The Real Rocky
- Documentary
Chuck Wepner is a liquor salesman from Bayonne, N.J., 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.
The Real Rocky is a 2011 documentary that tells the true story of Chuck Wepner, the New Jersey boxer whose life inspired Sylvester Stallone to write the Academy Award-winning Rocky. The film explores how Wepner faced Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston in the ring, yet remained largely uncredited for inspiring one of cinema's greatest underdog stories.
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Chuck WepnerSelf
Sylvester StalloneSelf
Muhammad AliSelf (archive footage)
George ForemanSelf
Don KingSelf
Vince McMahonSelf
Sonny ListonSelf (archive footage)
Mike DouglasSelf (archive footage)
James BrownSelf (archive footage)
Hulk HoganSelf (archive footage)
André RoussimoffSelf (archive footage)
Howard CosellSelf (archive footage)
Irwin WinklerSelf
Jake LaMottaSelf (archive footage)- Jerry IzenbergSelf
Trailer
ESPN Films - ESPN Films The Real Rocky Chuck Wepner
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The Real Rocky — frequently asked
When was The Real Rocky released?
The Real Rocky was released on October 25, 2011.
Who is Chuck Wepner?
Chuck Wepner is a former New Jersey State Heavyweight Boxing Champion and liquor salesman from Bayonne who inspired Sylvester Stallone to write Rocky. He fought notable opponents including Muhammad Ali, Sonny Liston, Andre the Giant, and famously boxed a 900-pound bear twice.
How is Chuck Wepner connected to Rocky?
Wepner's life and boxing career directly inspired Stallone to write Rocky, which went on to win three Academy Awards, though Wepner was largely left out of the film's recognition and success.
What is the documentary about?
The film follows Wepner's journey as a boxer who faced elite fighters, his inspiration of the Rocky franchise, and his unconventional career moves including wrestling Andre the Giant and fighting a bear.
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