Muhammad Ali vs. George Chuvalo

Boxing competition

Muhammad Ali vs. George Chuvalo was a professional boxing match contested on March 29, 1966, for the WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight championship.^[1]

Background

Ali was scheduled to fight WBA champion Ernie Terrell in Chicago, Illinois, on March 29, 1966, however Ali, facing the possibility of being drafted into the United States Army created a huge uproar by saying, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong." He was called before the Illinois State Athletic Commission to apologize for his "unpatriotic remarks." Ali would refuse to apologize, which prompted Illinois Attorney General William G. Clark to declare the bout "illegal" forcing Bob Arum to search for an alterative location.^[2] Ultimately a deal for Ali to fight in Toronto, Canada was agreed, with Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo agreeing to face Ali on 17 day notice.^[3][4][5][6]

The fight

Ali won the fight on points, by unanimous decision.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]} The Associated Press scored the fight 13-2 to Ali.

Aftermath

The fight was the subject of Joseph Blasioli's 2003 documentary film The Last Round: Chuvalo vs. Ali.^[13]

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:^[14]

Broadcasting

References

1. "Muhammad Ali vs. George Chuvalo". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
2. Liska, Jerry (27 February 1966). "Clay-Terrell Chicago Bout Appears Killed". Park City Daily News. Associated Press. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
3. "SHOWDOWN WITH A PUNCHING BAG". Sports Illustrated. 28 March 1966. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
4. Felix Dennis; Don Atyeo (2003). Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years. miramax books. pp. 142–4, 192.
5. Stephen Brunt (2002). Facing Ali. The Lyons Press. pp. 52–7, 65–6.
6. Thomas Hauser (1991). Muhammad Ali:His Life and Times. Simon & Schuster. pp. 147–50, 242. ISBN 978-0-671-68892-9.
7. "Muhammad Ali's ring record". ESPN. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
8. "Ali vs. Chuvalo: Brutality, beauty mingled in truly epic brawl". CBC. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
9. "Chuvalo, Ali photographer recalls legendary bout 50 years ago". Globe and Mail. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
10. "Muhammad Ali remembered in Canada for his bouts with granite-chinned George Chuvalo". Vancouver Sun. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
11. "Chuvalo to be presented with belt to commemorate Toronto Ali fight". Toronto Sun. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
12. "A BATTLE OF THE LIONHEARTED". Sports Illustrated. 11 April 1966. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
13. Geoff Pevere, "Chuvalo's finest hour packs a punch". Toronto Star, October 31, 2003.
14. "BoxRec - event".