Does Ellis in his peak 1969/70 form manage to pull off a victory against prime Shavers? Or will it go the same way it did in 1973?
50/50. If I remember correctly Ellis, actually had Shavers hurt early, before the referee separated them. Gun to my head, give me Ellis.
I'd pick Ellis to win most of the time. Ellis could get caught like he did in their actual fight, or Shavers could get caught by Ellis like he was caught by Quarry. Like Swag mentioned, it seems like Ellis had hurt Shavers in the fight, then Shavers knocked him out.
I'm rooting for Shavers. Yes sure Shavers was hurt in their fight but that was the less experience version. Pretty every glass jaw fighters learn how to take a punch significantly better compared in their earlier days and maybe, even their respective primes. Shavers was easily wobbled by Ellis and Quarry who are non big punchers somehow, he's the same fighter who took bombs from the likes of Bernardo Mercado, Jeff Sims, Ron Lyle and was not easily put out. Hell! Lyle and Mercado didn't knock Shavers out, his gas tank did. He took bombs by bombs and he simply could not continue due to the fact his opponents took all of his bombs. Sims on the other hand, whether he is a ATG puncher or not, I think we all can agree that he must be first rate puncher who could hurt many of his opponents with his punches. The fact that Shavers survived the picture perfect right cross was very impressive considering a punch like that is still dangerous if you're not a big puncher. I think Shavers would win this one, but not as easily as their encounter in 1973.
It’s always hard to say when an aging fighter loses in only one round to an younger one. Could being five years younger have made the difference ? Maybe. If a young Jimmy can get past the first few rounds and establish control of the fight then yes. But Shavers’ devastating punching power coupled with Jimmy’s average chin would always leave some hesitation in my mind
Think of it like this Jimmy Young was blown away by Shavers early, but in the rematch by all accounts he deserved the win. If they fought 10 times at their best i think Ellis wins the series, he would adapt as he's the best boxer of the two, but that's not how boxing works normally you only get 1 chance. So i can't say for sure that Ellis would win, in an all or nothing 1 fight series winner takes all, as it only takes 1 from Shavers as seen in their actual fight. And Ellis's chin is not exactly granite.
The Young fights are a good analogy, Jimmy doing so much better the 2nd time around. The second fight also illustrates the ever present danger of Earnie’s power - as per description, Shavers still knocked Young down in the 2nd fight - in round 4 IIRC via a body shot. It was described as a hard KD - but Young got back up and survived the round. I think Ellis would win a series also, until Earnie dropped the single bomb, Ellis was giving him a good going over and had him hurt. In fact, early successes notwithstanding, Ellis might’ve been a bit too aggressive, it would’ve perhaps paid to back off a bit.
Shavers hit harder than Frazier, and Ellis tended to not be the defensive wizard a few people around here think he could be. He gets smacked out earlier than Joe smacked him out at any time in his career.
