The Real Rocky Review

: Stallone went home and reportedly wrote the script for Rocky in just three days, capturing the spirit of a man who didn't necessarily win, but "went the distance". Life After the Ring

: In the ninth round, Wepner did the unthinkable—he knocked Muhammad Ali to the canvas. It was only the fourth time in Ali's career he had been knocked down. The Real Rocky

Today, Wepner is finally getting his due beyond the shadow of the silver screen. His life story has been documented in the ESPN documentary " The Real Rocky " and the 2017 biopic Chuck , starring Liev Schreiber. : Stallone went home and reportedly wrote the

: Wepner later sued Stallone for using his life story to promote the franchise without compensation. They eventually reached a private out-of-court settlement in 2006. Today, Wepner is finally getting his due beyond

While Wepner was the primary catalyst, the character of Rocky Balboa is a mosaic of several boxing legends:

Unlike the fictional Rocky, Wepner's life outside the ring was often chaotic. While Balboa found lasting redemption, Wepner faced a series of personal struggles.

: Stallone actually tried to cast Wepner in Rocky II as a sparring partner, but Wepner famously blew the audition after a two-day partying bender.