[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF CHUCK WEPNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chuck Wepner for his 
outstanding boxing career.
  A Bayonne native, Mr. Wepner received no formal training, practicing 
at the gym part-time while working as a salesman during the day. In his 
prime, he was ranked in the top ten among some of greatest names in 
boxing, including George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Muhamad Ali.
  Mr. Wepner boasts a feat that few have matched: 30 years ago he boxed 
with Muhamad Ali and was able to knock him to the mat. Though 36 years 
old and ranked seventh at the time, he went a full 15 rounds with ``the 
Greatest.'' While Ali eventually won the March 24, 1975 fight, Mr. 
Wepner is one of only three men to have ever knocked him down. Adding 
to his achievement is the fact that Sylvester Stallone used Mr. 
Wepner's personal story of an underdog taking on a prize fighter as the 
basis for his ``Rocky'' movies. Mr. Stallone acknowledges he used many 
aspects of Mr. Wepner's life in the boxing films.
  Though retired from the ring, Mr. Wepner remains in contact with 
legends such as Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, and even Sylvester Stallone. 
Thirty years after his formidable fight, he is busy working as a 
motivational speaker at schools and various organizations across the 
country. Additionally, he is developing a movie project and considering 
writing a book.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chuck Wepner for 
his career achievements as a boxer. He has proven to be a strong, 
inspirational force both in and out of the ring, and I wish him the 
best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________