsuit, which was filed two years ago, was the fact that Stallone announced plans to produce a Broadway play based on the Rocky character. Since then, a film to be called “Rocky VI” has gone into production.

Renowned documentary filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig is also filming a documentary on Wepner’s life. Feuerzeig recently released “The Devil and Daniel Johnston,” a portrait of the manic-depressive, singer/songwriter genius.

For the past several months, a camera crew has been chronicling Wepner’s every move. Besides traveling with him as he makes his daily rounds of liquor stores and bars, many of whom he has serviced for decades, they have brought him to Gleason’s Gym, where they filmed him hitting the heavy bag; to New Jersey’s Hudson County Park, where they had him running up steps much the way Stallone did in “Rocky,” and even had him run over a mile behind a car equipped with a camera.

“In the park I ran up 46 steps five times before they got it right,” joked Wepner. “When they had me running behind the car, the producer was telling me to pick it up while I was saying slow it down. These guys forget that I’m a senior citizen.”

Once the documentary is completed, most likely by the spring of 2006, there are plans for a feature film on Wepner’s life to be made by Metro Goldwyn Mayer and tentatively titled “Redemption.” The first choice to play him was Academy Award winner Tim Robbins, who, like Wepner is 6’5” and already showed in “Bull Durham” that he is athletically inclined.

However, it seems that Robbins has priced himself out of the picture. That opened the door for John C. Reilly, who although a few inches shorter, could probably better capture Wepner’s blue-collar, workingman appeal.

Reilly has been nothing short of brilliant in such films as “The Aviator,” “Anger Management,” “Chicago,” “Gangs of New York,” “The Perfect Storm” and “Boogie Nights.”

“I feel like my life is being lived as a reality TV show,” said Wepner, who was accompanied to a November 30 boxing show in North Bergen, New Jersey, by his lovely third wife Linda, to whom he has been blissfully married for 12 years.

“I’ve always lived large and enjoyed the ride,” Wepner said. “But this, I have to admit, is one of the most exciting chapters of my life. The next few years are going to be very interesting. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me.”

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles7 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles4 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles5 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles4 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles13 hours ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 days ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles4 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles4 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles5 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles7 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending