Chuck Wepner: has Ukrainian roots, knocked out Muhammad Ali and became the prototype of Rocky Balboa

#sports #boxing On February 26, Chuck Wepner, an American boxer who became the prototype of the famous cinematic character Rocky Balboa, turned 86. Few people know that Chuck Wepner is of Ukrainian origin. Rocky Balboa is the most famous fictional boxer, the hero of the film by Sylvester Stallone, as is known, had the nickname Italian Stallion. But if you look closely at the ethnic origin of its author Sylvester Stallone and his prototype Chuck Wepner, the picture will not be very Italian. Sylvester Stallone was inspired to create the script for the film “Rocky“ (1976) by the fight between the legendary world champion Muhammad Ali and the contender Chuck Wepner, which took place on March 24, 1975 in the city of Richfield (Ohio). The undisputed favorite defeated his opponent with great difficulty by technical knockout in the 15th round. And in the 9th round, Wepner sensationally knocked out the champion - the fourth and last in the career of The Greatest (The Greatest). It was this plot - when an outspoken un