How did the boxing career of Chuck Wepner influence the “Rocky” movie?
Lawyers for Wepner and Stallone said in US District Court last week they have settled the 2003 lawsuit for undisclosed terms. Wepner had maintained that although he inspired Stallone’s Rocky Balboa character, the actor never made good on promises of payment. The former heavyweight boxer claimed Stallone improperly used his name to promote the “Rocky” films, while Stallone countered that Wepner benefited by making public appearances as “the real Rocky.” Stallone … Sylvester Stallone has settled a lawsuit brought by Chuck Wepner, the ex-boxer who claimed he wasn’t compensated as promised for serving as the inspiration for the Rocky franchise. Attorneys for both sides filed legal papers last week notifying U.S. District Court Judge Peter Sheridan in Newark that the two had resolved the legal action, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Terms of the agreement were not revealed. Wepner’s suit, originally filed in New Jersey Superior Court in 2003 before being transferred to federal court,
Supposedly, Stallone was inspired to write this picture after watching a 1975 fight in Cleveland when Muhammad Ali struggled to put away Chuck Wepner. Chuck Wepner (born February 26, 1939) is a former heavyweight boxer from Bayonne, New Jersey. As an obscure boxer who went 15 rounds with world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a 1975 fight, Wepner has often been credited as the inspiration for Rocky Balboa. Career totals Wepner had a record of 35 wins (17 of which were knockouts), 14 losses, and 2 draws. Wepner was indicted in the FBI’s sting, “Operation Bullpen”, which nabbed millions of dollars worth of forged sports memorabilia. Wepner conspired with a friend to forge thousands of Muhammad Ali signatures which were distributed and sold all over the country. Wepner pleaded guilty to one charge of mail fraud, and received a plea deal which included probation, fines, and one day in jail. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.
