Large Crowd Attends Wepner Statue Ceremony in Bayonne
Posted November 14, 2022The Champ: Chuck Wepner stands next to his statue after it was unveiled on Saturday, November 12, at Dennis P. Collins Park.
On Saturday, November 12, 2022 a crowd of several hundred people attended the unveiling ceremony for the statue of boxing champion Chuck Wepner at Dennis P. Collins Park. The statue was created by Zhen Wu, a Chinese-born artist who lives in Bayonne. Among those at the ceremony were boxing greats Jerry Cooney, Larry Holmes, and Iran Barkley. Also in attendance were former New Jersey Governors Dick Codey and Jim McGreevey, State Assemblyman Will Sampson, Congressman-elect Rob Menendez, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Hudson County Chief of Staff Craig Guy, Hudson County Commissioner Kenny Kopacz, Mayor Jimmy Davis, and City Council Members Gary LaPelusa, Juan Perez, Loyad Booker, Neil Carroll, and Jacqueline Weimmer.
Marine Corps representatives marched in to open the ceremony. Their presence honored Chuck Wepner’s Marine Corps service.