Premiering on ESPN Tuesday night is a new documentary film that chronicles the story of Chuck Wepner, the man behind the legend.
Chuck Wepner is a liquor salesman from Bayonne, NJ who drives a Cadillac with “Champ” vanity plates. A former New Jersey State Heavyweight Boxing Champion, he took abuse from Sonny Liston, got his nose broken by Muhammad Ali, and inspired Sylvester Stallone to write “Rocky” which won three Academy Awards. Wepner was left out of the “Rocky” glory, and his career took turn after strange turn as he worked to stay in the spotlight: he went on to fight Andre the Giant as “The Assassin” and boxed a 900 pound bear. Twice.
Through interviews, photos and footage, director Jeff Feurerzeig and producer Mike Tollin tell Wepner’s story of being the “real Rocky”, the man who went almost the full 15 rounds with Ali in 1975 to inspire the Oscar-winning movie. 
In many ways, Wepner’s real-life story is actually more captivating than the one that has raked in more than $1 billion.
But despite the obvious parallels between Wepner and The Italian Stallion, Wepner had never seen a dime from Stallone from using Wepner’s story as the inspiration for an estimated billion dollar franchise with a larger than life fanbase. Throughout the years, Stallone has acknowledged in several interviews (some shown in the film) that Wepner (in some form) was the basis for the character of Rocky. Stallone even visited Wepner when he was incarcerated for cocaine distribution and possession in the 1980’s offering encouragement. This film provides a compelling portrait of a colorful character indeed, Chuck Wepner.
