How come George Chuvalo shows no sign of damage?

for a guy that is at least 70 years old when this video was made, he looks better than most 60 year old guys who never even fought much less fought the biggest hitters of any era with over 50 or 60 fights
dude made a deal with the devil

 

Jack Johnson, Archie Moore, Jersey Joe Walcott, Earnie Terrell and Hurricane carter and several others who were 70+ were/are well spoken guys.

 

A couple of things that might be contributing factors:

1. Really thick skull
2. Genetics. Some people just recover from injuries, including brain injuries, better than others.
3. Chuvalo always claimed that he did a lot of rolling with punches or partially blocking them with arms and forearms. I've heard him jokingly say that if he really had got hit flush with all the punches that everyone thinks he did, he would be brain damaged for real.
4. There's a growing theory that the sort of brain injuries you get from boxing tend to do more damage if you start absorbing it young, when the brain is still doing its growing and developing, especially if it's before hormonal changes that take effect as you go through puberty. Chuvalo didn't pick up boxing until he was past that point.
5. He's one tough mother****er.

 

If you knew about his personal life you'd pretty much have to agree with this.

He had some tough fights in the ring, but his fights outside the ring were far tougher to deal with.

 

I teach kids how to Box. The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to turn against it.

I want a minimum contact age of 15. A developing brain should not risk damage. It has dire implications :/

 

Probably not a bad idea. I wonder if other attributes to the sport can be taught prior to age 15 that will still allow someone to learn the fundamentals of the sport without risking permanent brain damage.

 

You can certainly teach someone how to stand, how to throw a punch, how to move without having to get into contact.

Some things, like slipping a punch and such, probably do require at least a threat of contact to really sink home though.

 

People will argue that head guards help, but helping is not the same as preventing. I'm at a bit of a conflict over this.

There are things that I can teach that don't involve contact. Punching form, posture, footwork, shadow Boxing work, general fitness etc. Damn, thinking to do!

 

I couldn't deal with losing one kid,never mind three and the missus.
The power to get through that means you're dealing with a truly extraordinary specimen.
Ours should not be to reason why.

 

I'm sorry mate,but if it's not you,it'll be thousands of other guys.
Take the positive aspects of what you're doing,because they are plentiful,and focus on them.
The fact you're thinking like this only shows you've got a decent set of morals about you,but don't let them rule your head completely.
Find a balance and stick to what you're doing.:good

 

I'm only doing two nights a week now! I want kids to walk out able to defend themselves, fitter and more confident as developing personalities. Not potentially damaged. I don't have them spar much anyways. I'll have a word with the owner about imposing maximum limits for sparring, relating to each age group :think

As for Chuvalo, if you haven't seen Facing Ali then I'd reccomend it :good