Shavers is underrated imo and for me remains the biggest puncher in heavyweight history. Still I lean towards Wilder in this due to his size and athleticism although I think it’s a matter of who lands first. 2018 Wilder was badly hurt by Ortiz who doesn’t hit half as hard as Shavers.
Whoever lands first; I agree. The question is - who has the better chin? I didn't think about it, and even now I can't make up my mind.
About the same level of fighter, which speaks to the appaling state of the modern post Lewis/Tyson/Holyfield HW division. Wilder, in some fights tended to take longer to find a good shot and got outboxed in the process until that point. If Shavers manages to land a big one himself while outboxing Wilder, he might get him out before Wilder can time him.
Whoever lands first really. This sort of fight is one outside of a wild west saloon. No fight more puncher V puncher or more KO written over it. I think Wilder would KO Shavers out inside two rounds with a huge counter. Shavers was a bit of a glass cannon who left himself quite open, whom his punches were often quite telegraphed - especially as he was an aggressive front foot fighter, whereas Wilder does have a underrated strong chin. The physical advantages, height and reach Wilder has, doesn't exactly help Shavers either.
The big difference is Shavers has boxing fundamentals and knows how to dodge hits. Wilder doesn't. Another difference is Shavers still had some composure on him after getting slugged whereas Wilder, as we saw in the Fury fights, loses all sense of thought whenever he gets slugged. I would bet on Shavers to win.
