Lennox Lewis v Earnie Shavers

Stylistically this is a horrible matchup for Shavers. Lennox would have too many advantages. If Lewis started off hot early, while Earnie was having one if his slower evenings, Lewis would have him out by probably no later than maybe 3 or 4.

Keep in mind, however, Shavers would always have a puncher's chance, but not a very good one.

 

Lewis is just too good. Earnie Shavers has NOTHING but a puncher's chance to win. Conventional wisdom tells you never to count on such chances. Having the power is one thing - landing it is something else. There were lots of guys that Lewis fought who had the power, that if given a free punch, would KO Lewis and many other fighters. Yet, only 2 did (and under slim chances too) in 15 years. Shavers has little chance.

Lewis will finish the fight on how he wishes. If he thinks that he is handling Shavers but that it is risky to have the acorn around for too long, he'll break him down under 8 rounds as he did to Morrison. If he is having an easy time and doesn't mind having the acorn around, he'll take it to round 10 or 11 and then finish off a tired Shavers.

Only another great fighter could beat Lewis.

 

Lewis ko 1.

Lewis will sometimes jump on fighters he may feel threatened by. Remember Ruddock, or Golata. Shavers would not be able to take that at all. With Shavers being that dangerous of a puncher, and known not to take a punch, I think Lewis would be all over him.

 

I dont think Shavers has a chance to get near the chin of Lennox and is dispatched in 1-2 rounds

 

Only another great fighter? Like McCall & Rahman? Lewis has all the tools, But tends to lose consentration now and then. Respect for Shavers punch would keep Lewis content with outboxing him at a distance. Probably a decision win unless Shavers gets very fatigued, then Lewis would take him out late.

 

Well, everything is based on probability. There is a .001% chance that I fight Muhammad Ali and as we square off, he slips on the canvas and the doctor stops the fight in my favor. It can happen. Diamond can also spontaneously turn into coal - it is true - but the probability is like 10^-12. McCall had a abritrarily small chance of winning (you can approximate that to 0 and most of the time no one will notice the difference). But that night, the minuscle probability prevailed. Diamond DID turn into coal. But how often does that happen? Negligible chances. I felt compelled to reply after getting pwned like that.

Same chances with Shavers LANDING.

 

I was expecting to read "Well Lewis has a horrible chin and Shavers is the biggest puncher in history, so eventually he'd find it and lay Lewis out. I give it two rounds" or something along those lines...

Thankfully common sense has prevailed!

Lewis would be far too skilled for Shavers and would stop him.

 

Lewis stays the hell out of Dodge for the first few rounds, keeps the charging Shavers on the end of the jab, then lays in the heavy artillery in the middle rounds to get a stoppage.

I'd give Shavers that puncher's chance against pretty much anyone though.

 

Shavers has his almost patented "punchers chance", but outside of that, i agree with Hobgoblins analysis if we're talking about a focused Lewis here. I don't see Shavers making it past the second round.

By the way Hobgoblin, do you work in the field of statistical physics?

 

Shavers will definitely land a big right hand on Lewis so it could be interesting.

 

I doubt it myself. Shavers was taken out by much lesser fighters without ever landing his best sunday punch. His right hand really is very telegraphed. Lewis has the height, reach, skill and respect not to get caught. As a matter of fact i can see Lewis absolutely manhandling Shavers from long range and getting him out of there without too much fuss.

 

This would be short. At his best, Lewis only boxed if he felt his chances of knocking out his opponent quickly were slim (Tyson, Tua, Holyfield). If faced with a proven puncher with a questionable chin, Lewis tried to get them out as quickly as possible before any problems arose (Ruddock, Golota, Grant).

Shavers lacks the defense to keep away from Lewis's bombs, which were extremely destructive when he loaded up. Lewis could stop Shavers with either hand; with the uppercut, hook or overhand right; his jab could dictate the tempo of the fight.

If they both come in with their A-game, we get a Frazier-Foreman I style fight, with Shavers repeatedly getting knocked down before being left a quivering wreck.