Who wins? In their prime. We all know that Shavers "allegedly" has the hardest punch out of all the heavyweights and I agree with that for the most part). But then there is foreman who has been known to knock people out with glancing blows. How does this go down? Like Ron Lyle and Foreman back in the day? I think it would turn into a slugger's fest but probably over before the 5th round. Win to Foreman (at least that's my vote).
While Shaver’s power could potentially stop anyone, I think Foreman’s two fisted attack would likely bury Shavers before he had a chance to get much off on him. Earnie was extremely dangerous but also had too many vulnerabilities of his own.
Foreman all the way - it seems. However, for audience gratification, you’d want to see Shavers land some of his own bombs first to spice it up. Earnie might then hurt Foreman badly, maybe score a KD or two, lending to a 2-3 round to and fro punch up, punch out. I’d still take the more positively tried and tested George in this scenario, not wishing harm to either fighter but a real time kill or be killed duke out would be that much more compelling. Foreman would no doubt shove Earnie away as he did Frazier - how does Shavers combat that? If nothing else, Shavers should adopt a when in Rome approach, grabbing Foreman behind the head and ripping lethal uppercuts at the same time - something Earnie did anyway, LOL. On paper, Foreman might appear too tall for that tactic - but then Shavers, with those long arms, pulled it off with both hands vs the taller again, 6’4” Bugner, yielding an instant KD. Shavers had that 79” reach (as listed and very believable) - that often allowed Earnie to get some big shots home from the outside against taller opposition - particular attention to launching the overhand right might see a notable, stylistic vulnerability/disadvantage for Foreman. Obviously, without bias, I’m focusing on talking up the possibilities/chances for Earnie since George (imo) has the all the advantages on several fronts otherwise to make him a justifiably strong favourite to put Shavers out in 1-2 rounds. In such cases, without over weighting, it’s natural to examine all the potentially available avenues for the underdog to defy the popular forecast.
It would be shorter than the Lyle fight, but George would get massively shaken, perhaps knocked down or practically out on his feet at some point. However, Foreman was a much better fighter. In a wild fight that would rival Hagler- Hearns, Earnie goes out cold from a terrifying left-right in the 3rd.
I like this scenario. Both would be throwing bombs I'm sure lol @ "out cold from a terrifying left-right" sounds like it would be another signature KO to add to the already long list.
The winner would not be decided only by the greater power of the punch, but also by a better chin. And looking from that angle; Foreman would win. The chances that this fight would end in a decision are very small (15 rounds of Foreman Vs Shavers, and it won't be a knockout )
I think this would likely look reminiscent of first George Foreman Vs Joe Frazier fight but Earnie Shavers certainly not getting up as many times as Frazier does? I like Earnie Shavers and its seems a shame just to say he gets knocked out emphatically I'd still enjoying seeing Shaver's rock Foreman with some huge bombs himself and Foreman knows he needs to get Shavers out of there promptly!
Earnie has become the most over-rated fighter of all-time. He was bombed out in a round by Jerry Quarry and stopped by Ron Stander while at his peak. Big George would casually walk him down using his under-rated defensive ability to catch punches and position his opponents with his hands and arms. Shavers would be counted out before the end of round 3. Foreman is one of the best fighters ever, Earnie Shavers had a big right hand and not a great deal else.
I can't see it going beyond 2 rounds.Once Foreman starts to tee off on Shavers, Earnie will start hitting the deck.
I don't see any scenario where Foreman doesn't win this, the only question is how Foreman wins it. Theres two scenarios. Scenario 1: Foreman blows away Shavers in the first 2 rounds, in a surprisingly very one sided fight. Scenario 2: Foreman wins again by KO this time in 4 rounds, but Shavers has some moments rocking Foreman possibly flooring him, but once again Foreman wins by KO early but in a tougher fight. When you have 2 big punchers fighting eachother, but one is a bit of a glass cannon with stamina issues aka Shavers. I don't see how Shavers could possibly be favoured in this match up, barring a very lucky hail mary right hand, but Foreman was only ever stopped once and that was more due to fatigue.
Foreman was a far better fighter overall, and I think Shavers is a lot less likely to get up from a KD than Foreman is. The fight might end up a sloppy mess like Foreman-Lyle though.
Prime Foreman has Shavers out of there by the end of the 2nd round. Earnie will not have a chance to get off, for George is not going to let him get off. He hurts Earnie badly by the end of the 1st round, kayoes him in the 2nd.
actually wondering why this fight was never made? would have been a slug fest with big george prevailing by knock out around the 7th or 8th.
