George Chuvalo on Joe Mesi, "Now's The Time.."

26.09 - George Chuvalo, the Hard Rock from Canada, launched his professional boxing career by knocking out four opponents in the Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Novice Tournament held in Toronto on April 23, 1956 (St. George's Day).

By 1977 he had fought over 100 bouts, fighting the best heavyweights of two generations: Bob Baker, Zora Folley, Doug Jones, Floyd Patterson, Ernie Terrell, Muhammad Ali, Oscar Bonavena, Joe Frazier, Jerry Quarry and George Foreman.

Frazier and Foreman were the only men to stop him. However, Chuvalo was never knocked off his feet in a professional boxing match.

Today, Chuvalo resides in Toronto and is a proud Canadian (and a Buffalo Bills Fan!). He remains active with the "George Chuvalo Fight Against Drugs" program. He gives approximately 100 presentations a year at schools and youth offender centers, educating people about the perils of drug abuse.

Chuvalo was recently a featured speaker at the Buffalo Boxing Hall of Fame Dinner.

"I know a lot of people have high hopes for Joe Mesi. DaVarryl Williamson is his biggest test," Chuvalo said. "Joe's been brought along just right. Not too fast and not too slow, but just right."

"He's been brought along slower than some people would like, but that's good. They're both late bloomers."

While Chuvalo believes that Mesi has been managed well, he quickly added that "Now's the time to make the move."

Chuvalo is also impressed with Mesi's marketability. "Mesi's a good kid and well spoken; he's a good looking guy and the people are behind him. We'll see on Saturday. it's a crossroads fight for him. If he gets a good win here who knows what can happen."