By Mark Vester
Former Muhammad Ali opponent and the inspiration for the movie Rocky, Chuck Wepner, was sentenced to one day in jail (already served), 90 days home detention and a $2,000 fine in a San Diego federal District Court. Wepner faced up to five years for his role in a mail order scam to sell fake autographs of Muhammad Ali, and other fighters.
Wepner pled guilty to mail fraud conspiracy last month. Brian Ginsberg, owner of a sports memorabilia store in Long Island, New York, is the mastermind of the scam.
Wepner is currently suing Sylvester Stallone, claiming that Stallone allegedly promised him compensation for being inspired by his fight with Ali to make the hit movie Rocky.