Why Shavers had stamina problems in his earlier career

"Early in my career, I was determined to knock out everybody in the first or second round. When you're going out to kiII guys, you're all tensed up. Your muscles are taut. If you're like that and you get hit, you get hurt. That's what happened in the fights I lost by knockout. I've learned this about myself"

- Earnie Shavers


Learning to pace yourself and relax goes a long way for better endurance. Shavers showed a remarkable improvement in his fights with Williams, Ali, and Holmes with lots of roadwork and sparring.