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 nameJure Čuvalo
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
NationalityCanadian
Born (1937-09-12) September 12, 1937
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights93
Wins73
Wins by KO63
Losses18
Draws2

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 George Jerome TKO 3 December 11, 1978 St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, Canada Retained Canada Heavyweight title.
Win 72–18–2 Earl McLeay TKO 1 December 8, 1977 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Retained Canada Heavyweight title. McLeay was knocked out by a straight right hand.
Win 71–18–2 Bob Felstein KO 9 March 7, 1977 North York Centennial Centre, Toronto, Canada Won vacant Canada Heavyweight title.
Win 70–18–2 Mike Boswell KO 7 October 30, 1973 Twin Rinks, Cheektowaga, New York, United States
Win 69–18–2 Tony Ventura TKO 3 September 25, 1973 Twin Rinks, Cheektowaga, New York, United States
Win 68–18–2 Charlie Boston KO 2 September 5, 1972 Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Win 67–18–2 Tommy Burns KO 1 August 10, 1972 Nelson, British Columbia, Canada Retained Canada Heavyweight title.
Loss 66–18–2 Muhammad Ali UD 12 May 1, 1972 Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada For NABF Heavyweight title. 46–60, 51–59, 51–58
Win 66–17–2 Jim Christopher KO 2 February 21, 1972 Winnipeg Arena, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Win 65–17–2 Charley Chase TKO 6 January 28, 1972 Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Retained Canada Heavyweight title. Fight was stopped after Chase suffered a broken right hand.
Win 64–17–2 Cleveland Williams UD 10 November 17, 1971 Astrodome, Houston, Texas, United States 98–93, 97–94, 98–93
Loss 63–17–2 Jimmy Ellis UD 10 May 10, 1971 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 63–16–2 Charles Couture KO 2 December 11, 1970 Austintown Fitch High School Gym, Youngstown, Ohio, United States
Win 62–16–2 Tony Ventura TKO 4 November 5, 1970 Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 61–16–2 Tommy Burns KO 1 October 24, 1970 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Win 60–16–2 Mike Bruce KO 2 August 15, 1970 Kosevo Stadium, Sarajevo, Yugoslavia
Loss 59–16–2 George Foreman TKO 3 August 4, 1970 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States Corner stoppage. Chuvalo was rocked by a left hook and was taking punches in the corner without responding.
Win 59–15–2 Charlie Reno KO 3 June 30, 1970 Seattle, Washington, D.C., United States Reno was knocked down four times in the 3rd round.
Win 58–15–2 Gino Ricci TKO 1 May 10, 1970 Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada
Win 57–15–2 Willie Tiger KO 10 May 1, 1970 Fairgrounds, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 56–15–2 Jerry Quarry KO 7 December 12, 1969 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States 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 Leslie Borden TKO 3 November 16, 1969 Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada
Win 54–15–2 Stamford Harris TKO 3 September 8, 1969 Exhibition Pavilion, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Loss 53–15–2 Buster Mathis UD 12 February 3, 1969 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States 2–10, 3–9, 3–8
Win 53–14–2 Dante Cane TKO 7 November 12, 1968 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 52–14–2 Manuel Ramos TKO 5 September 26, 1968 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States Ramos was knocked down in the 5th round.
Win 51–14–2 Vic Brown TKO 3 September 17, 1968 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada Brown signalled to the referee that he had enough, after he was knocked down twice in the 3rd round.
Win 50–14–2 Levi Forte TKO 2 September 3, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Win 49–14–2 Johnny Featherman KO 1 June 30, 1968 Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
Win 48–14–2 Jean-Claude Roy UD 12 June 5, 1968 Exhibition Stadium, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Won Canada Heavyweight title. Joe Louis was the referee. There were no knockdowns and neither fighter was in serious trouble.
Loss 47–14–2 Joe Frazier TKO 4 July 19, 1967 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States
Win 47–13–2 Archie Ray TKO 2 June 22, 1967 Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, United States
Win 46–13–2 Willi Besmanoff TKO 3 May 27, 1967 Cocoa, Florida, United States
Win 45–13–2 Willi Besmanoff TKO 3 April 4, 1967 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Win 44–13–2 Buddy Moore KO 2 March 20, 1967 Four Seasons Arena, Walpole, Massachusetts, United States
Win 43–13–2 Dick Wipperman TKO 3 February 22, 1967 Armory, Akron, Ohio, United States Wipperman was knocked down three times in the 3rd round.
Win 42–13–2 Vic Brown KO 4 January 16, 1967 Four Seasons Arena, Walpole, Massachusetts, United States
Win 41–13–2 Willie McCormick KO 3 December 16, 1966 Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Win 40–13–2 Dave Russell TKO 2 November 28, 1966 Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Win 39–13–2 Boston Jacobs TKO 3 November 21, 1966 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 38–13–2 Dick Wipperman TKO 5 October 12, 1966 Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 37–13–2 Bob Avery TKO 2 September 15, 1966 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Chuvalo walloped Avery to the canvas five times, before referee stopped the bout.
Win 36–13–2 Mel Turnbow KO 7 August 16, 1966 Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 35–13–2 Oscar Bonavena MD 12 June 23, 1966 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States
Win 35–12–2 Levi Forte TKO 2 May 15, 1966 Miner's Forum, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada Forte's corner threw in the towel.
Loss 34–12–2 Muhammad Ali UD 15 March 29, 1966 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada For World Heavyweight title. 62–74, 63–74, 65–73
Loss 34–11–2 Eduardo Corletti PTS 10 January 25, 1966 Olympia, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Win 34–10–2 Joe Bygraves PTS 10 December 7, 1965 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom Bygraves was knocked down in the 10th round.
Loss 33–10–2 Ernie Terrell UD 15 November 1, 1965 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada For WBA World Heavyweight title.
Win 33–9–2 Orvin Veazey KO 2 August 17, 1965 Exhibition Stadium, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Win 32–9–2 Dave Bailey KO 3 June 30, 1965 Exhibition Stadium, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Win 31–9–2 Ed Sonny Andrews TKO 1 June 7, 1965 Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Win 30–9–2 Bill Nielsen TKO 8 April 19, 1965 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Loss 29–9–2 Floyd Patterson UD 12 February 1, 1965 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States 1965 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine.
Win 29–8–2 Calvin Butler KO 3 November 10, 1964 Hull, Quebec, Canada
Win 28–8–2 Doug Jones TKO 11 October 2, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States 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 Don Prout TKO 3 July 27, 1964 Sargent Field, New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
Win 26–8–2 Hugh Mercier KO 1 March 18, 1964 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Won vacant Canada Heavyweight title.
Loss 25–8–2 Zora Folley UD 10 January 17, 1964 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, United States 45–50, 42–49, 44–47
Draw 25–7–2 Tony Alongi PTS 10 November 8, 1963 Miami Beach, Florida, United States First decision had been win for Alongi, but recheck showed error in referee's card and commission changed decision.
Win 25–7–1 Mike DeJohn MD 10 September 27, 1963 Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States DeJohn was knocked down in the 2nd and 6th rounds.
Win 24–7–1 Lloyd Washington KO 2 May 18, 1963 Central High Field House, Battle Creek, Michigan, United States
Win 23–7–1 Chico Gardner KO 4 April 29, 1963 London, Ontario, Canada
Win 22–7–1 James Wakefield TKO 6 April 22, 1963 Arena, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Win 21–7–1 Rico Brooks TKO 2 March 15, 1963 Arena, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Loss 20–7–1 Joe Erskine DQ 5 October 2, 1961 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Chuvalo was disqualified for headbutting.
Loss 20–6–1 Bob Cleroux SD 12 August 8, 1961 Delormier Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Lost Canada Heavyweight title.
Win 20–5–1 Willi Besmanoff TKO 4 June 27, 1961 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 19–5–1 Alex Miteff SD 10 March 27, 1961 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 18–5–1 Bob Cleroux UD 12 November 23, 1960 Forum, Quebec, Canada Won Canada Heavyweight title.
Loss 17–5–1 Bob Cleroux SD 12 August 17, 1960 Delormier Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Lost Canada Heavyweight title.
Loss 17–4–1 Pete Rademacher UD 10 July 19, 1960 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 17–3–1 Yvon Durelle KO 12 November 17, 1959 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada 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 Frankie Daniels TKO 7 September 14, 1959 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Loss 15–3–1 Pat McMurtry UD 10 October 17, 1958 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States
Win 15–2–1 James J. Parker KO 1 September 15, 1959 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada Won vacant Canada Heavyweight title. Parker was knocked down three times.
Draw 14–2–1 Alex Miteff PTS 10 June 16, 1958 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada Miteff was knocked down in the 10th round.
Win 14–2 Howard King KO 2 April 21, 1958 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 13–2 Julio Mederos UD 10 January 27, 1958 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Loss 12–2 Bob Baker UD 10 September 9, 1957 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 12–1 Joe Schmolze KO 4 June 6, 1957 Fort William, Ontario, Canada Joe Schmolze fought this fight under the alias "Joe Olsen". Schmolze was a substitute for Kid Gage.
Win 11–1 Emil Brtko TKO 2 April 22, 1957 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 10–1 Moses Graham KO 2 March 25, 1957 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 9–1 Walter Hafer KO 3 March 4, 1957 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 8–1 Sid Russell KO 1 January 14, 1957 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 7–1 Bob Biehler UD 8 November 19, 1956 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Loss 6–1 Howard King SD 8 October 22, 1956 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 6–0 Joe Evans KO 1 September 10, 1956 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 5–0 John Arthur UD 8 June 11, 1956 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Win 4–0 Ed McGee KO 1 April 23, 1956 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament.
Win 3–0 Ross Gregory KO 1 April 23, 1956 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament.
Win 2–0 Jim Leonard KO 2 April 23, 1956 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament.
Win 1–0 Gordon Baldwin TKO 2 April 23, 1956 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament.

References
  1. "George Chuvalo". oshof.ca/. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  2. Zawadzki, Edward (2001). The Ultimate Canadian Sports Trivia Book, Volume 1. Canada: Dundurn Press Ltd. p. 216. ISBN 9780888822376.
  3. "Great catcher poor pitcher, that's George", Jim Proudfoot, Toronto Star, March 30, 1966
  4. 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.
  5. 2010 BC Golden Gloves program
  6. 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
  7. "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.

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