Wepner, known as The Bayonne Bleeder (a reference to his hometown and the fact that he would bleed profusely in his fights) was a big banger. He'd hit hard and he could take a lot of punishment from other bangers. He fought Muhammad Ali in a story VERY similar to that of "Rocky". I don't know of his mob connections.

If you want to read about Jersey fighters and the mob I suggest (very strongly) that you read "Jersey Boy" about lightheavyweight Frankie DePaula. DePaula was one of my favorite fighters and I saw him box at the Garden two or three times. The book is a good read and gives some insight into the mob's connection with boxing. (DePaula was killed in the early '70s).