The ledger to the right lists high quality fighters in orangeand fights with the heavyweights of the 70's in yellow. The links in yellow on the fighters names are links to information from the fight itself, the feeling before the fight and the fight as I saw it. If the fighter lost a certain fight four asterisks will be in the last column(****). If a result of a fight is linked in yellow then that fighters record is available in the records database.

Earnie Shavers was a devastating one punch knockout artist. He wasn't overly quick or agile and didn't take a great punch, but he had the best one punch power in the history of boxing. It was just a matter of if he could get the punch home, which he usually did. He was an all out aggressor which helped him most of the time, but also tired him out. His overhand was right was an absolute thing of beauty and most heavyweights he hit never got up. His career started in 1969 when Earnie was already 24 years old and Earnie worked quick. His first fight in '69 was on Nov 6th and by the end of the year he was already 6-1, with his lone loss coming in a decision to Stanley Johnson. Shavers didn't slow down much in 1970 compiling a (11-1) record with his loss coming against Ron Stander. Stander avoided the big punch and turned the tide and knocked out Shavers himself. This left Earnie's record at  (17-2) entering '71. Shavers 1971 campaign was one of the most prolific years for any heavyweight in history. In this year Shavers was (17-0) with 17 knockouts! Shavers was becoming a major figure on the  heavyweight scene. His most impressive win in '71 was a 10 round knockout over Chuck Leslie. In 1972 Shavers continued to mow down the opposition and ended the year with an overall record of (43-2) 42 ko's. Ted Gullick was the most impressive name on the '72 ledger. In 1973 Shavers made his move up to the big time, still raw and unrefined he tore through the opposition faster then even George Foreman himself. On Feb 13th, 1973 Shavers faced his toughest test to date, the expert boxer Jimmy Young. Shavers knocked out Young in one round and followed that with another one round knockout over Harold Carter. Ex-Champion Jimmy Ellis was next, for more on this fight click the link that says Jimmy Ellis to the right. After another dismantling, Shavers met with tough, durable Jerry Quarry. Shavers all-out style was his nemesis this day, for more on this fight click the Jerry Quarry link. Shavers rebounded badly following the Quarry fight. He lost to unheralded Bob Stallings and had a draw in a rematch with Jimmy Young, who destroyed earlier in the previous year. Shavers 1975 competition was highlighted with a slugfest against the tough Ron Lyle, Lyle landed too many punches in stopping Earnie in the 7th round. Shavers was still near the top of the heap and didn't disappoint. He beat Henry Clark twice consecutively and then took on Muhammad Ali for the title. Ali was never hit so hard he stated, but he managed a decision win against Shavers. Earnie followed this up with a one-sided loss to Larry Holmes in a championship elimination bout. Shavers wasn't done yet however, he saved his most impressive win for Ken Norton. Norton was knocked out by Shavers in one round which set Earnie up for another shot at the title, and another shot at Larry Holmes. To read more about this great fight and an incredible 7th round, click on the Larry Holmes link at Sept 28th, 1979. Earnie was not done fighting, but he was clearly spent after the Holmes fight, and was never a serious challenger again. The rest of his career he fought as a trial horse and that's not the Earnie Shavers that will be remembered. The one that will be remembered is the one with the big punch and the big smile. 

Vs 1991 Evander Holyfield-No one can say Evander didn't get hit. The problem for him in this fight is that if he did get hit, like he did even in the prime of his career, he would not be getting up. I just think Evander would hit Earnie enough early to slow him down and take away some of his punch. Evander would wear Earnie down and take him out. Prediction-Holyfield KO in 8

Vs 1988 Mike Tyson- Who would land first? This is the type of fight which is impossible to predict, but I'll try anyway. Tyson was a little more compact then Shavers and would use this to get his punches in faster. Shavers would still hurt Tyson and a war would ensue. The winner? Prediction-Tyson KO in 6

Vs 1999 Lennox Lewis-Shavers would rush Lewis and deliever early, Lewis would have to be a lot busier and smarter then he has shown. I don't think Lewis would have time to even get started and Shavers would land and that would be it. Prediction-Shavers KO in 2
 
 

Shavers(1-10 skill rating, ten being the best) 
Power-10 
Hand Speed-6 
Chin-6 
Footwork-5 
Heart-8 
Endurance-4 
Defense-6 
Intangibles(smarts,finishing,getting out of trouble,Cuts)-8 

TOTAL-53 rated a B fighter.