Earnie Shavers - ESB's Undisputed king of power.

Absolutely agree. That fight is a contentious one. I think Earnie wasn't ready when Ali anchored himself in the 15th and started really throwing with accuracy. He got caught off guard, in the same vain to how Foreman surprised Moore. Not that it was Ali's plan like it was Foremans, but Earnie had been on the end of Ali's 'featherduster' jab (as it was dubbed by Frazier) , and weak combinations then all the sudden in the final round Ali starts to seriously throw, and hit over and over again. Must have confused the hell out of Earnie.

 

Yeah, whatever the plan was - which was prob expecting Earnie to blast away and tire early - which of course didn’t pan out - Earnie wasn’t going to be suckered - so ultimately , it morphed into desperate fighting in the Championship Rounds.

Of course Ali was duly wary of Ernie’s power, particularly when he tasted it first hand - but there was not one ounce of fear or timidity - I mean, my god, it was Earnie Shavers - but there’s Ali, like old faithful, still fighting his fight as best he could, upholding a ridiculously sturdy chin. Amazing.

 

We agree that Foreman was better & more dangerous than Shavers. But that is comparing a World Class fighter to an ATG.
If Louis did not swing for the fences-you are right about his style-anything is possible with a fairground/bolo shot.
But likely he showed what he had-better than everyone mentioned, a devastating combination puncher-but not necessarily because he was a little smaller, not the hardest hitter around.

Hitting really hard & being arguably the GOAT-at least in achievement-doe snot mean it is likely shot for shot he struck anyone the very hardest.
I'll bet at least Baer & Two Ton Tony among his vanquished opponents hit harder, & doubt he would have disagreed.

We cannot know how much difference there is between a Foreman & a Shavers, but it cannot be too much.
Because in any sport which has numerous competitors for years, even the most outlier new records are something under 10%.
Like Bob Beamon & Mexico City...Even breaking 5% over the next best ever is very unusual.

 

Yeah JT, he’s not too shabby, is he?

I missed the days when I used to be the new Wunderkind on the block. Ah well, the torch has to be eventually passed.

 

Ah, that’s Welcome to the Big Time. I’ve heard of it - now you recommend it I may well buy it. Have you read or know the best Liston bio? Swag recommended The Devil and…so I’m leaning toward that. I’m just finishing up my books on the old guard by Adam Pollack - Fitz, Jeffries, Johnson and Dempsey part 1.

I’m gonna need some more books. Liston and Shavers sound like the ticket.

I’ve never met any famous fighters - but we still have with us the 2 top punchers of the golden era and all time - unreal - I’d love to meet George and Earnie - they should do a world tour together - make it easier for me.

 

Ha! I did mean this block! I’ve moved into Senior Psycho territory now.

 

Sweet. My first cursory read thought you meant Floyd! Yes, of course, the “better” Mayweather, Jeff, would be the perfect complement, not least for his signature laugh.

 

Thanks mate I'm not gonna lie before I joined this site, I never really did scorecards. I watched plenty of fights, and kept a rough scorecard in my head. But never really did an official RBR scorecard, @Jel @scartissue been getting me into it. In that scorecard thread we have stickied here. And ever since that I do enjoy scoring the odd fight now.