Who wins this match up? Two monster hitters going at it. For sure this one does not go the distance. Will Tyson take Shavers out first? Or while Tyson is engaging Shavers will Shavers land his right and game over for Tyson? "everyone has a plan til they get punched in the mouth " - Mike Tyson Tyson 5'10. 218 lbs " anything i can hit i can take out " - Earnie Shavers 6 feet 208 lbs
In the thread "The most overrated Boxer ever" i named Shavers as one of them. Yes, his punching power is undeniable, he could have been the hardest puncher in HW history, but as a fighter overall he is overrated as hell. He always gets compared with Ali, Foreman and Frazier, but he was not even close to them, and he was not close to Holmes. He was KOed in 1 or 2 rounds by Jerry Quarry.
You would think Tyson, because of his evasive movement and speed. But Earnie was pretty damn good at his best, and yes, I'd sure put him up there with the 70's best
Mike wins nine times out of ten or more. But he doesn't win 100 times out of 100. Earnie would always have the classic puncher's chance against anyone but if they fought 100 times, Mike would score an early, and brutal, kayo the vast majority of times.
Always a chance in boxing that something out of the blue happens. Shavers has power, he'd have to be extremely lucky imo tho to stop Tyson. I'll say Tyson ko I.
Shavers massive power & decent boxing skills made him a contender even in an excellent era for HWs. But he had marked flaws, endurance & to an extent chin. Imperfect finishing skills. It is an overstatement to take his limitations & think he is not a top contender at his best-boxing is not just adding up all flaws & giving a mark-otherwise Ali would be at best a journeyman. It is how well you can put things together OR use a devastating virtue to succeed. That said, it is an overstatement to say he among the best of the 70's. Ali, Foreman, Frazier, then Holmes were significantly better. Shavers & Tyson...There respective styles would not make for a long fight like against Holmes X2. Tyson has much greater skills, speed & combinations & to some extent chin. Takes him out by round 1-5.
Mike Tyson draws first, takes out The Acorn, Earnie Shavers in round 1. If Jerry Quarry could do it on Dec 14 1973, then it stands to reason that Mike could replicate the same result.
Shavers didn't like pressure. The second that Quarry started pressuring him backwards, he was screwed. If a master of cutting off the ring like Tyson got in there with Shavers, Shavers would be screwed.