Oscar Bonavena vs. Earnie Shavers

Bonavena by a knockout in the 5th. A clean knockout resulting from a left to the temple. Unitil then, Oscar is awkward and believe it, savvy enough to avoid being knocked out, and when that ever happens, you've defanged Earnie. Bonavana was a rough, strong, dangerous customer and would have taken Shavers.

 

I would be inclined to think that Bonavena would survive long enough to land one of his bombs and close the deal.

People who think that Joe Frazier never beat a top end puncher are wrong.

 

somewhat like this will probably be the outcome. bonavena was the better overall fighter then shavers. and could take a punch as well

 

Bombs away is right! My money would be on Bonavena in this one. This would probably be a fun fight to watch. :bbb

 

I always said that Bonavena was a tuff cookie who came to fight...... Crude? YES!! But he was a fighter.......... Against Shavers, I say its 50/50........ Bombs away.......

MR.BILL

 

Bonavena. Some of the bombs he ate from Frazier without even slowing down were unbelievable. People forget just how good a chin that dumb **** had.

 

Bonavena largely due to durability.

 

Bonavena, Shavers had trouble with Short guys 5"10 Bob Stallings and Ron Stander owned him and Bonevena was a better 5"10 version...also Oscar took a good shot, he got got dropped by pinpont punchers like Ellis and Ali but overall he was solid and strong...but Earnie could always pull one out of the hat but lost to most of the better guys he fought

 

Earnie would be in big trouble here. Check out Bonavena/Chuvalo. Ringo displays some good footspeed and lateral movement in outmaneuvering George, not something he's widely noted for. The right hand he dropped Frazier on his face with in their first match might flatten Shavers for the count.

At the end of the Frazier rematch, Oscar actually was coming on a bit against a tiring champion. He'd have Earnie running on fumes if this one somehow got into the middle rounds.

 

Oscar used an awkwardly effective "boxing" style against Chuvalo similar to the one Gene Fullmer used twice against Carmen Basilio. Oscar I think was aiming for a points win over Chuvalo and was at least a bit more clever against Chuvalo than was Jerry Quarry, who I think was gunning for a stoppage of some sort over George before he got careless and got hit.

 

I always thought Oscar was a 6' guy, anyway Shavers would have to fight a smart, controlled fight. If he did I can see him winning as I always viewed Oscar as a bit of a front runner. However, it is a terrific match up.

 

I have little doubt Bonavena would win this one.

Oscar seemed to go into another mode when he fought hard hitters as opposed to slick boxers. I mean he was durable as hell against hard hitters while he looked fallible against boxers like Ali and Ellis. When he set himself, as he did against the punchers, he could not be hurt. He had way more skills and boxing savvy than he has ever been credit for. Note how he moves around Joe Frazier and defend himself behind his crab defense in their first fight. He was physically very strong and had sufficient stamina for a long fight. And he could hit hard in his own right. All these are bad news for Shavers.

Bonavena by tko in the middle rounds.

 

Bonavena should be credited as the only man who knocked Chuvalo down.

 

Uh Oh.