Legendary Canadian boxer George Chuvalo dies aged 89
The heavyweight champion took on the likes of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, and was known for never once getting knocked out or knocked down.
Legendary Canadian boxer George Chuvalo dies aged 89
Canadian boxer George Chuvalo, a five-time national heavyweight champion, has died at 89.
Across 93 professional bouts in his career — 73 wins, 18 defeats and two draws — Chuvalo was never knocked to the canvas.
"His photos have hung on our walls for decades. His stories have been passed down from one generation of fighters to the next," said Sully's Boxing, the Toronto gym where he trained, in a statement.
He fought Muhammad Ali in 1966 and 1972, and although Chuvalo lost both contests, Ali described him as the toughest man he ever faced.
Chuvalo was born in 1937 to Croatian immigrant parents, raised in Toronto and took up boxing at an early age.
Widely regarded as "Canada's greatest warrior", Chuvalo was known for his iron chin, relentless toughness and bouts against world-famous fighters such as George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Ali.
"George Chuvalo was a heavyweight boxing legend, a family friend and a Canadian icon," Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote on social media.
"My thoughts are with all of George's family and loved ones as we mourn his passing."
After ending his professional boxing career in 1978, Chuvalo toured the country as a public speaker, promoting anti-drug education and mental health awareness.
Chuvalo said he lost three sons and his wife to drug overdoses and suicide.
"I'd like to think if you're ever tempted with the idea of doing drugs, or you ever flirt with doing drugs, I hope you think of me, George Chuvalo, and what drugs did to my family," he once said, according to a CBC Radio report in 1998.
In retirement, Chuvalo also tried acting, appearing in the 1998 comedy film Dirty Work and with Jeff Goldblum in the 1986 horror film The Fly.
He also worked as a guest commentator for major boxing matches and co-hosted a TV boxing show called Greatest Knockouts with his friend and fellow fighter Charles "Spider" Jones.
Chuvalo is survived by his eldest son Mitch, daughter Vanessa, grandchildren and second wife Joanne.
He died on Saturday, his birthday, said Sully's Boxing Gym.