WEPNER, CHUCK SIGNED PHOTO (POSING WITH ANDRE THE GIANT)

So along came June 25, 1976. On that night, Andre the Giant fought Chuck Wepner at Shea Stadium in New York in front of 30,000 fans. It was part of the Muhammad Ali-Antonio Inoki fiasco that was later telecast live from Tokyo on a huge three-sided screen on the infield. Wepner was known as the "Bayonne Bleeder" (he'd start to bleed, they'd say, while the referee was giving instructions in the ring). When it was time for the principals to enter the ring. Andre, a huge mass of a man, was the first to come through the ropes. Wepner followed and when he stood next to the Giant, he looked like a 6-5 shrimp. The bell rang and immediately Wepner, who was the only one wearing gloves, started to use his jab. He tried it over and over with none of them landing and the only reaction Wepner got out Andre was a malevolent smile. In the second round Andre threw his first punch, a chop on the back of Wepner's neck. "Ouch," you could hear Wepner shout. It was starting to get funny when, in the third round, the Giant figured he'd had enough. Andre went over to Wepner, picked him up (much like you'd pick up your baby brother) walked over to the ropes and tossed him in the direction of second base. It wasn't a bad throw, considering the ring was near the pitcher's mound.Had someone not broken Wepner's fall, he would've broken some bones. When it was over, Andre said, "I could've knocked him out in the first round, but he kept holding on the ropes." Wepner, ever the die-hard, countered: "He hit me (with) an illegal shot. I could'a beat him otherwise. Offered here is a signed photo of Chuck Wepner depicting him posing with Andre The Giant. What determined an illegal shot in this so-called bout never was revealed. As it turned out, Wepner never could deal with wrestlers. A few months after being airlifted by Andre, the "Bayonne Bleeder" was defeated by Antonio Inoki in Tokyo - the same wrestler who had "fought" Ali. The then 35-year-old Wepner was counted out in the sixth (of a scheduled 10-rounder that mixed boxing and wrestler).
This is an 8" x 10" promotional photo. Boldly signed in sharpie by Wepner, "To My Pal Denny Chuck Wepner." Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Mild fold in upper left corner.