Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo, a five-time national heavyweight champion, has died at the age of 89.
Chuvalo had a professional record of 73 wins, 18 losses and two draws across 93 fights. One of the most remarkable parts of his career was that he was never knocked down in any of his professional bouts.
Born in 1937, Chuvalo grew up in Toronto in a family of Croatian immigrants and started boxing at a young age. He later became widely known as one of Canada's greatest fighters, earning a reputation for his toughness, durability and ability to take punches.
George Chuvalo fought Muhammad Ali twice
Chuvalo faced boxing great Muhammad Ali twice during his career, first in 1966 and again in 1972. He lost both fights, but Ali later described Chuvalo as the toughest fighter he had ever faced.
Chuvalo also shared the ring with other major names in boxing, including George Foreman and Joe Frazier.
His toughness became one of the defining features of his career. Sully's Boxing, the Toronto gym where he trained, paid tribute to him, saying his photographs had been on its walls for decades and that his stories had been passed from one generation of fighters to another.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also remembered Chuvalo as a "heavyweight boxing legend", a family friend and a Canadian icon.
Chuvalo became an advocate after boxing
Chuvalo retired from professional boxing in 1978 but continued to remain involved in public life.
He travelled across Canada as a public speaker, focusing on anti-drug education and mental health awareness. Chuvalo had spoken publicly about the devastating impact of drugs and suicide on his own family after losing three sons and his wife.
His experiences shaped much of his work after retirement. He used his personal story to warn others about the consequences of drug use and to raise awareness around mental health.
George Chuvalo also worked in television and films
Away from boxing, Chuvalo also appeared in films and television. He had a role in the 1998 comedy Dirty Work and appeared alongside Jeff Goldblum in the 1986 horror film The Fly.
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 his second wife Joanne.
