Chuvalo's last stand
Broadcast Date: March 8, 1977
At 39 George Chuvalo is back in training in an attempt to regain a title he never lost in the ring. With a bureaucratic stroke of the pen, the Canadian Boxing Federation (CBF) has stripped Chuvalo of the Canadian Heavyweight Title. The CBF argues Chuvalo didn't defend the title in over three years. Chuvalo says nobody ever challenged him. In this CBC Television clip, Chuvalo talks to Take 30 about his quest to regain the title in what many fight experts say is his last stand.Before Chuvalo gets a crack at the Canadian Title, Robert "Pretty Boy" Felstein — a fighter seven years Chuvalo's junior — stands in his way. "Nobody's ever knocked Chuvalo down…and I'll be throwing the hardest punches I've ever thrown in my life in this fight," says Felstein. Chuvalo is not impressed: "I'm just gonna annihilate him."
Chuvalo's last stand
• Chuvalo went on to win this fight, knocking out Felstein in the ninth round. On Dec. 8, 1977, Chuvalo regained the Canadian Heavyweight Title for the final time in his career, knocking out Earl McLeay in the opening round of their fight in Toronto.• Chuvalo earned $10,000 for this fight, while Felstein pocketed $5,000.
• Felstein retired after this bout with Chuvalo before making a comeback in 1980. He lost a 10-round decision to Chuck Findlay in Toronto, and then retired for good. During his 15-year career he took on noted fighters such as Ernie Shavers, Bob Cleroux and Jimmy Ellis. Felstein had a career record of 16 wins (10 by KO), 14 losses and one draw.
Chuvalo's last stand
Medium: Television
Program: Take 30
Broadcast Date: March 8, 1977
Guest(s): George Chuvalo, Robert Felstein
Reporter: Mary Lou Finlay
Duration: 8:27
Last updated:
Oct. 28, 2010
Television
6:16
A young George Chuvalo talks about his dreams of becoming the champ.
Chuvalo's last stand.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: Oct. 28, 2010.
[Page consulted on Feb. 13, 2012.]