Legendary Canadian boxer George Chuvalo dies aged 89 - BBC News                            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8zv8v1z7zo)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8zv8v1z7zo)  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8zv8v1z7zo)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8zv8v1z7zo)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-36.413a37b227.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-48.010dc96bcf.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-57.1fcd0dc805.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-60.52f68a148f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-72.f155fdb25f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-76.cb5ee392d4.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-96.35ee2d1e20.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-114.7ccdf53cba.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-120.73e20442a9.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-128.060d346f09.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-144.e08bc23631.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-152.4de1981be0.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-180.1a18cb7b72.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-192.3ac042fa43.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-384.728e3a03d3.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-512.685da29e9e.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-16.8a240ceacc.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-32.5cf4e6db02.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/manifest.11b0cb15658c4719a2c19e25644577223adaa7b2.json)   (https://www.bbc.com)   BBC Homepage    (cy8zv8v1z7zo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#main-heading) Skip to content  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/) Accessibility Help          (https://account.bbc.com/account?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcy8zv8v1z7zo)    Your account       (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (cy8zv8v1z7zo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)    More menu     (cy8zv8v1z7zo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)   More menu    (https://www.bbc.com/search?d=NEWS_GNL)    Search BBC      (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (cy8zv8v1z7zo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#more-menu-button)   Close menu          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news)   BBC News      (cy8zv8v1z7zo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-menu)    Menu  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news) Home   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmj34zmwm1zt) Climate   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada) US & Canada   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk) UK   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business) Business   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology) Tech   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment) Science   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment_and_arts) Entertainment & Arts   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health) Health     (cy8zv8v1z7zo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-more-menu)    More     (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in_pictures) In Pictures   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify) BBC Verify   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat) Newsbeat         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada) US & Canada           Legendary Canadian boxer George Chuvalo dies aged 89      (Close-up of Chuvalo, wearing a suit and tie, and holding up his fight and smiling)    Image source,  WireImage via Getty Images      By Grace Eliza Goodwin     Published 8 hours ago           Canadian boxer George Chuvalo, a five-time national heavyweight champion, has died at the age of 89.   Out of 93 total professional fights in his career - 73 victories, 18 losses, and two draws - Chuvalo was never once knocked down to the canvas. "His photos have hung on our walls for decades. His stories have been passed down from one generation of fighters to the next," said Sully's Boxing, the Toronto gym where he trained, in a statement. He battled Muhammad Ali in 1966 and 1972, and though Chuvalo lost both fights, Ali called him the toughest guy he ever fought.      (Chuvalo as a young man, shirtless and wearing boxing shorts, holding up his fists in punching pose)    Image source,  Getty Images      Chuvalo was born in 1937 to Croatian immigrant parents, grew up in Toronto and got into boxing at a young age.  Widely considered "Canada's greatest warrior", Chuvalo was known for his iron chin, relentless durability, and fights against world famous fighters like George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Ali.       (Black and white photo of Muhammad Ali and George Chuvalo boxing in a ring. Chuvalo, in dark shorts with a white stripe, has his arms up, blocking a punch thrown by Ali, who is in white shorts with a dark stripe.)    Image source,  Getty Images  Image caption,  George Chuvalo fighting against Muhammad Ali in 1966       "George Chuvalo was a heavyweight boxing legend, a family friend and a Canadian icon," Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote on social media.  "My thoughts are with all of George's family and loved ones as we mourn his passing." After retiring from professional boxing in 1978, Chuvalo travelled the country as a public speaker advocating for anti-drug education and mental health awareness.  Chuvalo lost three sons and his wife to drug overdoses and suicide, he has said.  "I'd like to think if you're ever tempted with the idea of doing drugs, or you ever flirt with doing drugs, I hope you think of me, George Chuvalo, and what drugs did to my family," he once said, according to a CBC Radio report in 1998. In retirement, Chuvalo also dipped his toes in acting, appearing in the 1998 comedy film Dirty Work and alongside Jeff Goldblum in the 1986 horror film The Fly. He also served as a guest commentator for major boxing matches and co-hosted a TV boxing program called Greatest Knockouts with his friend and fellow fighter Charles "Spider" Jones.  Chuvalo is survived by his eldest son Mitch, daughter Vanessa, grandchildren, and second wife Joanne.  He died on Saturday, his birthday, said Sully's Boxing Gym.      Related topics  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cywd23g0q41t) Canada        More on this story (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/cr7dm1vk7pgo) Garcia crushes overmatched Benn in two rounds     Published 16 hours ago          (Ryan Garcia lands a punch on Conor Benn)          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36450806) A boxer who changed his sport and his country     Published 4 June 2016          (Muhammad Ali arrives at Ricky Hatton's gym as part of his UK charity tour (25 August 2009))          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-52988605)    Muhammad Ali: 'Why is everything white?' Video, 00:02:40 Muhammad Ali: 'Why is everything white?'     Published 10 June 2020                  (vertical video collection) The video playlist   Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC      Previous     Next         1:06 Why is Trump lifting Irish whiskey tariffs? 00:01:06, play video Why is Trump lifting Irish whiskey tariffs?    (Donald Trump in Ireland)           0:48 Tom Felton on Harry Potter Remake. 00:00:48, play video Tom Felton on Harry Potter Remake    (Tom Felton)           1:00 Burnham first serving PM to take part in Great North Run. 00:01:00, play video Burnham first serving PM to take part in Great North Run    (Andy Burnham with a yellow BBC Sport microphone in front of him)           1:25 Teri Hatcher on playing 'iconic' Miranda Priestly. 00:01:25, play video Teri Hatcher on playing 'iconic' Miranda Priestly    (Teri Hatcher on the red carpet)           1:36 Does this AI comic make you laugh? 00:01:36, play video Does this AI comic make you laugh?    (A screen showing the AI avatar of comedian Garrett Millerick. It is wearing a black suit, white shirt and blue tie. it has short dark hair, a beard and moustache.)           0:49 Are the UK's spiders getting bigger? 00:00:49, play video Are the UK's spiders getting bigger?    (A spiderweb that has caught the dew is illuminated by the early morning sun.)           0:57 'I was a commodity': Charlotte Church on the music industry. 00:00:57, play video 'I was a commodity': Charlotte Church on the music industry    (Charlotte Church is sitting behind a microphone. She has way brown hair. She is wearing a turquoise top with a teal wrap over her shoulders.)           0:23 Things heat up in the Celebrity Masterchef kitchen. 00:00:23, play video Things heat up in the Celebrity Masterchef kitchen    (A woman with long dark hair tied back is wearing chef's whites under a red apron.)           0:57 What just happened with Trump's united Ireland call. 00:00:57, play video What just happened with Trump's united Ireland call    (Caitriona Perry looking into the camera)           0:50 Wembley Stadium's first ever Punjabi artist headliner. 00:00:50, play video Wembley Stadium's first ever Punjabi artist headliner    (Diljit Dosanjh sitting down in a pink jacket holding a mug.)           0:59 When a Dragon gives you a helping hand. 00:00:59, play video When a Dragon gives you a helping hand    (A woman with dark hair looks slightly nervous in front of the Dragons.)           1:02 Why should young people care about pensions? 00:01:02, play video Why should young people care about pensions?    (Two young women walking in an office)           1:30 My attacker 'doesn't get to be the storyteller' 00:01:30, play video My attacker 'doesn't get to be the storyteller'    (Salman Rushdie in the BBC Radio 4 Today's studio)           1:07 The 3D scans giving blind parents a new way to meet their baby. 00:01:07, play video The 3D scans giving blind parents a new way to meet their baby    (The BBC's reporter wearing a leopard print jacket with brown hair)           1:11 Are women better at endurance running than men? 00:01:11, play video Are women better at endurance running than men?    (Ultra runner Sophie Woods)           1:20 Why is Donald Trump visiting the Republic of Ireland? 00:01:20, play video Why is Donald Trump visiting the Republic of Ireland?    (Donald Trump wearing a green tie, stood on stage in front of a room full of people, with the Irish flag and the American flag behind him.)           0:54 'This ceremony is essential' says brother of 9/11 victim. 00:00:54, play video 'This ceremony is essential' says brother of 9/11 victim    (Man with grey hair and glasses stands at a podium)           1:31 Inside Gander: The town that took in thousands on 9/11. 00:01:31, play video Inside Gander: The town that took in thousands on 9/11    (A group of people are seen coming down an airplane gangway)           0:57 'Extraordinary' - MPs reject assisted dying bill. 00:00:57, play video 'Extraordinary' - MPs reject assisted dying bill    (Pro-assisted dying campaigners hold pink placards during a protest near Big Ben)           1:17 Céline Dion duets with fan ahead of Paris comeback concert. 00:01:17, play video Céline Dion duets with fan ahead of Paris comeback concert    (Celine Dion, in a grey suit, makes a thank you hand gesture when she is offered flowers by a fan.)               Top stories (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5zg41dkqwo) Russia hits Ukrainian train shortly after Boris Johnson and top European officials leave station     Published 2 hours ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyl18x4734o) 'Culture shift' needed in how UK does business, PM urges     Published 43 minutes ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7v48vp31mdo) Trump downplays warnings of AI risks, citing rivalry with China     Published 3 hours ago                More to explore (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2e0jg10dkdo) Will the Thirlwall report change the debate about Lucy Letby?      (Designed image using Lucy Letby mugshot with hospital in background)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cp3kdzlnzneo) From struggling to walk to lifting trophy - how Rybakina triumphed      (Elena Rybakina holds the US Open trophy)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cpq01p1wn78o)    'She's back': Fans dance, sing and cry after Céline Dion's comeback concert in Paris. Video 'She's back': Fans dance, sing and cry after Céline Dion's comeback concert in Paris           (Celine Dion on stage)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y6z72z9lno) Best friends for decades - until a DNA test revealed they were sisters      (Indian-born women Meena Geltink, 43, and Minal Tijssen, 44, adopted separately as babies and raised near each other in the Netherlands)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgwe8dk6z6o) Some dentists say more young people are grinding their teeth - are you one of them?      (Jaw pain after waking up or sleeping - Bruxisum, teeth grinding)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgy4w3mnpvo) Five night sky events to look out for this autumn      (The November full moon shines bright white in a black sky, with the outline of tree branches in the foreground.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2dwjzw60pgo) Having a stroke at 26 was massive learning curve      (Niamh Foster pictured in hospital with dark hair in braids. One eye appears more open than the other, and her lips are at different heights on each side.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevw10eldkko) Prince William launches £250K fund for village      (Prince William wears a navy blue suit and tie as he squints in the sunshine)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsletters/zgmn46f) US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter      (A cut of of Anthony Zurcher wearing a suit and tie in front of a red, black, grey and blue graphic background featuring the US Capitol Building)             Elsewhere on the BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00305m5?at_mid=YZkS6YbmAa&at_campaign=Scams_and_Scandals_The_Chemical_Killer_Death_by_Dating&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m001zphk&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Scams_and_Scandals_The_Chemical_Killer_Death_by_Dating&at_bbc_team=BBC&at_creation=News) How a woman's sudden death triggered a six-month manhunt        (Scams & Scandals: The Chemical Killer: Death by Dating)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p7tr88?at_mid=gm30RQEzB4&at_campaign=World_of_Secrets_The_Abercrombie_Guys_E12&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=w13xtvs0&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=World_of_Secrets_The_Abercrombie_Guys_E12&at_bbc_team=BBC) Abercrombie & Fitch's former CEO Mike Jeffries to stand trial        (World of Secrets: The Abercrombie Guys)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002zylf?at_mid=7Tf2YLQ7ny&at_campaign=BBC_Proms_New_World_Symphony_at_the_Proms&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=b007v097&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=BBC_Proms_New_World_Symphony_at_the_Proms&at_bbc_team=BBC) Dvorak’s epic masterpiece at the Proms        (BBC Proms: New World Symphony at the Proms)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030lsq?at_mid=j1HSrZQOV6&at_campaign=Youre_Dead_To_Me_Special_Episode_1066_and_the_Battle_of_Hastings&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p07mdbhg&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Youre_Dead_To_Me_Special_Episode_1066_and_the_Battle_of_Hastings&at_bbc_team=BBC) Greg Jenner and guests examine the tumultuous events of 1066        (You're Dead To Me)            Most read 1 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62ml4lp6jlo) Meghan shares glimpse of family life after Sussexes return to UK        2 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5zg41dkqwo) Russia hits Ukrainian train shortly after Boris Johnson and top European officials leave station       3 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyl18x4734o) 'Culture shift' needed in how UK does business, PM urges       4 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4zrepw78eo) Deep-fried food banned under new school dinner rules in England       5 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2z79n0eeno) Trump says he will remove all Irish whiskey tariffs as he ends two-day visit       6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cew9n2j47ygo) Andy Burnham among Great North Run finishers       7 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7v48vp31mdo) Trump downplays warnings of AI risks, citing rivalry with China       8 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7dl593k8yo) Will record donations to Reform go down as a moment of political change?       9 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c158p587w4no) Police searching for six men over anti-migrant protest       10 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0qx5d79kdeo) Swedish party blocs tied after Sunday vote, projections say               BBC News Services  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628994)    On your mobile  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/help-50068132)    On smart speakers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628323)    Get news alerts  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/20039682)    Contact BBC News     (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms) Terms of Use  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc) About the BBC  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/privacy) Privacy Policy  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies) Cookies  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility) Accessibility Help  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/guidance) Parental Guidance  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact) Contact the BBC  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers) Careers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnewsletter) BBC emails for you  (https://www.bbc.com/advertisingcontact/) Advertise with us    Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/links-and-feeds) Read about our approach to external linking.         ()