A Great Among Us

George Chuvalo, The Heavyweight Champion of Canada at both the amateur and professional levels, was never once knocked down or knocked out in the 97 fights that made up his boxing career between 1956 and 1979. He is remembered internationally for his toughness and ability to hold his own against the world’s top ranked boxers of his time. He fought twice for the Professional World’s Heavyweight title, once against Muhammad Ali, and as well against many other big names including Joe Frazier, Jack Dempsey, Jerry Quarry and Floyd Patterson. Against George Foreman, he was “swatted around the ring, beat to a pulp, and still, when the fight was stopped in the third round, there was Chuvalo, staring ahead blankly, holding his gloves up to the referee Arthur Mercante (whose blood spattered shirt spoke volumes), as if to say, what’s the big deal? He has since been inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame (1990), The World Boxing Hall of Fame (1997), was awarded a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame (2005) and was made a member of The Order of Canada in 1998 for his work as an activist against the use of drugs as three of his sons died from suicide and drug overdose resulting also in the death of his first wife from suicide.

Visit the links on this blog to see pictures, read about his experiences in and outside of the ring, watch video clips of fights, interviews and news stories and pay homage to Canada's Living Legend.

IN THE RING

THE FAMILY

FIGHTING BACK