Since the release of a movie based on him, partly, I figured I'd try and get on conversation going on the Hatchetman. Archie Moore said he had never been hit as hard as he was from Shepard, didn't he? Gah, anyone have a link to that short story of sorts written by the guy who spent time in prison with Shepard?
Sheppard had a strong reputation as a thunderous puncher among his peers in the heavyweight division and in the press. He was the only man ever to stop Joey Maxim in Maxim's 110+ professional fights. Archie Moore said Sheppard hit him harder than anyone else he ever fought (in fact, Moore and Sheppard both bestowed that praise on each other), and Bert Sugar ranked him, I believe, #15 in his book on the greatest punchers. He had an ugly win-loss record, having suffered numerous losses to elite black fighters of the era (twice to Archie Moore, twice to Jersey Joe Walcott, four times to Jimmy Bivins, four times to Lee Q. Murray, twice to Joey Maxim [who was white, but mixed with most of the top blacks]), etc.- you can see how the losses built up), but he was a feared and respected contender nonetheless and posted his share of major wins, including the blow-out of Maxim and two wins over Murray, and he floored both Walcott and Moore in losses to them. It's on the CBZ...
The guy sometimes posts on ESB. His name is Rocky Alzikoff -- did hard time with Shepard. Has chilling stories about it. Perhaps he'll learn of this thread and join in.
He was not the only one who said that. A couple of guys who fought Joe Louis said that Shepard was the hardest hitter they ever faced.