Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo, a five-time national heavyweight champion, has died at the age of 89.
Chuvalo died on Saturday, his birthday, according to Sully’s Boxing Gym in Toronto, where he trained.
He had 93 professional fights during his career, recording 73 wins, 18 losses and two draws. He was never knocked down in any of those bouts.
“His photos have hung on our walls for decades. His stories have been passed down from one generation of fighters to the next,” Sully’s Boxing said in a statement.
Chuvalo fought Muhammad Ali twice, in 1966 and 1972. Although he lost both fights, Ali described him as the toughest man he had ever faced.
Born in 1937 to Croatian immigrant parents, Chuvalo grew up in Toronto and began boxing at a young age.
He became widely regarded as “Canada’s greatest warrior”, earning a reputation for his iron chin and remarkable durability.
His opponents included some of the biggest names in boxing, including Ali, George Foreman and Joe Frazier.
“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.”
Chuvalo retired from professional boxing in 1978 and later travelled across Canada as a public speaker, campaigning against drug abuse and promoting mental health awareness.
He had spoken openly about the devastating impact of drugs on his family after losing 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 said, according to a 1998 CBC Radio report.
Chuvalo also pursued acting after his boxing career, appearing in the 1998 comedy Dirty Work and the 1986 horror film The Fly, alongside Jeff Goldblum.
He later worked as a guest commentator for major boxing matches and co-hosted the television boxing programme 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.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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