George Chuvalo
George Louis Chuvalo CM (born September 12, 1937) is a retired Canadian professional boxer who was a five-time Canadian heavyweight champion, and two-time world heavyweight title challenger. Chuvalo was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.[1]
George Chuvalo CM | |
---|---|
![]() Chuvalo in April 2010 | |
Statistics | |
Real name | Jure Čuvalo |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
Nationality | Canadian |
Born | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | September 12, 1937
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 93 |
Wins | 73 |
Wins by KO | 63 |
Losses | 18 |
Draws | 2 |
Early life and career
George was a child of Croatian immigrants Stipan and Katica from Herzegovina (Ljubuski). Chuvalo became the Canadian amateur heavyweight champion in May 1955, defeating Winnipeg's Peter Piper with a first-round KO in a tournament final in Regina, Saskatchewan. Chuvalo finished his amateur career with a 16–0–0 record, all by KO within four rounds. Nicknamed "Boom Boom", Chuvalo turned professional in 1956, knocking out four opponents in one night to win a heavyweight tournament held by former world's champion Jack Dempsey at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on April 26, 1956.[2]
Against Ali
Chuvalo is best known for his two fights against Muhammad Ali. He went the distance both times, in each case losing the decision by a wide margin on the scorecards. The first fight, on March 29, 1966 at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, was for Ali's world heavyweight title. "He's the toughest guy I ever fought", said Ali of Chuvalo after the fight.[3] Six years later in Vancouver, Chuvalo and Ali fought a rematch on May 1, 1972 when Ali was no longer world heavyweight champion. Ali won a unanimous 12-round decision.
Tributes and other appearances
On August 14, 2008, Chuvalo's kitchen was the featured renovation project on the Canadian TV series Holmes on Homes in an episode titled "Kitchen Knockout".[4]
During April 2010, Chuvalo was a special guest at the BC Golden Gloves tournament held at the Eagle Ridge Community Centre in Langford, British Columbia.[5]
On December 17, 2011, he came to Sarajevo to attend the unveiling of a statue in his honor in Ljubuški on Sunday, December 18, 2011.[6]
Professional boxing record
73 Wins (63 knockouts, 9 decisions), 18 Losses (0 knockouts, 17 decisions), 2 Draws[7] | |||||||
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
Win | 73–18–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | December 11, 1978 | ![]() |
Retained Canada Heavyweight title. |
Win | 72–18–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 | December 8, 1977 | ![]() |
Retained Canada Heavyweight title. McLeay was knocked out by a straight right hand. |
Win | 71–18–2 | ![]() |
KO | 9 | March 7, 1977 | ![]() |
Won vacant Canada Heavyweight title. |
Win | 70–18–2 | ![]() |
KO | 7 | October 30, 1973 | ![]() |
|
Win | 69–18–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | September 25, 1973 | ![]() |
|
Win | 68–18–2 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | September 5, 1972 | ![]() |
|
Win | 67–18–2 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | August 10, 1972 | ![]() |
Retained Canada Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 66–18–2 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | May 1, 1972 | ![]() |
For NABF Heavyweight title. 46–60, 51–59, 51–58 |
Win | 66–17–2 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | February 21, 1972 | ![]() |
|
Win | 65–17–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 6 | January 28, 1972 | ![]() |
Retained Canada Heavyweight title. Fight was stopped after Chase suffered a broken right hand. |
Win | 64–17–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | November 17, 1971 | ![]() |
98–93, 97–94, 98–93 |
Loss | 63–17–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | May 10, 1971 | ![]() |
|
Win | 63–16–2 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | December 11, 1970 | ![]() |
|
Win | 62–16–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 4 | November 5, 1970 | ![]() |
|
Win | 61–16–2 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | October 24, 1970 | ![]() |
|
Win | 60–16–2 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | August 15, 1970 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 59–16–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | August 4, 1970 | ![]() |
Corner stoppage. Chuvalo was rocked by a left hook and was taking punches in the corner without responding. |
Win | 59–15–2 | ![]() |
KO | 3 | June 30, 1970 | ![]() |
Reno was knocked down four times in the 3rd round. |
Win | 58–15–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 | May 10, 1970 | ![]() |
|
Win | 57–15–2 | ![]() |
KO | 10 | May 1, 1970 | ![]() |
|
Win | 56–15–2 | ![]() |
KO | 7 | December 12, 1969 | ![]() |
In round 7 Quarry was knocked down by a left hook on the top of the head. He rose at the count of 3, but decided to take a knee, he got up at the count of 10 instead of 9 and referee Zach Clayton declared the fight over at 2:59. |
Win | 55–15–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | November 16, 1969 | ![]() |
|
Win | 54–15–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | September 8, 1969 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 53–15–2 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | February 3, 1969 | ![]() |
2–10, 3–9, 3–8 |
Win | 53–14–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 7 | November 12, 1968 | ![]() |
|
Win | 52–14–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 5 | September 26, 1968 | ![]() |
Ramos was knocked down in the 5th round. |
Win | 51–14–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | September 17, 1968 | ![]() |
Brown signalled to the referee that he had enough, after he was knocked down twice in the 3rd round. |
Win | 50–14–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | September 3, 1968 | ![]() |
|
Win | 49–14–2 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | June 30, 1968 | ![]() |
|
Win | 48–14–2 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | June 5, 1968 | ![]() |
Won Canada Heavyweight title. Joe Louis was the referee. There were no knockdowns and neither fighter was in serious trouble. |
Loss | 47–14–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 4 | July 19, 1967 | ![]() |
|
Win | 47–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | June 22, 1967 | ![]() |
|
Win | 46–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | May 27, 1967 | ![]() |
|
Win | 45–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | April 4, 1967 | ![]() |
|
Win | 44–13–2 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | March 20, 1967 | ![]() |
|
Win | 43–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | February 22, 1967 | ![]() |
Wipperman was knocked down three times in the 3rd round. |
Win | 42–13–2 | ![]() |
KO | 4 | January 16, 1967 | ![]() |
|
Win | 41–13–2 | ![]() |
KO | 3 | December 16, 1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 40–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | November 28, 1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 39–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | November 21, 1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 38–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 5 | October 12, 1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 37–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | September 15, 1966 | ![]() |
Chuvalo walloped Avery to the canvas five times, before referee stopped the bout. |
Win | 36–13–2 | ![]() |
KO | 7 | August 16, 1966 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 35–13–2 | ![]() |
MD | 12 | June 23, 1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 35–12–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | May 15, 1966 | ![]() |
Forte's corner threw in the towel. |
Loss | 34–12–2 | ![]() |
UD | 15 | March 29, 1966 | ![]() |
For World Heavyweight title. 62–74, 63–74, 65–73 |
Loss | 34–11–2 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | January 25, 1966 | ![]() |
|
Win | 34–10–2 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | December 7, 1965 | ![]() |
Bygraves was knocked down in the 10th round. |
Loss | 33–10–2 | ![]() |
UD | 15 | November 1, 1965 | ![]() |
For WBA World Heavyweight title. |
Win | 33–9–2 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | August 17, 1965 | ![]() |
|
Win | 32–9–2 | ![]() |
KO | 3 | June 30, 1965 | ![]() |
|
Win | 31–9–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 | June 7, 1965 | ![]() |
|
Win | 30–9–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 8 | April 19, 1965 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 29–9–2 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | February 1, 1965 | ![]() |
1965 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine. |
Win | 29–8–2 | ![]() |
KO | 3 | November 10, 1964 | ![]() |
|
Win | 28–8–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 11 | October 2, 1964 | ![]() |
Jones was knocked down once in the 11th round, before referee Arthur Mercante stopped it. Chuvalo led on two of the three scorecards at the time of the stoppage. |
Win | 27–8–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | July 27, 1964 | ![]() |
|
Win | 26–8–2 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | March 18, 1964 | ![]() |
Won vacant Canada Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 25–8–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | January 17, 1964 | ![]() |
45–50, 42–49, 44–47 |
Draw | 25–7–2 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | November 8, 1963 | ![]() |
First decision had been win for Alongi, but recheck showed error in referee's card and commission changed decision. |
Win | 25–7–1 | ![]() |
MD | 10 | September 27, 1963 | ![]() |
DeJohn was knocked down in the 2nd and 6th rounds. |
Win | 24–7–1 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | May 18, 1963 | ![]() |
|
Win | 23–7–1 | ![]() |
KO | 4 | April 29, 1963 | ![]() |
|
Win | 22–7–1 | ![]() |
TKO | 6 | April 22, 1963 | ![]() |
|
Win | 21–7–1 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | March 15, 1963 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 20–7–1 | ![]() |
DQ | 5 | October 2, 1961 | ![]() |
Chuvalo was disqualified for headbutting. |
Loss | 20–6–1 | ![]() |
SD | 12 | August 8, 1961 | ![]() |
Lost Canada Heavyweight title. |
Win | 20–5–1 | ![]() |
TKO | 4 | June 27, 1961 | ![]() |
|
Win | 19–5–1 | ![]() |
SD | 10 | March 27, 1961 | ![]() |
|
Win | 18–5–1 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | November 23, 1960 | ![]() |
Won Canada Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 17–5–1 | ![]() |
SD | 12 | August 17, 1960 | ![]() |
Lost Canada Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 17–4–1 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | July 19, 1960 | ![]() |
|
Win | 17–3–1 | ![]() |
KO | 12 | November 17, 1959 | ![]() |
Retained Canada Heavyweight title. Durelle was knocked down once in the 1st and 9th rounds, twice in the 10th round, and again for the count in the 12th round. |
Win | 16–3–1 | ![]() |
TKO | 7 | September 14, 1959 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 15–3–1 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | October 17, 1958 | ![]() |
|
Win | 15–2–1 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | September 15, 1959 | ![]() |
Won vacant Canada Heavyweight title. Parker was knocked down three times. |
Draw | 14–2–1 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | June 16, 1958 | ![]() |
Miteff was knocked down in the 10th round. |
Win | 14–2 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | April 21, 1958 | ![]() |
|
Win | 13–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | January 27, 1958 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 12–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | September 9, 1957 | ![]() |
|
Win | 12–1 | ![]() |
KO | 4 | June 6, 1957 | ![]() |
Joe Schmolze fought this fight under the alias "Joe Olsen". Schmolze was a substitute for Kid Gage. |
Win | 11–1 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | April 22, 1957 | ![]() |
|
Win | 10–1 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | March 25, 1957 | ![]() |
|
Win | 9–1 | ![]() |
KO | 3 | March 4, 1957 | ![]() |
|
Win | 8–1 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | January 14, 1957 | ![]() |
|
Win | 7–1 | ![]() |
UD | 8 | November 19, 1956 | ![]() |
|
Loss | 6–1 | ![]() |
SD | 8 | October 22, 1956 | ![]() |
|
Win | 6–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | September 10, 1956 | ![]() |
|
Win | 5–0 | ![]() |
UD | 8 | June 11, 1956 | ![]() |
|
Win | 4–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | April 23, 1956 | ![]() |
Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament. |
Win | 3–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | April 23, 1956 | ![]() |
Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament. |
Win | 2–0 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | April 23, 1956 | ![]() |
Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament. |
Win | 1–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | April 23, 1956 | ![]() |
Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament. |
References
- "George Chuvalo". oshof.ca/. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
- Zawadzki, Edward (2001). The Ultimate Canadian Sports Trivia Book, Volume 1. Canada: Dundurn Press Ltd. p. 216. ISBN 9780888822376.
- "Great catcher poor pitcher, that's George", Jim Proudfoot, Toronto Star, March 30, 1966
- Episode: Kitchen Knockout, HGTV.ca: Holmes on Holmes, http://www.hgtv.ca/ontv/titledetails.aspx?titleid=111645 Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
- 2010 BC Golden Gloves program
- Jure Čuvalo (Georg Chuvalo) danas u Sarajevu, sutra u Ljubuškom http://www.hercegovina.info/vijesti/sport/borilacki-sportovi/jure-cuvalo-georg-chuvalo-jucer-u-sarajevu-danas-u-ljubuskom
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
</references/>^ Chuvalo, George (November 2013). "Lost Boys". Toronto Life Magazine.
External links
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to George Chuvalo. |
- Džordž (Jure) Čuvalo, najbolji kanadski bokser svih vremena: Nikad na kolenima – Tačno.net
- George Chuvalo's Official Fight Against Drugs Website
- Boxing record for George Chuvalo from BoxRec
- CBC Digital Archives – Still Standing: The People's Champion George Chuvalo
- Historica.ca – Footprints – George Chuvalo
- Ian Palmer's TigerBoxing article on Chuvalo
- The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia
- CBC Digital Archives. The Biggest Fight of George Chuvalo's Life
- George Chuvalo on IMDb