How's Eddie do against one of the hardest hitting guys in heavyweight history? Does he end up, as he did against Ingo, ktfo? Or does he do a hit and move on Shavers?
From what I have seen and read about Earnie Shavers he is a real nice guy, but to put him in with an in-form Machen would not be a good idea.
I would not call it a beating, but he would slowly beat up Shavers, maybe like the Valdes fight. Points or a late tko.
Hey, Eddie Machen lasted twelve rounds against prime Sonny Liston on Sept 7 1960, Liston was awarded the win on points. If Eddie can last 12 with Sonny, he would last the distance or score a TKO 10. Earnie has dynamite in his dukes at the very beginning of a fight but he tends to fade as the fight goes past the 4th or 5th round. Earnie almost went down in round 15 against World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali on Sept 29 1977 in Madison Square Garden from pure exhaustion despite rocking Ali early in the fight. Also the fact that Jerry Quarry jumped all over Shaver's early on Dec 14 1973, stopping Earnie in round 1. Machen in peak form boxes from a long distance learning from his Sept 14 1958 encounter with Ingo when he was stopped in round 1 by the dreaded Bingo.
Thank you Richard. Can always rely on you to give guys like Machen respect. Machen v Liston is evident that Machen can play it safe against the biggest punchers. I also see Liston as a much more technical fighter than Shavers. Like you said Muhammad Ali came on strong in the 15th round, Earnie might not have enough gas in the tank. Machen would do all he could to take it the distance, and he has a solid chance of gassing Shavers if he plays his cards right.
I have seen Earnie fire his bolt's early in a match, then fade from exhaustion. Eddie was a really good boxer who could judge distance especially after his encounter against Ingo in 1958. And you are welcome, I have always respected Eddie, whom I personally think beat Ernie Terrell on March 5 1965 for the vacant WBA Title.
On his best night I don't know if anyone was as patient as Machen. Earnie would have a lot of trouble finding range. Machen would have no issue picking his shots with the utmost care and thats why I see Shavers losing. Self-restraint.
Earnie Shavers has a “ Puncher’s chance “ against pretty much anybody. But aside from that, Eddie Machen was the far more skilled, mobile and durable fighter leading me to make him the favorite.