Newly crowned Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali gets more of a fight than anticipated from gutsy contender Chuck Wepner. Wepner shockingly scores an official knockdown when he steps on Ali's foot while delivering a body shot in round nine. Ali responds by taking the fight to Wepner and blasting him down into the ropes in the fifteenth and final round. When Wepner struggles getting to his feet, Referee Tony Perez stops the fight that inspires Sylvester Stallone to write the masterpiece film Rocky.

Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner

Chuck Wepner vs Duane Bobick 

Chuck Wepner vs Terry Hinke 

Joe Bugner vs Chuck Wepner 

Sonny Liston v Chuck Wepner 

Foreman hit Wepner at will with a snappy left jab, stinging left hooks and solid rights. Foreman staggered Wepner with a volley of punches in the second round and cut him over the left eye. Early in the third round, Foreman split the cut wide open with a series of punches, and the referee stopped the fight.

Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner

Chuck Wepner vs Duane Bobick

Chuck Wepner vs Terry Hinke

Joe Bugner vs Chuck Wepner

Sonny Liston v Chuck Wepner

George Foreman vs Chuck Wepner

On this Day