Mr George Chuvalo / Assumptions Special Guest
Mr George Chuvalo / Assumptions Special Guest
Anyone who saw George Chuvalo in the boxing ring knows that he means business. For those who never got the chance, his speeches certainly make it clear he isn’t joking. Mr Chuvalo visited Assumption on May 17, 2006 to give a speech about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and smoking. To say his words were powerful is an understatement, rather than talking about drugs and alcohol being bad simply to get a message out, Chuvalo focused on his life experience and how these substances have effected his life.
George Chuvalo, for those who don’t know, is Canada’s most celebrated boxer. He ruled the Canadian boxing ring from the late 1950s through the 1970s. He fought in 93 professional bouts and was never knocked down, winning 73, 64 by knock out. Chuvalo even faced Muhammad Ali twice without being knocked down.
Chuvalo has now taken his perseverance to a new level with his speeches. He lost two sons to heroine overdoses, one son to drug related causes, as well as his wife to and overdose. “Losing so many people so dear to me made me realize how dangerous drugs really are,” says Chuvalo. “I take it on as my responsibility to talk to people when they are young, about the realities of heroin addiction and the dangers of drugs.“I want to help people so that others will never have to see or experience what I have.”
His speech was a recounting of the loss of his sons and wife, and how it made him understand that the Hollywood portrayal of drug use is completely false.“I didn’t give it a second thought when I was boxing. I never thought this sort of thing could happen to me. Then, so quickly I lose most of my family to addiction and realize that Hollywood makes drugs and smoking seem cool but the reality is it’s horrifying. For me to do nothing after this would make my children and wife’s death be in vain.”
Instead of simply preaching to the students about drugs, alcohol, and smoking, Chuvalo used his life and how these things affected him as means to speak out against drug abuse and addiction. This made the speech very personal and allowed for the students to get much more out of it.
Chuvalo also stressed family, friends, and love as the core to happiness and a drug free life. “It all starts at home, If kids are taught about a healthy body and a healthy mind, then they will see the future with hope and will get good chances.” Chuvalo has visited over 1,500 high schools and will continue to speak out against the dangers of drugs and addiction for as long as he can.
Written by:Morgan Bailey
