Canadian boxing icon George Chuvalo, known for his two Ali fights, dies at 89

George Chuvalo, a renowned Canadian heavyweight boxing champion, passed away on his 89th birthday. Chuvalo, who trained at Sully's Boxing Gym in Toronto, had an illustrious career marked by his resilience and unwavering spirit. His two memorable bouts with Muhammad Ali in 1966 and 1972 earned him accolades for his tenacity and ability to hold his own against the legendary fighter.

Chuvalo's career, which spanned from 1956 to 1978, saw him hold the national title for almost two decades and achieve a record of 73 wins, 18 losses, and 2 draws. Despite his impressive record, he never succumbed to the canvas, earning him the reputation of having one of the best chins in boxing. Chuvalo's life was not without its struggles.

He lost his first wife and three sons to drugs and suicide, a pain that he claimed would not even be matched if every punch he took was multiplied by ten thousand. His legacy continues to inspire, as Lennox Lewis, another Canadian boxing star, described Chuvalo as an "icon," acknowledging his ability to give as good as he got, and then some.