Canadian Boxing Icon George Chuvalo, Known for His Two Ali Fights, Dies at 89
The Toronto heavyweight went 73-18-4 with 64 knockouts and became a national symbol after his 15-round loss to Muhammad Ali.
- Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo died at age 89 on Sunday, September 13, 2026, friends and family confirmed. The hard-nosed heavyweight passed away after a professional career spanning 1956 to 1978.
- Throughout his career, Chuvalo became a five-time Canadian heavyweight champion with a record of 73 wins, 64 by knockout, and 18 losses. He remains best known for never being knocked down across 93 professional fights.
- His 1966 title challenge against Muhammad Ali at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens transformed Chuvalo into a national hero. Ali, who won the 15-round bout, later called Chuvalo "the toughest guy he ever fought."
- Beyond the ring, Chuvalo suffered immense personal tragedy, losing three sons and his first wife to drugs and suicide. He dedicated his life visiting schools across Canada to deliver an anti-drug message.
- Inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and named to the Order of Canada in 1998, Chuvalo leaves an enduring legacy. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called him "a Canadian icon," mourning the legend's passing.
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Rocky Mountain Outlook
A look at top fights of George Chuvalo's career
George Chuvalo went 73-18-4 with 64 knockouts between 1956 and 1978. Some 50 years after his milestone fight with Muhammad Ali, here is a look at some of the top fights of the Toronto heavyweight's career: Sept.
Canadian boxing great George Chuvalo dead at 89: reports
Canadian boxing great George Chuvalo has died at the age of 89, according to several published reports. The cause of Chuvalo’s death – which occurred on his birthday – was not immediately known. The World Boxing Council (WBC), which sanctions international boxing matches, posted a tribute to the Toronto-born fighter on its website Saturday. “Widely […]
Legendary Canadian boxer George Chuvalo dies on 89th birthday
See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source Legendary Canadian boxer George Chuvalo, famous for never being knocked down in the ring, but battled dementia and was bedridden in his later years, died Saturday on his 89th birthday. His passing was announced by a family friend on social media. “It’s with […]
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