CATHOLIC COURIER DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER, N.Y. T^ SPORTS THURSDAY AUGUST 25,1994 PAGE 9 TEATURE Heavyweights lighten ex-boxer's heavy heart
By Mike Latona Staff writer ROCHESTER - How can you love somebody who, at one time, you had lit erally beaten to a pulp? "In a lot of ways, boxing is the most honest of all sports. It's a crazy bond," observed George Chuvalo. "Every per son I fought, no matter what happened, I always had good feelings for him.'' Good feelings for people like The Greatest, Muhammad Ali. And Joe Fra- zier. These former world heavyweight champions, both of whom fought Chu valo in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reflected the bond of which Chuvalo spoke by showing their support in his time of need. Two other ex-boxing champions, Car men Basilio and Willie Pep, joined Ali and Frazier for a knockout head table Thursday, Aug. 18, at die Mapledale Par ty House. The dinner not only acknowledged die boxers' outstanding careers, but also their huge hearts. It was a night where all 950 in atten dance were reminded that, for people like Chuvalo, a boxer's bloody existence inside the ropes can actually be less painful than life outside the ring. S. John Wilkin/Staff photographer In 90 professional fights against die Former heavyweight boxers George Chuvalo (left) and Joe Frazier ham it up during a press conference at Rochester's likes of Ali, Frazier and George Fore Strathallan Hotel, prior to a benefit banquet for Chuvalo at the Mapledale Party House. Proceeds from the dinner will go man, the burly Canadian was never to the George Chuvalo Foundation and St. Joseph's Villa in Greece. & knocked to the canvas as he compiled a record of 70-18-2. of die Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame. tional funds will benefit St. Joseph's Vil Recent events in his life, however, have Liccione said the idea took hold soon la, which serves similar causes in the threatened to knock Chuvalo right out after he heard of Chuvalo's family Rochester area. emotionally. tragedy late last year. Chuvalo told the Catholic Courier that SportShorts Now 56, Chuvalo has endured die loss One by one, said Liccione, boxing lu while he has received various forms of of diree family members in recent years. minaries came forward wishing to help encouragement from the public in re Tourney nets $25,000 His son Jesse committed suicide nine out by waiving Uieir appearance fees for cent months, "this is pretty unique in for Holy Childhood years ago, and George Jr. died of an over the event. In addition to the former terms of the people involved." dose last fall. Both were heroin addicts. fighters, head-table guests included Lar The former boxer, who was Canada's PENFIELD - The ninth annu Then, just days after his second son's ry Merchant, die Home Box Office box top heavyweight over a 21-year period, al Holy Childhood Ladies' Golf death, Chuvalo's wife, Lynne, took her ing analyst who served as master of cer was overcome with emotion while ex Tournament, held July 11, raised own life by swallowing a botde of pills. emonies; and Bert Sugar, publisher of pressing his appreciation to die banquet approximately $25,000, accord Boxing Illustrated magazine. attendees. ing to Helen D. daCruz, devel Chuvalo is now attempting to endure "It turned out to be die biggest event "I'm having a bit of a difficult time opment director at School of the these devastating losses by reaching out in Rochester boxing history, and we nev because it's hard to talk about things Holy Childhood, 100 Groton to both old and new friends. er set out to do that," Liccione re diat are so dear to you," said Chuvalo. Parkway, Henrietta. "You get cynical arid sometimes you marked. "This makes me feel diat it's worth being The event took place at Shad get bitter, and then a moment like this Proceeds from the banquet will net alive; diat I want to love people." ow Pines Golf Club. Proceeds will comes around and you're reminded that about $15,000, Liccione estimated. Most Chuvalo concluded diat his efforts to help education and training pro people are beautiful,'' Chuvalo said to of the money will go toward die George ward assisting youdis will serve as a cop grams at School of the Holy the banquet gathering last Thursday. Chuvalo Foundation, which will support ing mechanism in his future. Childhood, which serves mentally The dinner was arranged by Tony Lic- children from abusive backgrounds in "I need to know diat my sons and wife retarded children and adults. cione, a Hamlin resident and president Chuvalo's home city of Toronto. Addi didn't die in vain," he said.
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