Pubdate: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 Source: Times & Transcript (Moncton, CN NK) Copyright: 2011 New Brunswick Publishing Company Contact: http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/onsite.php?page=contact#B Website: http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2660 Author: Neil Hodge, Times & Transcript Staff BOXING LEGEND TO SPEAK IN MONCTON Tickets for George Chuvalo's Anti-Drug Seminar Go on Sale Today George Chuvalo ended his illustrious boxing career in 1979, but he continues to pack a big punch when talking about life. The former Canadian heavyweight champion is coming to Moncton as part of his wide-spread travels in his fight against drugs. He will be one of the guest speakers during an event on May 28 at 3 p.m. at the Moncton Wesleyan Celebration Center. This is the first event being staged by Eloquent One Promotion, a new Moncton organization that's looking to "design and promote creative and accessible events that celebrate and enrich the diversity within our culture." Tickets are $30 and go on sale today at the Moncton Wesleyan Celebration Center, Frank's Music and Steve's Diner. Tickets are also available at www.ticketwindow.ca or by calling 1-877-700-3130. "If we can accomplish one person in the crowd walking away looking at their life differently or looking at their children or friends differently, then it's all worth it," said Daniel Doiron, event manager for Eloquent One Promotion. "There's always room for change and improvement. It starts with each of us. It's a good feeling to do something that really does matter and really does make a difference. When you listen to Mr. Chuvalo talk about the fight against drugs it puts things into perspective." Chuvalo has been inducted into both the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. He was the Canadian heavyweight champion for 21 years and ranked as high as No. 2 in the world. The Toronto native stayed in the top 10 world rankings for most of his career and appeared numerous times on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He retired in 1979 with a record of 73 wins (64 by knockout), 18 losses and two draws. In 97 professional fights, Chuvalo was never knocked out or even knocked down. Although he lost a 15-round decision to Muhammad Ali on March 29, 1966, Ali later said that "He was the toughest man I ever fought." Chuvalo's life hasn't just featured triumph. It's also been filled with tragedy, having lost three sons and a wife due to substance abuse. Since retiring from boxing, he's been in numerous films, television shows and commercials. He's been an anti-drug advocate since 1995 and made over 1,400 appearances in Canada and several other countries talking to students, young offenders, youth at risk, support groups and many others about drug abuse. Doiron, who teaches human services at the New Brunswick Community College, hopes the Wesleyan Celebration Center is filled to its 1,820 capacity for Chuvalo's visit. "What Mr. Chuvalo has been through, it's just a remarkable story," said Doiron. "It's an opportunity to get his message across to the community. His message is very strong and there's so many people that need to hear it. Often times it's a young student. "There's parents who might have kids involved in drugs or checking out drugs. This is an opportunity for parents to hear a message from someone who's been impacted so much by drug abuse. I don't even know how Mr. Chuvalo has survived everything he's endured. He's such a resilient person." Chuvalo fought some of the greatest boxers of all time, including Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Floyd Patterson, Ernie Terrell, Joe Frazier and Jerry Quarry. He is Canada's most celebrated boxer of all time and was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1998. Daniel Baker is the director of the Helping Hands Institute, which has been involved in human service education and support for more than 30 years. He will join Chuvalo in Moncton as co guest speaker to talk about grief recovery and emotional first aid. Baker has worked with thousands of individuals and families in the Atlantic provinces and has been speaking at anti drug seminars for more than 25 years. "After Mr. Baker and Mr. Chuvalo talk, there will be an open microphone session for the crowd to ask questions," said Doiron. "I'm sure that will prove to be very interesting and educational." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.