Once again, This is one of those matchups where it would have depended on who launched a successful onslought first. Cooney typically charged out of the gate right away within the first 3-4 rounds. Shavers, on the otherhand fell victom early to the likes of guys like Lyle and Quarry. These men were different types of fighters than Cooney, however. Frankly, if Earnie could land a few overhand rights early, I think he'd hurt Gerry pretty badly. Cooney never really showed that he could survive the attack of a dangerous world class fighter like a Shavers. As I said before though, Cooney would also be a big threat to Earnie in the early stages of the fight. One way or another, this one ain't going beyond round 4, and both guys would be drinking from straws for a month after.
Cooney is one of those fighters that is on the "cusp". High admiration in some instances, considered a "dog" in others. Shavers goes 15 with Ali, but could get blown out by Cooney. If Cooney is really serious, yeah, I think he could k.o. Shavers. A shame that Angelo Dundee or some other really good trainer didn't have Cooney for the critical period in his career to see what Cooney could have really accomplished.
I can see where you are coming from...I tend to lean towards Shavers, even though this is essentially a "pick em" fight. The winner would have been the guy who landed the first really good punch. People here are overlooking that Shavers had much quicker hands than Cooney. This advantage may have counterbalanced Cooney's superior height and reach.
If Earnie lands early it could be over just that Jerry should land the jab and hook enough to get Shavers out of there but Earnie could land one also...who was more vulnerable...Earnie was shakey...just that the size issue in this fight may be a problem for Shavers with that long hook of Gerry's...I was a the lyle fight and a hook to the body and one to the head ended it in1 rd and Norton the same...Earnie went the same way with Quarry but jerry had a solid set of wiskers
Shavers was gone after the Holmes rematch; Cooney would of added The Acorn to the list of Young, Norton and Lyle rather easily in 80-82.
