Big John Tate vs Earnie Shavers in 1979

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Sardu, Jul 6, 2014.


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  1. Sardu

    Sardu RIP Mr. Bun: 2007-2012 Full Member

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    Shavers was considered to be old and shopworn but had a career resurrection by kayoing an also shopworn Ken Norton in March of 1979.

    Shavers was handled by Don King as was Larry Holmes so it was Holmes who he challenged later that year losing via 11th round tko.

    Before John Tate had lost a shocking fight to Mike Weaver in March of 1980, he was considered to be a rising force in the division. He had defeated both Gerrie Coetzee and Kallie Knotzee, by 15-round decision and 8th round knockout respectfully in 1979. He also knocked out Duane Bobbick in the first round early in 79' as well as icing a decent Benardo Mercardo (who beat Shavers inside the distance in 1980 after being floored) in just two rounds in 1978.

    The reason the Weaver loss was shocking was because not only was Big John heavily favored to win, he also had been handily beating Weaver until a short lighting bolt of a left hook put Tate to sleep in the 15th round giving Weaver the WBA version of the title.


    Tate was never the same after that loss. He was looking to rebound against Trevor Berbick in his next fight on the Leonard-Duran "Brawl in Montreal" undercard. Instead suffering an 8th round kayo in which Tate's ability to absorb a decent punch was totally absent.


    Although he was knocked out by the great Telifilio Stevenson in the amateur ranks, no one was aware of any glaring deficiency in Tate to take a punch prior to the Weaver and Berbick bouts. He had defeated Coetzee in the fall of 1979 without undue difficulties. Coetzee was regarded as a big puncher escpecially the bionic right cross that would kayo Michael Dokes for the title in 1083.


    I feel that Tate would have been a prohibitive favorite to defeat Shavers in late-79' to early 1980 before the Weaver fight. Who would you pick?
     
    Sardu, Jul 6, 2014
    Sardu, Jul 6, 2014
    #1
  2. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Before Tate's world collapsed along with his chin vs Mike Weaver, he was really on a roll, and had the heavyweight world at his feet....I think the Tate that outpointed Coetzee would have easily outpointed Shavers as well...of course that is...if an errant Shavers right hand didn't follow the script and land on big John's chin.......and at that point in time I don't think it would have because Tate's confidence was intact then.
     
    red cobra, Jul 6, 2014
    red cobra, Jul 6, 2014
    #2
  3. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Got to go with Tate as well, although his whiskers are questionable and Shavers hit like a truck.
    Still, Tate is a lot more skilled and should have this in the bag by decision.
     
    fists of fury, Jul 6, 2014
    fists of fury, Jul 6, 2014
    #3
  4. Sardu

    Sardu RIP Mr. Bun: 2007-2012 Full Member

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    Tate was a heavy puncher in addition to his fine boxing skills. Shavers would run out of gas if he didn't get you out of there early. In late 79' I pick Tate to stop Shavers inside the distance in round 9 after surviving a few dicey moments.
     
    Sardu, Jul 6, 2014
    Sardu, Jul 6, 2014
    #4
  5. heizenberg

    heizenberg Well-Known Member Full Member

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    John Tate should be able to beat Shavers but Shavers always got a decent punchers chance.
     
    heizenberg, Jul 6, 2014
    heizenberg, Jul 6, 2014
    #5
  6. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Tate became a good fighter and was shutting out Weaver until the KO in the 15th, that fight ruined big John and Weaver was one of the few guys that could pull the trigger with power late in the fight, shame that fight ruined him.

    The Tate that beat Knoetzee, Coetzee and was beating Weaver would stop Earnie before the 8th round. Big John had that style that piled up points and had a good work ethic that would wear you down, his defense was good and he used a jab and movement
     
    Bummy Davis, Jul 6, 2014
    Bummy Davis, Jul 6, 2014
    #6
  7. Vince Voltage

    Vince Voltage Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If Earnie caught him, it'd be over. But most likely you guys are right; Big John was on an impressive roll at the time and would have outboxed Earnie without too much trouble.
     
    Vince Voltage, Jul 6, 2014
    Vince Voltage, Jul 6, 2014
    #7
  8. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Yes, Bummy, you're probably right here....a stoppage would have been very possible vs Tate..again, as long as Earnie didn't land a stray bomb on Big John's chin.
     
    red cobra, Jul 6, 2014
    red cobra, Jul 6, 2014
    #8
  9. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Oh Tate would box the ears of him, a shutout or more likely mid to late stoppage.
     
    mattdonnellon, Jul 6, 2014
    mattdonnellon, Jul 6, 2014
    #9
  10. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    :dealAll of that works.
     
    red cobra, Jul 6, 2014
    red cobra, Jul 6, 2014
    #10
  11. energie

    energie Boxing Addict Full Member

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    tate
     
    energie, Jul 6, 2014
    energie, Jul 6, 2014
    #11
  12. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    your right R.C. hey good to see you :good
     
    Bummy Davis, Jul 6, 2014
    Bummy Davis, Jul 6, 2014
    #12
  13. Curtis Lowe

    Curtis Lowe Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tate would out box Shavers and KO Earnie prior to the 10th round.

    I think Tate's 2 KO losses were due to him physically hitting a wall, where his body simply could continue at a decent pace. Yes Weaver cracked John with one the great left hooks, but would have had anything left he could have stayed away and lasted to the bell.

    The Berbick loss was due to Tate's management team being a bunch of morons. Why in the hell would anyone have their fighter fight 3 months after being brutally KOed?

    Whomever researched Berbick for Tate's comeback fight should have beeen shot.
     
    Curtis Lowe, Jul 7, 2014
    Curtis Lowe, Jul 7, 2014
    #13
  14. kenmore

    kenmore Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I pick Tate by KO. Tate was at his peak in 1979, and he was dominant against guys who couldn't hit him. I think the Shavers, the much smaller of the two, would have sucked up a lot of punishment at long range and been blasted out by the 9th or 10th round.

    I don't expect that Earnie could have reached Tate's chin, although if he did, he'd win by one punch KO.
     
    kenmore, Jul 7, 2014
    kenmore, Jul 7, 2014
    #14
  15. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    John would have more than enough to keep Earnie at bay until stopping him in the 11th or 12th round.
     
    Titan1, Jan 14, 2015
    Titan1, Jan 14, 2015
    #15
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