By James Slater: Real-Life Rocky Chuck Wepner fought a number of big names during his 1964 to 1978 pro career – including Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Ernie Terrell, Joe Bugner and Duane Bobick. And though “The Bayonne Bleeder” lost to most of the top names he faced, he fought his way into the history books.
Known the world over due to his being the inspiration for move legend Sylvester Stallone’s immortal Rocky Balboa character, it was Chuck’s gutsy effort against the great Ali in 1975 that helped Sly get his 1976 screenplay written. Wepner is a fascinating character who, despite taking some hard beatings in the ring, is in fine shape today. Recently, the one-time “Great White Hope” gave me some of his time over the phone.
Speaking in his customary laid-back manner, the 72-year-old who retired with a 35-14-2(17) record was pressed for time, yet he gave me the following answers on a number of subjects:
On Sonny Liston’s untimely death shortly after he, Liston’s final ring opponent, had been stopped in the 10th-round in June of 1970:
“Liston was, how shall I put it? with guys who were not too reputable. I believe he was associated with the mob. His death was strange, they say he was scared of needles yet he dies of a drugs overdose! I can’t really believe that. I don’t know what happened. I don’t want to sound mean, but I don’t really care what happened. I was the last guy to fight him and at the time I had my own life, my own career to be getting on with. I was shocked when I heard he’d died though.”
On earning his shot at Ali:
“I beat Ernie Terrell, a former WBA champion, and after that I beat two guys, and the late Gil Clancy told me I’d beaten the two best guys in his stable (laughs). My main problem was finding the time to train. I had my full-time job. It wasn’t like these guys today, who have time off and are paid to train. I tried to get a sponsor group behind me, so I could get time off to train, but I couldn’t do it. That would have made so much difference in a number of my fights I think.”
On knocking Ali down in the 9th-round with a punch to the chest:
“It wasn’t a great punch, but it was great fight, and a great moment for me. Bundini [Brown] was really screaming at Ali, ‘get your ass off the floor!’”
On promoter Don King:
“The Ali fight was set up by Don. He always promised me he’d get me a title shot, and Don delivered. I’ll always be grateful to King for that. That fight made me famous! I’ve heard all the horror stories about Don, but he treated me great. I have no complaints – other than I wish I’d beaten Ali (laughs).”
On today’s heavyweights:
“Apart from the two brothers (the Klitschkos), I don’t think too much of today’s heavyweights. They [the Klitschkos] are good, very much in the European style – they don’t mix it up in there. I can’t see anybody ever beating them, to be honest.”
On his favourite fighter today:
“I really like watching Manny Pacquiao. He’s more my style of fighter: all action. I think he’d have fit in any era. But there are just too many titles around today and most of the top guys only fight once or twice a year. That would have been unheard of in my era.”