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20 October 2011

Chuck Wepner: 'The Real Rocky' to be screened on ESPN October 25


Chuck Wepner is a liquor salesman from Bayonne, NJ 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.

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.

Through interviews, photos and footage, director Jeff Feurerzeig tells Wepner’s story of being the “real Rocky”, the man who went almost the full 15 rounds with Ali in 1975 to inspire the Oscar-winning movie.  In many ways, Wepner’s real-life story is actually more captivating than the one that has raked in more than $1 billion.

ESPN Films, creators of the Emmy-nominated and Peabody award-winning 30 for 30 film series, is airing a new film each Tuesday night through November 8.  The remaining films of the series will air as follows:

·         Tuesday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. – The Real Rocky (Jeff Feuerzeig/Mike Tollin)
·         Tuesday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m. –  Unguarded (Jonathan Hock/Philip Aromando)
·         Tuesday, Nov. 8, 8 p.m. – Roll Tide/War Eagle (Martin Khodabakhshian/Joe Tessitore)

**Screeners available upon request**

ESPN Films’ new slate of documentaries will be available on iTunes and Amazon.com the day after each film’s broadcast premiere and will be available on DVD shortly thereafter at major retailers. A compilation of films from the series will be available in a collectible DVD Gift Set this holiday season.
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