For the purposes of this thread, are we to presume an actual match between them circa 1981-1983, as opposed to peak for peak, with a late 1970s Acorn? I'll proceed on that assumption, since it easily could have happened in reality. Shavers wasn't necessarily as crude a boxer as stereotyped. No true world class slugger is utterly devoid of boxing ability. Henry Clark was a big and competent stylist. Behind his long jab, Earnie closed Clark's eye en route to a fine ten round decision in their first bout. Jumbo, on the other hand, actually did get out boxed by an aging and mothballed but still faster Joe Frazier in their December 1981 draw, and the Acorn did have underrated hand speed. Cummings was strong and rugged, but one of the slowest noteworthy heavyweights of his era, not much more than a ten round tough man with a padded record. Jeff Sims knocked him out two fights after Shavers climbed off the deck to take out Jeff himself in maybe the only notable come from behind win of Earnie's career. Jumbo's toughness does pose the question of whether or not Shavers takes him out. Floyd stood up to Larry Frazier (who Holmes wanted to defend against between Snipes and Cooney) and Witherspoon over the distance, as well as taking it from Sims and Bruno for several rounds. It might be argued that at least a couple of them were more effective punchers than Earnie, if not as hard hitting on a shot for shot basis. The Sims fight is damning for Jumbo's chances here. Cummings had the strength of Cobb, but not the toughness and durability. He had nowhere near the power of Mercado, and didn't even begin to approach the skill and mobility of Holmes and Tillis. The hot and cold Walter Santemore did pull off a huge upset of Earnie in late 1982, but the 6'5" Santemore was far more experienced against much tougher competition than Jumbo was at the time, and Tiger Williams showed that Shavers did have some issues with opponents of that height. I think Earnie does get him out later, rather than earlier. Cummings would probably try to outlast him and concede an early lead. However, Shavers was generally an effective front runner, not typically a good candidate to spot a margin to and overtake from behind. Once he got ahead, the toll his power had already extracted (particularly to the body) usually kept him in the lead. Lyle and Mercado overcame this with huge power, while Tiger Williams was not able to pull it off. Holmes and Ali managed him from the opening bell. Jumbo would allow himself to be dug into an early hole, then discover he could not climb out of it. Shavers KO 7 Cummings
