going to go with Chuvalo on this one. His chin makes it almost a certainty he'll go the route, unless he busts up. But Lyle wasn't a mobile boxer so the fight would quickly become an up close slugfest, and Chuvalo would get the best of it and win by a tko in the 8th 9th or 10th round or Lyle by decision. For a big guy he could throw some CRISP inside combos, which would make Chuvalo have more respect on the inside then he usually did. Lyle might tire late from George's body-punching, but I see Lyle winning the fight with his superior jab and his under-rated inside fight game.
Lyle would kick Georges ass. Hes bigger, stronger, a better boxer, hit harder, busier, smarter. I just dont see any way that Chuvalo would beat him. If they fought when the fight could have conceivably happened (71-73) Chuvalo would get stopped after a battering similar to Frazier and Foreman. If they fought prime for prime Chuvalo would probably go into his shell once he realized he couldnt win and just look to finish. Outside of Foreman, who had ten kinds of hell with Lyle, it was quick, nimble fighters who avoided engaging that troubled Lyle. Chuvalo would have been made to order for him.
Lyel is a better boxer and heavier hitter, he comfortably beats Chuvalo ,its one for the most predictable outcomes you can envisage.
Ron Lyle could put it in another gear and box...he could "win ugly" if necessary...I'd pick Lyle by a decision.
I think it would make for a good fight, I see Lyle coming out on top. I feel Lyle is better overall then Chuvalo and would land the better punches in most of the rounds to win a clear but hard fought U/D.
Lyle was a pro...a seasoned pro...he wouldn't have even tried to ko the rock chinned Chuvalo...he'd have settled down to the task at hand and wins a relatively easy decision.
I noticed each has solid supporters in this posting for a fight between the two. One thing I disagree with is Lyle being stronger then George, other then Foreman Chuvalo didn't meet anyone stronger then him. That being said Ron learned how to be patient and box and he threw more punches then George, that would be enough for a rather pedestrian win.
Chuvalo was manhandled by Bob Cleroux, controlled fairly easily in the clinches by Ali in both fights, shoved around by Jimmy Ellis of all people (a fairly weak HW physically), he wasnt physically any stronger than Bonavena when they fought, Buster Mathis showed in the first round that he was stronger than Chuvalo and it was Chuvalo who faded late in that fight. Lyle would be just fine in a contest of strength against Chuvalo.