Stallone Mum On 'Rocky' Lawsuit

Former heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner is suing actor Sylvester Stallone for a share of the profits from the "Rocky" movies, claiming the series was based on Wepner's career.

Wepner, who went nearly 15 punishing rounds in a 1975 loss to Muhammad Ali, claims in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in state Superior Court in Jersey City that Stallone repeatedly credits that fight as the inspiration for the 1976 Oscar-winning film. Four sequels followed.

"Stallone has been using Chuck's name - and continues to this day - in promoting the 'Rocky' franchise without any permission or compensation," said Anthony Mango, Wepner's lawyer.

Michelle Vega, Stallone's publicist, declined comment.

Mango estimates the five "Rocky" films and associated products have brought in over $1 billion. Wepner is entitled to part of that, the lawyer said.

"It's one thing to base a movie on someone, which you can do," Mango said. "It's another to continually harp on the name for selling and promoting without any permission or compensation, which you can't do."

According to Mango, the lawsuit claims Stallone made several promises to Wepner that he would be financially compensated over the years, but no payments were made.

Wepner was a New Jersey club fighter who had a string of victories and eventually caught the eye of boxing promoter Don King. Wepner earned the nickname, "The Bayonne Bleeder," for the punishment he received, even while winning.