He’s known as the “Fighting Fisherman” and at one time was the most famous New Brunswicker in the world.

Yvon Durelle was born and raised in Baie-Sainte-Anne New Brunswick. He left school at an early age to fish, as did most men in the area, and began boxing around New Brunswick before turning pro in 1948. Here are nine facts about this man’s extraordinary life:

Durelle became Canadian middleweight champion in 1953 and then moved up to the light heavyweight division.

His first fight outside Canada was in Brooklyn against an up and coming fighter named Floyd Paterson. Durelle lost on points against the man who would later become the heavyweight champion of the world. The fight put Durelle on the boxing map in the United States.

After moving up through the ranks, Durelle fought the champ Archie Moore in 1958 in the Forum in Montreal in what is still regarded as one of the most epic fights in boxing history. The bout was one of the first fights broadcast coast-to-coast on American television.

Durelle knocked down Moore three times in the first round. Under today’s three knockdown rule, Durelle would have won the fight. Instead Moore hung on until he knocked out Durelle in the 11th round. The Canadian Press voted the fight the sporting event of the year.

Recalling their first fight, Archie Moore said, “The first time he [Durelle] put me down, I hit my head first, then my feet. I was laying there, and I thought, ‘Wow, this guy can hit.’”

Durelle was devastated when he lost many friends and family in the 1959 “Escuminac Disaster,” when 40-foot tidal waves pounded the coast along Escuminac and Baie- Saint-Anne, killing 35 people, mostly fisherman. A few months later, a still distraught Durelle lost a rematch with Archie Moore by a third round knockout.

Despite his power, Durelle was a modest and gentle person. His nickname was said to be “Doux,” meaning soft in English.

Given the extraordinary ups and downs he experienced in his life, the National Film Board of Canada produced a documentary called “The Yvon Durelle Story.”

In 1977, Durelle shot and killed a man who attacked him in his bar, “The Fighting Fisherman.” He was charged with murder but was successfully defended by young Miramichi lawyer named Frank McKenna. McKenna went on to become premier of New Brunswick and Canada’s ambassador to the United States.