don king
06-11-2004, 08:47 PM
I mentioned before that my son boxes. Recently, when I went to pick him up from his club, as I was waiting outside, I saw this guy drive up in a old but very well maintained black caddy. An older guy got out and smiled and nodded to me as he walked by into the club ( I think he could see the wheels turning in my head). I thought I recognized him, but I wasn't sure. It was George Chuvalo, but I didn't recognize him because he looked so damn good! There are a number of pictures of him inside the club, with the owner, and that was who he dropped by to see, but many of them are recent and he has a real chubby face in the pics. The guy I saw in person looked about 10 years younger and many pounds lighter than the guy in the pictures. He was demonstrating something to one of the local boxers, and his speed, grace and obvious power were amazing. Here is a guy much, much older than me who would kick my ass in literally seconds. As I watched him, it looked like he could step into the ring and compete now. I also remembered that he used to train Razor Ruddock, but they went their seperate ways and Chuvalo mentioned at the time that Ruddock had a poor work ethic. As I watched him instruct, I thought "bad move Razor ... really bad move". I think things could have been different for him if he stuck with the Washer Woman. Anyway, George has had a rough life, and that's a huge understatement. I was really happy to see him looking so good, and contented. He seemed to be at peace. I wanted to talk to him and introduce my son, but out of respect I just kept my distance and watched and enjoyed. Now my son has no idea who George Chuvalo is, but he was definitely impressed when I told him that the man he just saw fought Muhammed Ali and George Foreman. Good luck George, and all the best.