Page 8 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 31

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George Chuvalo visits Champs Eastside Boxing

By Jim Riddell

eorge Chuvalo, the longest
Greigning champion in Canadian
boxing history was in Cornwall
recently as guest of honour and
after dinner speaker at “Boxing
for Change”, an event supporting
the Children’s Treatment Centre.
Chuvalo, Canadian Champion from
1958 until 1979 was ranked in the
top ten in the world for most of his
career. Fighting in an era that was
considered the best in the history of the
heavyweight division, George scored
sixty-four knockouts in ninety-three

fights. He fought Muhammad Ali and
Floyd Patterson twice each, as well as,
Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ernie
Terrell, and Jerry Quarry just to name
a few; and was never once knocked
off his feet. I caught up with George
during his visit to Champs Eastside
Boxing where he was watching the
local fighters train. I was fortunate

to be able to sit and talk boxing with
George, and here is his response to
some of my questions.
Q- Are you involved in boxing in
any way at the present time?
A - I am no longer training any George Chuvalo enjoyed his visit to a training session at Champs Eastside Boxing Club. Photo by Icelevel

Brought to you by Scores fighters, nor am I arranging matches, playing other sports. There are

but I like to visit the gyms and offer more NHL teams today. There are
Athlete of the Month advice if it is welcomed. I still like to some hockey players who, if they
help out if at all possible. had started boxing at a young age,
Ethan Q – How do you see the future of trained hard, and stuck with it, could
Kanataktah Seymour boxing? have been decent boxers. The same
A - Boxing is going through a bit of with other sports like football and
a rough period right now and it will basketball. The big guys with natural
This month’s athlete is Ethan Kanataktah

Seymour who hails from the Akwesasne take a few big entertaining fights to athletic ability have more options
Mohawk Territory. Ethan, who is ten, expand the fan base. Mayweather – today.

began playing field lacrosse at the age of 6 Pacquiao was a golden opportunity Q – Who was the best that you
for the Akwesasne Attack. While Ethan en- to showcase the sport but instead faced?

joyed playing field lacrosse and had played
a couple of games in nets, he decided to of being aggressive and providing A – Muhammad Ali had the fastest
switch to box lacrosse this year. He is now an entertaining match they chose to hands and the fastest feet, - very

the net minder for the Akwesasne Storm fight defensively. It looked more like diffi cult to hit. If you were able to
Novice 1 team. For Ethan, playing lacrosse fencing than boxing – it certainly was take every heavyweight champion in
is more than just a game--it is his medicine. not the fight that people had hoped to history, during their prime, and put

He realizes when he plays that it is the Cre-
ator’s game and he has a great respect for see. them in a tournament, Ali would win.
the game. He plays not only for himself, Q – What is your opinion of MMA He was the whole package and could

but the health of his family. Lacrosse is not (Mixed Martial Arts)? fight you any and every way. Joe
Ethan’s only focus. He has played football A – MMA doesn’t do much for Frazier had the best defence; he was
with the Massena Raiders for the past three me. In many matches they are in a master at bobbing and weaving,
years.
one position for an extended period slipping punches and countering.
Delivery Available and not much happens . I find it hard George Foreman was physically the

to get excited about MMA. I think strongest that I ever faced, I got in
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT
SOUP, SALAD AND FRUIT BAR MMA has peaked. close on George and he just shoved
Q – There were many heavyweights me back – no one was ever able to

from your time that, if fighting today, do that to me before, or since. The
would be a world champion. What hardest puncher is a tie between Mike
has happened to the division? DeJohn and George Foreman. Mike
960 BROOKDALE AVENUE, CORNWALL A – The opportunities are greater had a very good hook and a great
613-935-7777 today and the heavyweights are Continued on page 9