Editing Chuck Wepner (section)

== Later life ==
After his retirement from boxing, Wepner began abusing drugs. In 1979, Sylvester Stallone wanted to cast Wepner as a sparring partner in ''[[Rocky II]]'', but he failed the audition due to his drug problems.<ref name="usa" />

In November 1985, Wepner was arrested on drug charges when he was found with four ounces of [[cocaine]] in an undercover police investigation. Under a plea-bargain agreement, he was sentenced in 1988 to ten years in prison.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boxing Wepner, Once Fought Ali, Gets 10 Years For Drugs |publisher=Sun Sentinel |date=March 16, 1988}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/16/sports/sports-people-wepner-sentenced.html |title=Wepner Sentenced |date=March 16, 1988 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> He served 17 months in [[Northern State Prison]], [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], New Jersey, then spent another 20 months in New Jersey's intensive supervision program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/34796387/daily_news/ |title=Bayonne & Back for Ali, Wepner |last=Katz |first=Michael |date=June 7, 1991 |website=Daily News |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 11, 2019}}</ref>

In 2003, Wepner sued Sylvester Stallone, seeking payment for his use as the inspiration for ''Rocky'' and the film series. The lawsuit was settled with Stallone in 2006 for an undisclosed amount.<ref name="The Real Rocky2" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2543201 |title='Bayonne Bleeder' settles Rocky suit vs. Stallone |date=August 8, 2006 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=August 11, 2019}}</ref>

As of 2010, Wepner had been working for 10 years with his third wife Linda in the liquor sales field for Majestic Wines and Spirits in [[Carlstadt, New Jersey]], and was an expert in consumer liquors, wines and spirits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/professional/35-years-after-facing-muhammad-ali-bayonne-bleeder-chuck-wepner-still-pulls-no-punches |title=35 years after facing Muhammad Ali, 'Bayonne Bleeder' Chuck Wepner still pulls no punches &#124; Professional &#124; NewJerseyNewsroom.com – Your State. Your News |publisher=NewJerseyNewsroom.com |date=March 23, 2010 |access-date=November 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007214011/http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/professional/35-years-after-facing-muhammad-ali-bayonne-bleeder-chuck-wepner-still-pulls-no-punches |archive-date=October 7, 2011}}</ref>

A film about Wepner's career was released in 2012,<ref>{{cite web |author=New Jersey |url=http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2011/09/politi_chuck_wepner_the_real_r.html |title=Politi: Chuck Wepner, the real 'Rocky,' to have his story told by Hollywood, ESPN documentary |date=September 4, 2011 |publisher=NJ.com |access-date=November 20, 2012}}</ref> and ESPN aired a documentary titled ''The Real Rocky'' on October 25, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/09/22/wepner.boxing/index.html |publisher=CNN |title=After 36 years, real-life Rocky's story coming soon |date=September 23, 2011}}</ref> The ESPN film features a clip of Wepner's ninth round knockdown of Muhammad Ali in their 1975 world heavyweight title bout.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_92K8k31rU |title=ESPN Films – Chuck Wepner Knocks Down Muhammed Ali |publisher=YouTube |date=October 30, 1974 |access-date=November 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110144156/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_92K8k31rU |archive-date=November 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/chuck-wepner-rocky-inspiration-sues-868617 Wepner sues over 'Copycat' film]. Wepner, the boxer who inspired the character of Rocky Balboa, is preparing for a legal fight over his life story.</ref>

=== Ring appearances ===
Wepner occasionally makes ringside appearances at boxing cards in his home state of New Jersey, signing autographs and posing for photos with boxing fans. On October 12, 2012, Wepner appeared ringside with former World Light Heavyweight champion [[Mike Rossman]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], at a [[Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City]] fight card featuring a WBA NABA Lightweight title bout in the main event. Wepner held the WBA NABA heavyweight title during his boxing career.