Charles “Chuck” Wepner, a retired professional boxer, has had a remarkable life that has captured the attention of Hollywood. Growing up in the tough streets of Bayonne, New Jersey, Wepner learned to fight to defend himself and developed a passion for sports, particularly basketball. After enlisting in the US Marine Corps, Wepner discovered his talent for boxing and went on to have a successful career in the professional circuit. He faced notable opponents such as Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and even inspired the iconic film ‘Rocky’. With a record of 35 wins, 14 losses, and two draws, Wepner left a lasting impact on the world of boxing.
Quick Facts
- Nick Name: The Real
- Also Known As: Charles Wepner
- Age: 84 Years, 84 Year Old Males
- Spouse/Ex-: Linda Wepner, Lorma Wepner, Phyllis Wepner
- Father: Charles William Wepner
- Mother: Dolores (Hrynko)
- Siblings: Don Wepner
- Children: Charlene Weper, Chuck Wepner Jr., Kimberly Wepner
- Born Country: United States
- Height: 6’5″ (196 cm), 6’5″ Males
- Ancestry: Ukrainian American, German American
- City: Bayonne, New Jersey
- U.S. State: New Jersey
Childhood & Early Life
Chuck Wepner was born on February 26, 1939, in New York City. He is the son of Dolores and Charles William Wepner and has a brother named Don. When he was about a year old, he and his mother relocated to his maternal grandmother’s house in Bayonne, New Jersey. He lived in a room that was previously a coal shed until he was 13 years old. Wepner was an active youth, participating in sports, especially basketball, for the Police Athletic League. He grew up in a tough neighborhood and had to learn to fight to survive.
Career
Wepner joined the army as a youth, which brought discipline into his life and exposed him to boxing. After briefly working as a bouncer at a nightclub, he took up boxing seriously. He won the New York Golden Gloves Heavyweight Novice Championship in 1964 and turned professional with a record of 16 wins and zero losses. He became a popular boxer on the Northeast’s Club Boxing circuit, fighting all over the US and defeating notable opponents.
Wepner had his only trilogy of fights against Randy Neumann, winning and losing the USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title. He also challenged Muhammad Ali for the world’s Heavyweight title in 1975, knocking Ali down in the ninth round but ultimately losing the match. Wepner’s fight with Ali inspired Sylvester Stallone to write the screenplay for the movie ‘Rocky’, although Stallone later stated that the inspiration for the character was Rocky Marciano.
After retiring from boxing, Wepner made sporadic ringside appearances at boxing cards in New Jersey to interact with fans. His life has been the subject of the biographical sports drama ‘Chuck’ and a documentary called ‘The Real Rocky’.
Awards & Achievements
Chuck Wepner won the USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title twice and the vacant National Americas Heavyweight title.
Family & Personal Life
Wepner has been married three times. He has children from his first two marriages and is currently married to Linda Wepner. Following his fight with Muhammad Ali, Wepner was incarcerated for possessing cocaine. He refused to reveal his supplier’s name and served 18 months in prison.
Wepner built a successful second career as a liqueur salesman after retiring from boxing.
Trivia
At the height of his boxing career, Wepner used nicknames such as “The Real Rocky” and “The Bayonne Bleeder”.