Alexander Povetkin vs Ernie Shavers

Regardless of Shavers exact power the fact is he was far less consistent than Povetkin and generally lost to his best opponents while Povetkins only loss is to a prime Wladimir Klitschko. Povetkin seems to have a considerable advantage in skill.

So heavily favoring him seems reasonable given that Shavers power failed to bail him out against his better opposition.

Bugner was stopped on cuts he wasn't counted out so not sure how relevant that is power wise

 

Excellent points.

 

Could Shavers punch absolutely. Undeniable. But he didn’t stop many top fighters. Jimmy Young was 7-3 when he lost to him and by most accounts deserved the rematch that ended in a draw.
Norton a big name but was not good against Punchers. Ellis a blown up middle.
Everyone wants to talk Shavers power. How about Povetkin’s power? He one shotted the number 2 ring rated heavyweight Dillian Whyte is in his backyard. He crushed Mike Perez in one round with basically one punch although he got up to stumble around before the stoppage. How about 6’8 250lb giant Price watch that knockout. Or Duhaupas a guy Wilder couldn’t get off his feet in 11 rounds. Made the iron jawed Wach quit after tendering his face and breaking it open.
Povetkin only stopped once at 39 to 6’5 245 Joshua.
Povetkin is better defensively, and offensively and has beaten far better opposition than Shavers. And between the two he has the way better chin.
Shavers has a slim punchers chance really slim. And that’s it

 

The Bugner example was simply to point out that Shavers stopped him faster than any other opponent so it's only logical that he would pick Shavers as the hardest puncher he faced. Shavers did knock him down, something skilled ranked guys like Greg Page, Lyle, Ali, and Cooper failed to do.. No one else had Bugner so badly hurt so early on in a fight. Bugner was very durable and cautious so it also indicates Shavers had to have some skill to be able to stop a guy like that.

I do agree Povetnkin is more consistent than Shavers and should be favored, but to suggest he doesn't have to worry about Shavers' power is a nonsensical claim when Povetkin's style involves pressing forward into close range. Not to mention Povetkin was dropped by the mediocre David Price and was brutally knocked down 2x and nearly stopped by the wild swinging Dillian Whyte who is something of a modern day Shavers and not exactly skilled either.