A Curiosity. Wepner v Inoki

I wish this was a real fight so Wepner could have given Easter island head a bad beating.

 

If I'm not mistaken, that was back when sponges were real sponges as well. This section of ESB can appreciate the difference. The sponge used as the representative sample was said to have been harvested off the coast of the Greek sponge fishing community Tarpon Springs by Anton Christoforidis himself.

 

it looks like ye old Boston Crab did the job again. Wonder when this took place and how much Wepner got paid?

 

Wepner also "fought" Andre the Giant. That ''fight" was on the same card as Ali vs Inoki, June 26th 1976.

 

For what it's worth, here's a mini bio of Inoki I found on-line:

Japan's Antonio Inoki is a "living" legend in Asia. The greatest wrestler ever to step in the ring in Asia, he just may be the greatest wrestler of all times. One of the first great wrestlers to compete in "real" fights. Inoki has some of the most impressive fight stats in mat history. His professional wrestling record for single match competition was 611-41-50. His record for tag team matches was 1,466-105-130. His record for mixed martial arts fights was 30-2-3 with 9 knockouts. His overall fighting record was an amazing 2,107 victories, only 148 defeats, and 183 draws. His record in "real" fights is one of the most impressive in the sport's history; a 15 round draw with World's Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali, a submission win over former-heavyweight king Leon Spinks on Oct. 9, 1986, a knockout over World Lightheavyweight Kickboxing Champion Everett "Man Monster" Eddie in 7 rounds on June 7, 1978, a submission over former European Heavyweight Boxing Champ Karl Mildenberger on Nov. 11, 1978, a decision victory over heavyweight boxing contender Chuck Wepner, a submission over Thai-Boxing World Heavyweight King Chota Chochoshvili on Sept. 5, 1989, a choke out over Gerard Gordeau World Heavyweight Savate Champion, submission victories over former world wrestling heavyweight champions Sting and Rick Flair, and a submission victor over former UFC World Heavyweight king Don Frye. Inoki announced his retirement from the ring on April 4, 1998.

 

Good get. I saw the fight poster on-line today and it had both fights together like they were on the same card. My mistake :good

 

Quite an interesting fight, in a macabre sort of way. I take it that it wasn't entirely real though?

 

What makes you think that?

The reality is, it was a 'work'; what should of happened when Inoki fought Ali, and what did happen when he met Neon Leon in the mid 80s.

 

Ali vs Inoki was a huge disappointment. Not sure anyone knew exactly what to expect. But they did expect a whole lot more entertainment than what was delivered.

 

WE should be happy that the image of this happening to Ali never happened .. it easily could have ..

 

The image of Gorilla Monsoon spinning Ali around like a top was bad enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSJf8v-EFhk

 

So wrestling must be superior to boxing then :rasta