Real life Rocky sues Stallone

A court will hear a former heavyweight boxer’s lawsuit against film star Sylvester Stallone.

Check Wepner claims his name was inappropriately used to promote the Rocky films. A trial date was not scheduled.

The judge told lawyers to take depositions and exchange information, and it’s possible the case will be resolved without a trial.

Wepner, 65, works as a drinks salesman. As a journeyman fighter nicknamed The Bayonne Bleeder, he was plucked from obscurity by promoter Don King and in 1975 lost a punishing 15 round world championship fight with Muhammad Ali.

Wepner contends, and Stallone does not contest, that the main character, Rocky Balboa, was based on Wepner and the plot of the first movie was inspired by the 1975 fight, the judge wrote.

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