It would be a shootout however long it lasts, some of my favourite the durability of Baer, but some may think Shavers is able to pounce on him early, beat him to the punch with better technique and delivery and take him out, but I suspect most wouldn’t pick the latter.
I think between Baers durability and ability to carry his power he comes out with a win. But you never know a Shavers.
Never thought you'd pick a Baer to win against any post 1960s heavyweight. If you pick Max Baer to KO Usyk, I'll know an imposter is posting from your account
Why? I say Louis wrecks modern fighters all the time? I don’t favour any era, I judge things case by case.
Power Tiny edge Shavers maybe Speed Shavers Chin Baer Footwork Baer Technique Shavers Combinations Shavers Stamina Baer Body shots Baer Defense Even (both were terrible) Timing Shavers Accuracy Even (both were sloppy) Combinations Shavers Ring IQ Baer Heart Shavers 7-2-5 Slight edge Shavers Depends on which Baer shows up. Shavers almost certainly loses unless it's prime Shavers 74-79. At his best, he had what it takes to survive a chaotic war with Shavers. Baer has a great chin, but a questionable heart, while Shavers had a questionable chin and great heart. Both hit hard enough to give a T Rex a headache, and both had bad defense and a tendency to slug, so it isn't a question of "if" there'll be a KO, but when. Baer has many physical advantages including durability and stamina, but his lack of discipline in terms of both his technique and will to win could cost him. If Baer is even a little out of shape, fools around (which he often did), or falters in his heart, Shavers would eat him alive. Those are a lot of "ifs", and if you have to qualify so many statements to favor someone, there's a good chance they might lose. On paper, if Baer puts on his game face from round 1 and makes it a rough, tough ugly fight immediately trying to take Shavers' head off, that's his best chance to win. It would probably closely resemble the Lyle fight with a similar result: Baer weathering the storm and peeling himself off the canvas to win a painful battle. He was overall tougher than Shavers and also had edges in height and reach, and in a rough world fight Shavers' advantages in timing, technique, etc would be negligible. We've seen Shavers crumble under pressure multiple times. So despite tallying several things for Shavers, my better judgement tells me Baer likely wins this more often than not. I except him to win at least 65-70% of the time simply because with these two, it's almost guaranteed they'll meet ring center and it'll erupt into a wild war where Baer will have the advantage and eventually drowns Shavers who wasn't known for his endurance. Nor is Shavers known for making adjustments mid-fight switching to boxing. Verdict: Baer by KO in round 5 in what would probably win fight of the year.
Most boxers of that era rate Shavers the hardest puncher of all. Harder than Lyle or Foreman! I think he ices Baer who didn’t have a lot of heart when he fought Louis. By his own admission he was scared. Shavers big tough guy Baer may chicken out again. In the case he doesn’t and he could survive the on onslaught Shavers did have a history of punching himself out and Baer could come on and stop him. My pick though is most probably Shavers by KO. Will look similar to when he KO d Norton.
It is basically going to turn into a knife fight, but I woudl go with the man with the better chin, and the better record at the highest level. That is Max Baer.
