Best of the Canadian Heavyweights

By Dave Baggs

Who was the best Canadian heavyweight to ever climb into the boxing ring? The country has churned out some quality heavyweight since the early 1900's and even today, the future looks very promising. When we think of all of our heavyweights, both past and present, who comes out in your mind as the best? George Chuvalo? Sam Langford? Tommy Burns? Everyone could make a case for why they believe each of the forementioned fighters deserve the recognition of the country's best. FightNews Canada has compiled a list of what it deems as the best 5 Heavyweights the nation has ever produced. We think you'll agree as well.....

#5
TREVOR BERBICK
Career: 1976-2000
Record: 49-11-1, 33 knockouts
Titles:
Canada heavyweight champion 1979-1983, 1999-2000
Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight champion 1981-1984
USBA heavyweight champion 1985
WBC Heavyweight champion 1986

Why is he ranked here?
Other than Tommy Burns, Berbick was the only other Canadian to capture the world's heavyweight title or atleast of portion of the crown (sorry Lennox, you dont count). The igmatic Berbick was known for his unorthodox style and solid chin. He captured the Canadian title following the retirement of Chuvalo with a onesided drubbing of Earl McLeary in 79. Knocked out former WBA champion "Big" John Tate in Montreal in 1980. In 1981, Berbick took Larry Holmes 15 rounds in a losing effort for Holmes' WBC crown. Then captured the vacant British Commonwealth title by destroying Ottawa's Conroy Nelson in 2 rounds. And finally, the Toronto based Jamacian ended the career of Muhammad Ali in the Bahamas, defeating the shell of the man known as simply "The Greatest" over 10 rounds. Surprised everyone by outworking Pinklon Thomas over 12 rounds to win the WBC heavyweight title in 86. Later that year, Berbick was destroyed by Mike Tyson in 2 rounds ending the Canadian's reign. Fought on until 2000, defeating journeymen while losing to the likes of Carl Williams, Buster Douglas, and Hasim Rachman. Upset by Lyle McDowell (L12) in 97 essentially ending his career as a world ranked fighter. Shocked Canadian boxing fans by stopping Shane Sutcliffe (KO12) to win the Canadian title in 99, 20 years after winning the national title the first time. Following a victory over Iran Barkley and a loss to little known Tony LaRosa, Berbick again defeated Sutcliffe over 12 rounds in the final fight of his career. He was murdered in Jamaica 5 months later at the age of 52.

What could he have done better to be ranked higher?
It was unfortunate for Berbick that the Mike Tyson era was during his reign. The image of Berbick falling all over the ring as a result on one punch is still too hard to forget. If Berbick could have squeezed in a title defense or two, it could have bumped him up a notch or two. Given the quality of the fighters above him, Berbick's position at #5 is seems appropriate. .


#4
LARRY GAINS
Career: 1923-1942
Record: 114-22-5, 60 knockouts
titles:
Canadian heavyweight champion 1927-1929
Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight champion 1931-1934

Why is he ranked here?
The last Canadian heavyweight to collect over 100 professional victories says alot about the boxing talents of Larry Gains. Started his career fighting in France, Belgium, and Germany from 1923 to 1926. First bout in Canada was in Toronto in 1926, a 2nd round knockout of Dixie Kid which included 5 knockdowns. Stopped by "Big" George Godfrey (LTKO6) in Buffalo later that year. Wins the Canadian title in 1927, knocking down Soldier Jones 8 times on route to a 5th round stoppage victory. Defeated Godfrey in 1928 by DQ to win World "Coloured" heavyweight title. Destroyed Phil Scott in 2 rounds to win the British Commonwealth title in 1931. Defeated world ranked Jack Renault (W10) in Toronto 3 months later. Throughly outboxed future world heavyweight champ Primo Carnera over 10 rounds in London, England in 1932. Defeated George Cook and Len Harvey in Commonwealth title defences before losing the title to Jack Peterson (LTKO13) in 1934. Went 25-2-1 from 1934 to 1939. Failed in his bid to regain the Commonwealth title when he was stopped by Len Harvey in 13 rounds in March of 39. Fought on until 1942 but was a mere shell of his former self, getting stopped by Jack London 3 times, and once by Tommy Farr. Elected into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1974. Passed away in 1983 at the age of 82.

What could he have done better to be ranked higher?
Not much. Gains had the talents to become a world champion had he been given the opportunity to fight for the title. Rumour has it that he was offered a shot at Jack Sharkey if he would have agreed to take a dive. Gains refused the offer outright and thus his opportunity vanished. Given his accomplishment of 114 victories and victories over Carnera and Godfrey, his place among the top 5 is pretty secure.

#3
TOMMY BURNS
Career: 1902-1920
Record: 46-5-8, 34 knockouts
Titles:
World Heavyweight champion 1906-1908
Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight champion 1910
Australian heavyweight champion 1910
Canadian heavyweight champion 1912

Why is he ranked here?
The first and the only Canadian born heavyweight to win the world heavyweight title. By today's standards, Burns was no more than a beefed up middleweight but what the Canadian lacked in size(5'7 and a 73in. reach), he made up for in courage, heart, and power.

Turned pro in 1902 and reeled of 18 victories in 19 bouts as a middleweight. Won the vacant heavyweight title (following the retirement of James Jeffries), with a 20 round decision over Marvin Hart in 1906. Defend his title frequently during his brief reign, stopping "Fireman" Jim Flynn (KO15), "Philadelphia" Jack O'Brien (D20, W20), Bill Squires (KO1, KO8, KO13), Gunner Moir (KO10), Jack Palmer (KO4), Jem Roche (KO1), Jewey Smith (KO5), and Bill Lang (KO6) over the next 31 months. Dropped his title to Jack Johnson (L14) on Dec 26th, 1908 in Australia. Came back and Won the Commonweath title and two years later, stopped Bill Rickard in 6 rounds to capture the vacant Canadian heavyweight title in Saskatoon. Fought on sparatically before being stopped in 7 rounds by Joe Beckett in a bid to regain the the Commonwealth crown in his final bout. Passed away in 1955 in Vancouver. Elected to the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame that same year. Elected to the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

What could he have done better to be ranked higher?
Burns could have drawn the colour line against Johnson, denying the bigger man the title opportunity, and no one would have said a thing. Instead, Burns opted for a huge payday and the risk that came with it which in turn, turned out to be the end of his reign. Had Burns ignored Johnson, he could have squeezed out a few more paydays overseas, increasing the length of his championship days and place in boxing history.

#2
GEORGE CHUVALO
Career: 1956-1978
Record: 73-18-2, 64 knockouts
Titles:
Canada heavyweight champion 1958-1960, 1960-1961,1964-1961, 1977-1978

Why is he ranked here?
A 4 time Canadian champ, a 2 time world title challenger, a world ranked heavyweight for over a decade, and a chin that never failed any test thrown at it. Chuvalo took the best from the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Jerry Quarry, and Floyd Patterson and never tasted the canvas. Not once. Over the course of his 22 year pro career, Chuvalo defeated a collection of perenial contenders in Alex Miteff, Willi Besmanoff, Robert Cleroux, and Mike DeJohn. He was victorious against former title challengers in Cleveland Williams, Manuel Ramos, Doug Jones, and Yvon Durelle however the pinacle of Chuvalo's career probably came on the night when he stopped Jerry Quarry in 7 rounds on December 12, 1969. Sure, there were losses to Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Patterson, Mathis, Ellis, etc but while Chuvalo couldnt match them in skill, he exceeded them in heart and determination. Chuvalo represented the toughness of all Canadians and for decades following his final fight, he is still beloved by one and all.

What could he have done better to be ranked higher?
If this was a popularity contest, Chuvalo would be king. The difference between Chuvalo and Langford is slight. Our reason for rating Langford higher is based upon longevity, number of victories over quality opposition, and 100 more professional wins than George in the ring. While it is believed by most boxing analysts that Chuvalo may have faced more skilled competition (Ali, Frazier, and Foreman), Langford was able to win some of his biggest fights (McVea, Jeannette, and Godfrey) whereas Chuvalo, not for a lack of trying, seem to always come up a little short.


#1
Sam Langford
Career: 1902-1926
Record: 178-32-40, 129 knockouts
Titles:
Australian heavyweight champion 1912-1913
Mexico heavyweight champion 1923

Why is he ranked here?
In the age of No Decisions, Langford still managed to fight his way to 178 victories including 129 of them by knockout. The Nova Scotia born fighter was one of many victims of the "Coloured Line" where few white champions were willing to put their titles on the line against skilled back fighters. Even Jack Johnson refused to give his former foe an opportunity at the crown. With limited options, Langford made his living the hard way, by fighting some of the best black heavyweights of his generation over the course of his 24 year pro career. He finally called it a career at the age of 43, still willing to fight on but completely blind.

From 1902 to 1926, Sam Langford fought everyone from lightweight to heavyweights, holding victories over the likes of Joe Gans, Young Peter Jackson, Jack Blackburn, Joe Jeannette, Fireman Jim Flynn, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Sam McVea, Harry Willis, George Godfrey, and Tiger Flowers. He held the great Joe Walcott to a 15 round draw in a bid for the world welterweight title in '03. In 1906, Langford lost a 15 round decision to future heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, giving away almost 40 pounds. Four years later, Langford defeated World Middleweight king Stanley Ketchel in a preview to an anticipated fall meeting with the title on the line in California. Unfortunately for Langford, Ketchel was murdered months later for the bout could take place.

With his eyesight starting to fail him as early as 1917 and a need for money to support himself, Langford continued to fight on, posting many victories while losing to lower quality opposition. His eyesight finally betrayed him for good in the ring in Drumright, Oklahoma on October 2nd, 1926 ending his career as a professional prizefighter.

What could he have done better to be ranked higher?
There is nothing in the ring that Langford could have done better. Outside it, he should have quit as early as 1917, saving what little eyesight he had left at the time. In addition, Langford could have put some of his winnings aside, making his retirement an enjoyable one. In the end, the Canadian died in 1956, penniless in a nursing home just shy of his 70th birthday. Just 10 weeks later, he was entered into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.