Chuvalo's name will be etched into a concrete slab, which will be planted into the sidewalk in the heart of Toronto's entertainment district during a ceremony on Sunday.
Renowned for his toughness, Chuvalo's boxing career spanned three decades, from 1956 until 1979.
He retired at 41 years old with a record of 73-18-2. He recorded 62 knockouts, but was never knocked out himself.
George Chuvalo jabs Ali during their March 29, 1966 title bout.(CP Photo)
Chuvalo's most notable opponent was Muhammad Ali. Chuvalo fought Ali twice, with both bouts going the distance. The fights are considered among Ali's toughest.
Chuvalo was the reigning Canadian heavyweight champion when he lost a unanimous, 15-round decision to then-world champion Ali at Maple Leaf Gardens on March 29, 1966.
They fought again, for the NABF heavyweight crown at Vancouver on May 12, 1972, with Ali prevailing in 12 rounds.
Chuvalo also fought well-respected pugilists Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Jerry Quarry.
"I fought six world champions, I fought [at] Madison Square Garden, which is the mecca of boxing," Chuvalo told Canadian Press. "I fought in the golden era of the heavyweights, so I had a good shot it at all."
While successful in his professional life, Chuvalo's personal life was marred by tragedy.
Chuvalo's youngest son Jesse was heroin addict. He killed himself in 1985. In 1993, his son Georgie Lee died of a drug overdose. Two days after Georgie Lee's funeral, Chuvalo's wife Lynne, overcome by grief, killed herself with sleeping pills.
Chuvalo son Steven battled drug addiction. He died from a heroin overdose in 1996.
Chuvalo has since remarried. He has two grown children and four grandchildren. He spends much of his time speaking to school kids about the dangers of drugs.
"All I know is I can still make something good come out of something horrible and if I didn't speak to young kids about drugs, it would be like my kids died in vain," said Chuvalo. "Because my kids died, they can actually help somebody."
Other 2005 inductees on Canada's Walk of Fame are singer-songwriters Alanis Morissette and Paul Anka, ballet dancer Rex Harrington, actors Kiefer Sutherland and the late Fay Wray, concert promoter Michael Cohl, TV producer Pierre Cossette and music producer and performer Daniel Lanois.
with files from Canadian Press
