Wepner was the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone in his creation of the Rocky franchise of movies. An ex-Marine, Wepner won the Golden Gloves boxing competition in 1964 and launched a professional boxing career during which he fought the greatest of the greats, including Sonny Liston, George Foreman, and Ernie Terrell - as well as Muhammad Ali, in a 1975 bout which led to him knock Ali down in the ninth round and lasted virtually the entire 15 rounds (until Wepner was stopped with just 19 seconds left in the fight).

Indeed, it was Wepner's determination and persistence in the ring with Ali, the greatest fighter of all time, that earned him the respect and admiration of millions around the world and solidified his place among boxing lore and on the silver screen.

Wepner's newly found fame after his bout with Ali and the success of the Rocky films proved a bit too much to handle, as he served time in a New Jersey state prison in connection with a drug-related charge. However, Wepner turned negative into positive, and today speaks to youth groups and adults alike about the lessons learned from a life in the ring - and the pitfalls of life that can knock you down.

Wepner's "everyday man" approach and his relatable demeanor, coupled with his impeccable comedic timing, make him a compelling motivational speaker with a unique flair. The lessons and the stories compiled over many years by someone who has truly lived a full life are translatable to any group as a message of determination, persistence, and taking life's punches without going down.

Sales, Sports Motivation, Inspirational, College, Customer Service, Hot Campus Topics, Motivational, Athlete, Sports Speakers, Business, Keynote, Sports