Earnie Shavers is a heavyweight legend who fought in one of the division’s golden periods alongside Muhammad Ali.
American Shavers was blessed with incredible one-punch knockout power and had some epic nights in the ring and fought plenty of well-known names.
He turned pro in 1974 and soon racked up wins against the likes of Jimmy Young and Jimmy Ellis then took an upset loss to Jerry Quarry. He rebuilt well before another setback against Ron Lyle.
His most famous fight was his first world title tilt and it came in 1977 against Ali. Although Shavers lost on points after 15 rounds, he was catapulted to new levels of recognition and went on to beat Ken Norton by first-round knockout.
Shavers then he got a second world title shot, this time in a rematch with Larry Holmes after the pair had already met in 1978 when Holmes won a wide points victory.
Speaking to Boxing News, Shavers was full of praise for Holmes and even claimed he was above Ali as the best he ever faced after ‘The Easton Assassin’ climbed off the canvas to beat him by KO.
“I think Larry Holmes was the best fighter I ever fought. He was better than Ali. See, they both had great jabs, but Ali’s was a flicking jab; Holmes’ was a puncher’s jab! They were both truly great of course, but I give Larry the edge.”
Shavers knocked out 70 of the 78 men he beat, 23 of them within the first round, and passed away in 2022 aged 78.
