Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2013
Source: Brampton Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Brampton Guardian
Contact:  http://www.bramptonguardian.com/brampton-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1485
Author: Radhika Panjwani

GEORGE CHUVALO BRINGS HIS FIGHT TO BRAMPTON

BRAMPTON - While narrating the story of his famous fight with Muhammad
Ali in 1966, boxing legend George Chuvalo, 76, simply cannot hide his
glee.

Apparently, Ali-who won most of his bouts by knocking out his
opponents - could not topple Big George. Chuvalo, ended up losing that
epic tussle, however because he did a fair job of absorbing Ali's jabs
and punches, a nonchalant Chuvalo was able to go dancing with his wife
whereas Ali had to be hospitalized.

"He (Ali) reportedly "peed blood" for a week," said Chuvalo with a
chuckle.

The Canadian fought Ali twice, 1966 and 1972 and went the distance
both times.

One of Chuvalo's accomplishments was that his rivals could never knock
him down, but outside the ring, the former heavyweight had to take
some hard blows.

"It (life) may have knocked me down, but I am still standing," said
Chuvalo referring to the deaths of his three sons, his wife and more
recently his 30-year-old grand daughter Rachel to cancer. "I am still
around because I have people in my life I care about."

Brampton residents will have a chance to meet Chuvalo Saturday, July,
27 at Turtle Jack's Muskoka Grill, located at 20 Cottrelle Blvd., from
12 noon to 6 p.m. The famous boxer will be around to sign autographs
on a number of merchandize. Also, on Sunday, July 28, Chuvalo, a
Caledon resident, will be at the Glen Eagle Golf Course at 15731
Regional Road 50, Caledon from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Proceeds from both the events will go to George Chuvalo Fight Against
Drugs. Chuvalo founded the charity because he lost his three
sons-Jesse, Georgie Lee and Steven -to heroin. Few days after his son
Georgie Lee's death in 1993, Chuvalo's first wife Lynne, committed
suicide.

Big George learned to deal with the pain by becoming a vocal advocate.
During his visits schools, group homes and youth prisons across
Canada, the retired pugilist urges his audience to pursue education
and to quit smoking cigarettes. His rationale? Chuvalo believes most
drug addicts start on the path of self-destruction early on in life
when they start smoking. The smokers then become emboldened and begin
experimenting with pot and slowly graduate to other substances.

"I tell young people that the most important time of their life is
when they are teenagers because the decisions they make then will
essentially affect them for life," he said. "I tell teens that by
smoking cigarettes, they are disrespecting themselves. So, if you
disrespect yourself in one area, it's whole lot easier to disrespect
yourself in other areas. I also tell them to stay in school."

Gurj Dheri, owner of the Turtle Jack's on Airport Road, remembers
listening to Chuvalo as a young student when the boxer visited his
school. So, when the idea of a fundraiser was discussed, Dheri was
only too happy to help.

"The addiction problem is huge not just locally, but nationally as
well," said Dheri. "Putting a face to someone that has gone through so
much and listening to his experience can be powerful. As leaders in
our industry in Brampton, we wanted to collaborate with this gentleman
(Chuvalo), an icon and a legend, whose cause can help
youngsters."

Despite the fact that his successes have alternated with the death of
loved ones, Chuvalo remains a die-hard optimist,

"There's still fight inside me," he said. "You don't quit on yourself.
If I hurt myself, I would also hurt other people who care about
me...what good will that do?"
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MAP posted-by: Matt