- These are the three biggest boxing events held in Canada.
- Muhammad Ali vs. George Chuvalo leads the list.
- The other fights included are Archie Moore vs. Yvon Durelle and Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran.
Canada has a big love for combat sports. The country has shown this by hosting multiple UFC pay-per-view events headlined by the greatest MMA fighter, Georges St-Pierre, for his title defenses during the late 2000s and early 2010s. But it is not the only combat sport that is big in the Great White North.
Boxing has also been huge for the country. Stadiums and arenas all over Canada have been filled with sold-out crowds as top boxing names and stars graced the ring and even provided fans with exhilarating boxing betting odds opportunities.
But among the hundreds of fights, three stood out and were acclaimed to be the biggest.
Muhammad Ali vs. George Chuvalo
In March 1966, Muhammad Ali’s third title defense of the WBC World Heavyweight belt happened inside the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto against hometown bet George Chuvalo. Many expected that Ali would cruise past Chuvalo easily, given his credentials and pedigree, which were levels ahead of the Canadian boxing star.
Muhammad Ali lands an uppercut on George Chuvalo during their 15 round duel for the heavyweight championship at Maple Leaf Gardens in #Toronto in 1966. Ali won by unanimous decision. #Boxing #History #Legends #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/SdY3G9FDal
— Boxing History (@BoxingHistory) September 3, 2019
One of the best Canadian boxers of all time, Chuvalo quickly proved everyone wrong by pushing “The Greatest” to all fifteen rounds of the championship showdown.
Although he got the unanimous decision victory at the conclusion of the fight, Ali also stated multiple times that Chuvalo was one of the toughest opponents he faced throughout his illustrious and legendary career.
Archie Moore vs. Yvon Durelle
Hailed as one of the greatest title fights of all time, Yvon Durelle gave Archie Moore a run for his money when they fought each other for the world light heavyweight belt in December 1958 in what many thought to be an easy fight for the “Old Mongoose.” But a very game Durelle came into the fight and knocked down the defending champion three times in the opening round.
But because of his championship experience and composure, Moore made a great comeback to return the favor and knock Durelle down four times en route to an 11th-round knockout finish to warrant a career-defining victory. Because of how entertaining their first fight went, the two were pitted in a rematch in August 1959, but this time Moore made sure to finish Durelle in the third round by knockout.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran
Rounding out the three biggest boxing events in Canada is the world title showdown between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran inside the Olympic Stadium in Montreal in June 1980. The WBC World Welterweight title fight was dubbed “The Brawl in Montreal,” and it lived up to expectations with back-and-forth action.
🎥LEONARD v DURAN I💫
Watch "The Brawl in Montreal" between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran On Demand NOW as part of our exciting @trboxing archive 🇨🇦🙌 pic.twitter.com/DlM12R2McA
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) December 23, 2021
Leonard came into the match as an undefeated title holder, but Duran stained that immaculate slate with a unanimous decision victory. Although the result was unanimous, the fight was as close as possible as they exchanged punch after punch. Five months later, they fought in a rematch, and “Sugar” made sure to avenge it in style by stopping “El Cholo” in the third round.
