Legendary Canadian heavyweight George Chuvalo dies at 89 after years of dementia

George Chuvalo, the Toronto-born heavyweight celebrated for absorbing the hardest punches without ever being knocked down, died at age 89 while residing in a long-term care facility in Toronto where he had been treated for dementia. His boxing career, which began in 1956, featured memorable bouts against Muhammad Ali in Toronto and Vancouver, as well as fights with Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Floyd Patterson and others, ending with a record of 73-18-2.

Outside the ring he faced profound family tragedy, losing two of his sons and his wife Lynne to drug-related deaths and suicide, experiences he later recounted in his 2013 autobiography. The City of Toronto later opened a community centre named after him, recognizing his impact on the city. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who called Chuvalo a family friend, shared condolences on social media following the announcement.