Mural of heavyweight champ started

BAYONNE – Work has begun on the mural honoring hometown hero Chuck Wepner that will be unveiled on March 21 in the city.
The Bayonne Community Development Department-sponsored piece is being painted to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Wepner’s heavyweight title bout with then-champion Muhammad Ali on March 24, 1975.
The mural pictures Wepner in his boxing trunks and gloves and in a ready-to-fight pose.
During his boxing days, Wepner held both the North American and New Jersey State heavyweight championships.
Wepner went nearly the full distance in the bout with Ali, only losing by technical knockout with 19 seconds left in the 15th and final round.
The mural is currently being painted by a team of artists on a parachute-like canvas, which will then be affixed to the outside wall of Andrew’s Café at 33rd Street and Broadway. – Joseph Passantino