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Chuck Wepner (born approx. 1946) is a former
Heavyweight boxer. Although Wepner had a career of
ups and downs, he did something that transcended
boxing.

Wepner, nicknamed "The Bayonne Bleeder" debuted as
a professional boxer in 1964, and began posting
many wins and some losses. 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 counted.
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 world Heavyweight champion Ernie
Terrell. 

Then, in 1975, it was announced Wepner would
challenge Muhammad Ali for the world's Heavyweight
title. Wepner had previously been forced to work
as a liquor salesman and security guard to make
ends meet. This was the first time he had been
able to train full time for a bout. Most fans took
the fight as a joke, and Ali was heavily favoured
to retain the belt in the fight, held on March 24
at Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland. Against all
expectations, however, Wepner managed to knock
down Ali when he reached his ribs with a right
hand in the ninth round and sent the champion to
the canvas. The knock down itself was
questionable, and Ali may have just slipped,
getting hit in the ribs as he was falling. Ali
pummeled Wepner and was never in any trouble
during the fight, but Wepner's brave performance
in taking lots of punishment and 'knocking down'
Ali inspired many. He was knocked out in the 15th
round from a right hand to the jaw.

In New York City, a struggling actor named
Sylvester Stallone had bought a television set
with $100 he had as a birthday present to watch
the Ali-Wepner bout. After watching the fight,
Stallone became inspired to write the script for a
Hollywood movie entitled Rocky, which became a
blockbuster, spawning four sequels. Wepner hence
also earned the nickname The Real Life Rocky.

Wepner used his newly found celebrity to venture
in professional wrestling, and he went to Japan to
participate in the undercard where he met wrestler
Antonio Inoki.

Wepner kept boxing until 1978, when he lost to
Scott Frank by a decision in twelve and then
retired.  

In 1986, he ran into trouble and was arrested,
going to jail for a short period of time. During
the 1990s, he was inducted into the New Jersey
Boxing Hall of Fame, and he has led a relatively
quiet life since.

In 2003, Wepner filed a lawsuit against Stallone
for money supposedly owed to him for the Rocky
movies. He has claimed that Stallone has used
Wepner's name numerous times without permission
when he talks about the inspiration for Rocky
Balboa. Two of his other claims have already been
thrown out by U.S. District Court judges. A trial
date has not been set. 

Wepner had a record of 31 wins (17 of which were
knockouts), 14 losses, and 2 draws.