Chuck Wepner: The real-life 'Rocky' who floored Muhammad Ali

Charles Wepner, also known as the real-life 'Rocky' was a former boxing professional from New Jersey. The Bayonne Bleeder took on Mohamed Ali for a full 15 rounds in 1975, flooring the former heavyweight champion.

Charles Wepner was born on February 26, 1939, in New York City. Wepner grew up as a fighter on the streets of Bayonne, New Jersey where he referred to it as "a tough town with a lot of people from the docks...You had to fight to survive."

He was an avid player of sports in his youth, his athletic build made him a hot pick for the basketball team at Bayonne High School. Wepner later opted to join the US Marines, where he became a member of the boxing team and began developing his reputation as a boxer.

Wepner turned to professional boxing in 1964, becoming a popular fighter on the Northeast's club boxing circuits. He gained the nickname, the Bayonne Bleeder due to his recurring facial injuries in the ring.

"I was a big bleeder. I had 328 stitches in my career. My nose was broken nine times in 16 years. And, uh, it never fazed me you know?"

He was the New Jersey state heavyweight champion however, after losing to George Foreman and Sonny Liston, he lost his title. Many boxing fans felt Wepner had burnt himself out and was on his way out.

In June 1970, Wepner and Liston met at the ring. A bloody fight that ended with a knockout in round 10, flooring Wepner. After the match, he needed 72 stitches in his face. Wepner stated that Liston was the hardest hitter he ever faced.

After a long losing spell, Wepner went over to England where he won nine of his next eleven bouts, including victories over Charlie Polite and Ernie Terrel.

In 1975, Wepner announced he would challenge Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight title. All eyes were set on the fight, as Mohammad Ali was one of the world's most renowned fighters.

A reporter asked Wepner if he would survive in the ring, to which he later answered, "I've been a survivor my whole life...if I survived the Marines, I can survive Ali."

Carl Lombardo sponsored the fight between Wepner-Ali, investing $1.3mn total. Ali was guaranteed $1.5mn in comparison to Wepner's $100,000. Both fighters were in for a good fight, but Wepner was the underdog for both bookies and fans.

During the 9th round, Wepner scored a knockdown, flooring Ali. The underdog made his statement while the crowd overlooked in shock. Wepner went to his corner and said, "Al, start the car. We're going to the bank. We are millionaires!". Al Braverman responded, "you better turn around, he's getting up and he looks p----d off."

In the remaining rounds, Mohammed Ali decisively outboxed Wepner with his unique feet work and colossal punches. Ali opened up cuts above Wepner's eyes and broke his nose. During the last 19 seconds of the 15th round, Wepner was floored by Ali resulting in a technical knockout.

After the Wepner-Ali fight, Sylvester Stallone was inspired to write the script behind 'Rocky'. He based a large portion of the movie on Wepner's heroic standoff and his resilient boxing mindset.

Wepner would later go on to fight Andre the Giant in 1976 and lost by count-out after Andrew threw him out of the ring. His last professional boxing match was on May 2, 1978, against Scott Frank. Wepner lasted 12 rounds and proved himself a true fighter regardless of his loss.

The boxing legend is now 83 years old, but still stands 6ft 5in tall, with broad shoulders and heavily knuckled hands; bone calluses and many scars are a reminder of his fighting spirit.