One of my favorites as a young fight fan. And he was a very nice guy on top of that. Sad to see you go, Earnie. RIP. (Side note: His real last name was SHAVER. Not Shavers. He just kept getting announced as Shavers, people called him Shavers, and they put Shavers on posters, so he went by it. That's how easy going he was. )
I've also heard he was supposed to be an absolute gent too and obviously he was a fine fighter with supernatural power. RIP
So sad to hear this one of the most devastating and exciting knockout artists ever. May you rest in peace Earnie you'll never be forgotten for Ellis KO, Holmes Knockdown, and Ali fight.
Earnie Shavers, whose thunderous punches stopped 68 fighters and earned him heavyweight title fights with Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes, has died the day after his 78th birthday. Born in Garland, Alabama, in 1944 Shavers grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and was a relatively late starter to boxing – he was 22 when he first tried his hand at the sport. Rising quickly, he won the 1969 National AAU heavyweight title before a professional career that spanned 26 years from 1969-1995, which included two abbreviated returns from retirement. His final record in the ring was 74 wins, 68 by knockout, 14 defeats and one draw.
RIP to arguably the hardest puncher in boxing history. He gave a tough fight snd almost ko'd Holmes. He was unlucky to never win the title. I always wondered how he ended up a bouncer in Liverpool?
He had a girlfriend who lived there, once he got to Liverpool he got the job as doorman offered and accepted it... Remember Julius Francis throwing a big right while working the door? Imagine Earnie doing that... Wow!
That night in Dallas we also asked each other that question Who was the hardest puncher in boxing The verdict was Earnie Shavers He'd laughed when my answer was. "I don't know none of them ever hit me" He leaned over & said " Ask old Tex then he'll tell ya it was me " LOL