CHUCK WEPNER
Inducted on October 29, 1982
Another of the proud assets of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, is HONOREE CHUCK WEPNER, former
contender for the World's Heavyweight Boxing Championship. His induction, long overdue, continues to
propel prestige to the cfinest of all Halls of Fame throughout our great nation.
Chuck's record is an enviable one, both as an amateur: 81 bouts, 0 loses; (he was New York Golden
Gloves and AAU boxing champion). And during 10 years in professionalism, 41 victories.
Though his goal of world's titlist fell fractions below accomplishment, one can attribute Chuck's
prowess to the 'hard earned' efforts of four heavyweight champions; his opponents: Sonny Liston,
George Forman, Ernie Terrell and also Muhammad Ali . . .
In 1970 Wepner defeated Ernie Terrell for the North American championship. This excellence lasted
five years. As heavyweight champion of New Jersey his qualifications mastered this division for 16
years. It was these remarkable and commendable records which influenced promoter
Don King to solicit a Chuck Wepner versus Muhammad Ali bout.
Many boxing critics deplored King's attempt. Wepner, they said, wouldn't stand a chance. "It'll be
murder." "Ali will cut him to bits." "The Bayonne bleeder winning? No way." Such controversial
decisions were cast. Many an ego deflated... many, but not ALL.
At the Greater Paterson Sportsman Dinner, a very eloquent speaker, WBA Commissioner Abe J. Greene
stepped to the podium and said: "Yes, our Chuck Wepner isn't given a chance against Ali tomorrow
night. But permit me to tell you about Chuck. I have been watching him through the ranks. At the
start of that 15th round he may be bleeding but Bayonne's best will still be there."
How perfect an evaluation of a real champion. Then on March 24 before a TV audience of many
millions, the description of Commissioner Greene, "Our Chuck Wepner will still be there," became a
reality.
Wepner's long left, deeply set in the plans of his opponent, kept Ali baffled. Time and again Ali
appeared amateurish while Wepner stalked him. It was a night Ali would always remember. Chuck stood
toe to toe throwing combinations to the head and body. Ali displayed a bewildered expression during
intervals of the bout. Suddenly Chuck delivered a hard right to the body. Ali hit the canvas. The
hungry crowd roared for the finish. . . Wepner was very close to another title.
Yes, Commissioner, our Chuck was there! How enthused we are having him enshrined alongside you and
our many ring greats. A champion among champions. . . Larkin; Galento; Cochrane; Lamorte; Lesnevich;
Walker; Cavaliere; Williams; Braddock and Walcott.
It is with much enthusiasm and great respect to name Chuck Wepner. . . Honoree, New Jersey Boxing
Hall of Fame.
MARIO J. CENTI,
President.
Chuck Wepner
Alias Bayonne Bleeder
Country US American
Hometown Bayonne, NJ
Birthplace New York City, NY
Division Heavyweight
Born 1939-02-26
Manager Al Bravermann
Career Record © www.boxrec.com
Date Opponent Location Result
1964-08-05 George Cooper Bayonne, NJ, USA W KO 3
1964-08-14 Rudy Pavesi New York, NY, USA W PTS 4
1964-10-27 Everett Copeland Long Island City, NY, USA D PTS 6
1964-12-18 Jerry Tomasetti New York, NY, USA W PTS 4
1965-01-19 Ray Patterson Long Island City, NY, USA W SD 6
1965-03-23 Everett Copeland Long Island City, NY, USA D PTS 6
1965-10-19 Bob Stallings Long Island City, NY, USA L PTS 6
1966-01-07 Buster Mathis New York, NY, USA L TKO 3
1966-02-22 Jerry Tomasetti Long Island City, NY, USA W PTS 6
1966-04-06 Cleo Daniels White Plains, NY, USA W PTS 6
1966-08-03 Johnny Deutsch Scranton, PA, USA W KO 6
1966-10-21 Dave Centi New York, NY, USA W PTS 6
1967-04-28 Don McAteer Jersey City, NJ, USA W TKO 7
1967-07-19 Jerry Tomasetti New York, NY, USA L TKO 5
1967-11-27 Charlie Emperor Harris Secaucus, NJ, USA W KO 6
1968-01-22 Clay Thomas Secaucus, NJ, USA W TKO 3
1968-04-30 Eddie Vick Walpole, MA, USA W PTS 10
1968-05-20 Mike Bruce Secaucus, NJ, USA W PTS 8
1968-09-26 Forest Ward New York, NY, USA W TKO 7
1968-11-09 Mert Brownfield Scranton, PA, USA W PTS 10
1968-12-13 Jerry Tomasetti New York, NY, USA W TKO 1
1969-03-14 Roberto Davila New York, NY, USA W MD 10
1969-04-28 Mike Bruce Secaucus, NJ, USA W PTS 8
1969-06-22 Jose Roman San Juan, Puerto Rico L PTS 10
1969-08-18 George Foreman New York, NY, USA L TKO 3
1969-12-19 Pedro Agosto New York, NY, USA W PTS 10
1970-01-26 Manuel Ramos New York, NY, USA W UD 10
1970-06-29 Sonny Liston Jersey City, NJ, USA L TKO 10
1970-09-08 Joe Bugner Wembley, London, England L TKO 3
1971-01-06 Jerry Judge Scranton, PA, USA L TKO 5
1971-09-16 Jesse Crown North Bergen, NJ, USA W KO 4
1971-10-14 Mike Boswell North Bergen, NJ, USA W KO 10
1971-12-09 Randy Neumann North Bergen, NJ, USA L PTS 12
1972-04-15 Randy Neumann Jersey City, NJ, USA W PTS 12
1972-12-07 John Clohessy Bayonne, NJ, USA W PTS 10
1973-03-15 Billy Marquart North Bergen, NJ, USA W PTS 12
1973-06-23 Ernie Terrell Atlantic City, NJ, USA W PTS 12
1974-01-17 Billy Williams North Bergen, NJ, USA W PTS 10
1974-03-08 Randy Neumann New York, NY, USA W TKO 7
1974-05-23 Charley Polite North Bergen, NJ, USA W KO 4
1974-09-03 Terry Hinke Salt Lake City, UT, USA W TKO 11
1975-03-24 Muhammad Ali Richfield, OH, USA L TKO 15
WBC Heavyweight Title
WBA Heavyweight Title
1975-11-13 Jimmy Evans Portland, ME, USA W KO 4
1975-11-29 Johnny Dolan Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA W KO 3
1976-05-06 Tommy Sheehan Kearny, NJ, USA W KO 2
1976-10-02 Duane Bobick Utica, NY, USA L TKO 6
1977-02-19 Mike Schutte Johannesburg, GT, South A L PTS 10
1977-05-20 Horst Him Geisler Binghamton, NY, USA L TKO 10
1978-04-07 Johnny Blaine North Bergen, NJ, USA W KO 3
1978-06-02 Tom Healy Jersey City, NJ, USA W KO 5
1978-09-26 Scott Frank Totowa, NJ, USA L PTS 12
Record to Date
Won 35 (KOs 17) Lost 14 Drawn 2 Total 51
Boxer Hall of Famer lists by name:
A-C
D-F
G-L
M-P
Q-T
U-ZMain page
