Career

Early life and career

Wepner was born in New York City, New York, the son of Dolores (Hrynko) and Charles William Wepner. He is of German, Ukrainian, and Belorussian descent. Nicknamed "The Bayonne Bleeder," he 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 bouncer before turning pro. 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 72 stitches in his face.

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

In 1975, it was announced Wepner would challenge Muhammad Ali for the world's Heavyweight title.

According to Cleveland Plain Dealer (Feb 9th 1975, Page 4-C), Carl Lombardo put up 1.3 Million Dollars for the Wepner-Ali Heavy Weight title Bout. 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 (trainer and noted cutman) and Bill Prezant (manager). Prezant prophesied that the fight would be a big surprise. This bout was the first time Wepner had been able to train full-time. The fight was held on March 24 at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio south of 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."

In the ninth round Wepner "knocked Ali down", though Ali later contended that Wepner had stepped on his foot, a claim confirmed by photos. Wepner went to his corner and said to his manager, "Al, start the car. We're going to the bank. We are millionaires." To which Wepner's manager replied, "You better turn around. He's getting up and he looks pissed off."

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 when Ali knocked him down with 19 seconds left in the 15th round. The referee counted to seven before calling a technical knockout.

Late career

In 1976, Wepner fought professional wrestler André the Giant and lost by countout after Andre threw him out of the ring.

Wepner's last fight was on May 2, 1978 for the New Jersey State Heavyweight Championship against a new rising prospect, Scott Frank, noted for a useful heavy left hook. Wepner lost the fight in a 12 round decision, but again proved durable, Ring magazine noted. He announced his retirement after the fight.

Later life

Wepner works today with his second wife Linda in the liquor store management field for Majestic Wines and Spirits in Carlstadt, New Jersey, and is an expert in consumer liquors, wines and spirits.

A film about Wepner's career was released in 2012, and ESPN aired a documentary titled 'The Real Rocky' on October 25, 2011. The ESPN film features a clip of Wepner's ninth round knockdown of Muhammad Ali in their 1975 world heavyweight title bout.

Ring appearances

Wepner occasionally makes ringside appearances at boxing cards in his home state of New Jersey, signing autographs and posing for photos with boxing fans. On October 12, 2012, Wepner appeared ringside with former World Light Heavyweight champion Mike Rossman in Atlantic City, New Jersey at a Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City fight card featuring a WBA NABA Lightweight title bout in the main event. Wepner held the WBA NABA heavyweight title during his boxing career.

Rocky

Sylvester Stallone watched Wepner's fight against Ali and shortly afterwards wrote the script for Rocky, but Stallone subsequently denied that Wepner provided any inspiration for the movie. Wepner filed a lawsuit which was eventually settled with Stallone for an undisclosed amount.

It is speculated that the 1982 film Rocky III was influenced by his fight against Andre the Giant, as the movie features a match versus wrestler Hulk Hogan as "Thunderlips", who throws Rocky out of the ring.

In media and popular culture

• Liev Schreiber is playing the role of Wepner in a sports film, The Bleeder.

Professional boxing record

35 Wins (17 knockouts), 14 Losses, 2 Draws
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss		Scott Frank	PTS	12
Win		Tom Healy	KO	5
Win		Johnny Blaine	KO	3
Loss		Horst Geisler	TKO	10
Loss		Mike Schutte	PTS	10
Loss		Duane Bobick	TKO	6
Win		Tommy Sheehan	TKO	2
Win		Johnny Dolan	KO	3
Win		Johnny Evans	TKO	4
Loss		Muhammad Ali	TKO	15
Win	30-9-2	Terry Hinke	TKO	11
Win	29-9-2	Charley Polite	KO	4
Win	28-9-2	Randy Neumann	TKO	6
Win	27-9-2	Billy Williams	PTS	10
Win	26-9-2	Ernie Terrell	PTS	12
Win	25-9-2	Billy Marquart	PTS	12
Win	24-9-2	John Clohessy	PTS	10
Win	23-9-2	Randy Neumann	PTS	12
Loss	22-9-2	Randy Neumann	PTS	12
Win	22-8-2	Mike Boswell	TKO	10
Win	21-8-2	Jesse Crown	KO	4
Loss	20-8-2	Jerry Judge	TKO	5
Loss	20-7-2	Joe Bugner	RTD	3
Loss	20-6-2	Sonny Liston	RTD	9
Win	20-5-2	Manuel Ramos	UD	10
Win	19-5-2	Pedro Agosto	PTS	10
Loss	18-5-2	George Foreman	TKO	3
Loss	18-4-2	Jose Roman	PTS	10
Win	18-3-2	Mike Bruce	PTS	8
Win	17-3-2	Roberto Davila	MD	10
Win	16-3-2	Jerry Tomasetti	TKO	1
Win	15-3-2	Mert Brownfield	PTS	10
Win	14-3-2	Forest Ward	TKO	7
Win	13-3-2	Mike Bruce	PTS	8
Win	12-3-2	Eddie Vick	SD	10
Win	11-3-2	Clay Thomas	TKO	3
Win	10-3-2	Charlie Harris	TKO	6
Loss	9-3-2	Jerry Tomasetti	TKO	5
Win	9-2-2	Don McAteer	TKO	5
Win	8-2-2	Dave Centi	PTS	6
Win	7-2-2	Johnny Deutsch	KO	6
Win	6-2-2	Cleo Daniels	PTS	6
Win	5-2-2	Jerry Tomasetti	PTS	6
Loss	4-2-2	Buster Mathis	TKO	3
Loss	4-1-2	Bob Stallings	PTS	6
Draw	4-0-2	Everett Copeland	PTS	6
Win	4-0-1	Ray Patterson	SD	6
Win	3-0-1	Jerry Tomasetti	PTS	4
Draw	2-0-1	Everett Copeland	PTS	6
Win	2-0	Rudy Pavesi	PTS	4
Win	1-0	George Cooper	KO	3

[ Source: Wikipedia ]