I can't see Shavers stopping guys Louis stopped though. Maybe it's just the difference in class but Louis is so much better and has such a powerful hands that I can't give Shavers edge. Who would you say was the most durable fighter Shavera stopped?
Yow, that's a good question! I want to say Norton but Kenny was like that almost entirely against boxers. Come to think of it, I'm not sure he did beat a durable fighter. I always thought Joe had more of an ubiquitous than massively powerful right hand. He was like Larry in that sense (though obviously a harder puncher, to say the least)...Joe was so good at persevering with the right. He'd get it in over and over until the opponent was beyond drunk, just a stumbler waiting to get finished. I do think Joe might have been the only hwt. boxer to conceivably knock Larry out cold (and I mean cold, not where he's just waiting for the fight to be called over because he's sure if he gets up he'll just get knocked down again).
I have a hard time favoring ANY heavyweight over FOTC Frazier. I honestly believe even Foreman might have knocked Joe down a couple of times, but then worn down and stopped in 10 (awaiting the hate). Lewis had a monster right hand and (with Steward) a way underrated left hook. I put him close to the level of punching Shavers, Foreman but not quite there. But that's just my opinion. Wlad was more of a boxer/puncher imo. Guys like prime Holy would have eaten him for breakfast, Ali and Holmes would have had him stumbling all over the ring in 9 rounds. I do like Wlad
I boringly bring this up too much, I know. But FOTC Frazier might have been the greatest heavyweight whom ever lived. And it proved a fluke: he never fought like that again, at least not as good. That's one of the reasons I have trouble putting Joe overall above Foreman, Lewis, Tyson. There wasn't enough longevity, and perhaps too few commanding performances.
Ye, I reckon your Frazier stopping Foreman opinion might cause some disturbance. I think Lewis would do something similar to this put force more action to Ali
I'd say Shavers because so many ex-fighters hold/held that opinion including two ATG's and one Ali also fought Liston,Williams, Forman, Frazier, and Lyle all known for their dynamic punching ability. J.Louis was of course the most complete heavyweight puncher in history, when factoring in timing,speed, technical ability and power . But one shot for one shot , I'd pick Shavers basing that on fighters themselves.
Whilst I know this is sarcasm, who'd you pick? Coz I can tell you know your stiff just from reading your posts
Young George Foreman has to be up there. What he did to the usually iron chinned Joe Frazier was ridiculous.
As far as I know, he never weighed as low. Besides, the less he weighed, the more impressive his KOs are in P4P sense.
To me, hardest hitter is not something you assess on a pound for pound sense. No one will convince me that Joe Louis hit harder than George Foreman or Ernie Shavers.
The most durable fighter Shavers stopped was probably Jimmy Young. Nobody else kod Young except Cooney, when Young was past it, and it was on cuts.