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Canadian heavyweight boxer George Chuvalo (middle) and teachers John Petroff (left) and Jim Hughes mug for the camera. Chuvalo was a featured speaker at the Palliser District Teachers’ Convention, February 24. The retired boxer’s presentation focused on drug abuse. Two of Chuvalo’s sons died of drug overdoses, and another son and Chuvalo’s wife committed suicide.
Chuvalo was never knocked down in 93 professional fights between 1956 and 1979. Twice he fought Muhammad Ali, going the distance both times but losing to Ali on points.
Petroff and Hughes write: “This was our last convention, because we are both retiring in June after 31 years of teaching at Banff High School. We stayed for a while chatting with George. He was a childhood hero to both of us—meeting and talking with him was a great way to end our last convention.”
