Earnie Shavers, by far, 'one of, if not the hardest hitting heavyweight'. His first 'big win' over a name guy. 9/28/71 W KO 5 over Pat Duncan (17-3-1) For something called 'The USA Nevada State Heavyweight Championship) Earnie was 30-2-0 going into that fight, and still had not been considered 'Top 10 Caliber'.
Shavers had a remarkably long string of fourth-rate opponents "padding" his record, until he stepped up to fight the top journeymen and the ranked fighters. Really, I suppose this was good management. I know Don King came along and stole Shavers, but who were his managers in the early years and what kind of venues/promotions was he fighting in ?
MR. UN. Don't think the 'boxing scribes' gave much credence to Earnie Shavers winning ways, early in his career. Kind of considered him another 'circus act', clobbering little guys. Escpecially with hair, he looked like Amos Johnson. He started to get noticed, after that first big win in Las Vegas. His early managers, Blackie Genarro and Dean Chance (baseball pitcher)
