Earnie Shavers Documentary - Boxing's Legendary KO Artist

A look back at Earnie Shavers, one of the hardest hitters in the history of the heavyweight division. I had to shorten a lot of the clips because of copyright issues.
For a more extended look at the Ron Lyle fight, please check out the Lyle piece at :
• Ron Lyle Documentary -...
For a more extended look at the Bernardo Mercado fight :
• Bernardo Mercado - RIP...
For a more extended look at the Tex Cobb fight:
• Tex Cobb Documentary -...
A thank you to Tyrone1971 and his father for the training footage of Shavers.

[@OldSchoolStrength]

I met Earnie when he lived in the UK for a short while. Hes worked as a doorman on a Club Called Yates in Liverpool. I remember he had huge hands probably the biggest iv ever seen ! I asked him about punch power to which he replied " Get yourself a good ole Axe and just chop Wooood " One of the nicest people i have ever met 👊

[@spreadeagle2561]

Yep, anybody who has met Earnie always say what a gracious guy he was. Earnie Shavers- great puncher and a good man.

[@sabirabdul-lateef5352]

Sad he worked as a doorman

[@paulmcdonough1093]

@@sabirabdul-lateef5352 better than a hitman

[@japsley6172]

@@sabirabdul-lateef5352 nothing sad about earning an honest living.

[@mpforeverunlimited]

He moved all the way to England to be a bouncer?

[@animalstyle5242]

Boxers back in the old days were monsters.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

Yes, real fighters who generated excitement.

[@peterpipe9015]

@Scott Hilliard true , a lot of the athletes now are pumped up on hormones and other pharmaceuticals

[@mikewilkins2030]

Country boys!

[@Sherriffs82]

Just found out that Earnie passed away today so had to watch this again. RIP Earnie

[@georgebella3139]

😢

[@snoozy04]

RIP

[@mahmoudelfannan81]

Me too, RIP

[@braddarmphitt7067]

there was no fanfair ...i only found out in december

[@pvhep4036]

Me last month. RIP Earnie Shavers! @@braddarmphitt7067

[@WZ912]

Earnie Shavers = The Single Hardest Hitting Human Being of All Time.........with a heart to match. R.I.P Champ!

[@ronrobertson59]

I knew Earnie from around the gyms in the Akron Canton area back in the 70's. Earnie is the nicest guy you ever met I spared with him once. I was a super welterweight at the time and Earnie was just fooling around hitting with an open glove but when he hit you you got that sinking feeling and you could feel it in your toes. Earnie was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet.

[@mikimiyazaki]

What sinking feeling? I know that electricity striking the brain stem feeling but ive never got a "sinking feeling".

[@vincentortiz8799]

@M R Has anyone ever told You, that you look eerily familiar to that fella, Pat Robertson on the 700 Club...🤔

[@aireliousejones8322]

I'm related to him. My dad's his younger cousin and also boxed in the Navy. I was too young to remember him, but my dad said that Ernie didn't know his own strength and could easily hurt you without realizing it.

[@deanladue3151]

Still remember Ron Lyles quote about getting nailed by Shavers, "The ground came up and met me". Wow.

[@kainoapagay]

How long would he hit tires with a sledge hammer or chop wood for punching power.

[@Boy_Gentle]

We will keep watching your fights for ages. You will always be recognized as the hardest puncher ever…Rest in power legend

[@crazykocounters4741]

Eleven people said Earnie Shavers hit the hardest, that includes Ali, Holmes, Lyle, Cobb, Tilis, Norton, Young, Polite, Caldwell, Bugner and Stander. You know a man can bang when there is eleven quotes about him.

[@DennisTheMenace-1999]

Many more did actually.

[@cruelleader4782]

He hit like a horse kick he can turn a gassoline to milk

[@Deadsea_1993]

Yeah Foreman also said that Shavers hit harder than him too. Wonderful quote about him was the one with "If you get hit by him with a clean shot, you're off to lala land" lol. I'm glad that, like Fraizer and Foreman, he found happiness in the ministry with Christianity after boxing. When asked what his secret was when it came to the source of his power he said "Get a good Axe and start chopping wood".

[@TheDurag4Life]

He lost every major fight he ever had outside of a old Ken Norton. You can have all the power in the world if you don’t know how to use it it don’t matter!! Big George on the other hand actually knew how to use the power correctly!

[@TheDurag4Life]

@@Deadsea_1993 where did George say Shavers hit harder drop the link because I think ur a liar!!

[@CJCrump]

Earnie Shavers was a dangerous heavyweight.

[@michaelferreri1256]

My favorite heavyweight to have never won a championship. Saw him fight in person back when he had his hair (he won). Got his autograph after the Ali fight. A very gracious, modest and classy guy. 5 stars and two thumbs up on this Rich. Excellent episode!

[@BlueVein1933]

My favourite Heavyweight never to win a world title would be Jerry Quarry .. I really wanted him to beat Jimmy Ellis in 1968 for the vacant WBA title.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you Michael. Shavers always seemed gracious in interviews.

[@tonygaines15]

Good for you Mike👍🏾 Ernie was a real Liston.

[@giovannidavinci3175]

Did you forget to Add the part about witnessing his punching power .. ?

[@mongoslade277]

@@BlueVein1933 Quarry should have won that fight against Jimmy Ellis. He was to tentative. After that fight he never held back again. That was a good & bad thing

[@Dirt_Merchant]

I can’t believe anyone would talk about Earnie as a “less than elite” boxer. He was a dinosaur amongst young men who’d trained since they were children. Not to mention he threw his soul into any and every punch. He’s my favorite boxer, not because of his record, but because of how much heart existed within him.

[@stlrockn]

Well said....

[@markjohnson2080]

Agreed

[@DeeJay003]

Nicely put.

[@jerrywebb9614]

You can say Shavers was a very good fighter but not an elite fighter.He never won the title and loss to guys he had no business losing too.Yes he might have been the hardest hitting heavyweight of all time but never one the big one.He couldn't take an old Ali,he hurt Ali but couldn't win.He floored Larry Holmes but couldn't win.Jimmy Ellis was a small heavyweight.Yes he destroyed Ken Norton but so did George Foreman and Gerry Cooney..He waa an exciting fighter as one punch could ko you at anytime.Elite fighters win titles.

[@markjohnson2080]

@@jerrywebb9614 he fought against people that have been boxing since they were little kids he started late and was still an elite boxer in the Golden Age of boxing stop being a hater Jerry Webb

[@danacarney7017]

I was his Driver for the day. He was such an Amazing man. So kind and honest. God Bless ya Earnie.

[@heruammen8522]

Dude could hit harder than a pack of mules. He was a competently good fighter who had the misfortune of fighting in an era of Heavyweight Boxing GOATS. Rest in Peace Ernie and know that your name will never be forgotten by boxing afficionados worldwide.

[@jigglybandito9505]

Misfortune ? That’s what makes him one of the best.

[@robdangelo7327]

I watched Holmes vs. Shavers 2 I still to this day can’t believe Holmes got up in the 7th 🤔 UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Two Warriors

[@depaola63]

That was a BOMB👊 I remember as I’m now 58 ⭐️ Shavers was great! However not a good finisher Larry got tagged hard! Shavers should have got the job done! Larry was a tough champ with the best Crisp jab ever!

[@keeairhagans8810]

My gpop said the same thing when he seen it said Holmes was out of it but somehow got up

[@andersonarmstrong2650]

@@depaola63 It was unbelievable. I'm a year younger than you and they showed the fight on World of Sport. I don't know how Holmes got up. I think Shavers lost through disbelief.

[@aitutaki50]

It's very likely that most referees today would've stopped that fight when Holmes hit the canvas in the 7th (and, for very good reason). For Ernie Shavers to say that was the hardest punch he ever landed really makes it that much more incredible that Larry Holmes was able to continue on, & then win the fight! I was really happy to hear that Ernie finally got his personal life on track. Great video!

[@decristo1021]

I agree about the ref comment but then again, I’m still shocked the ref even gave Tyson Fury a count in the first fight with Wilder….

[@NewyorkRicanSoulPodcast]

Both Frazier and Foreman somehow never stepped in the ring against him. Great Doc Rich.

[@brucemedley635]

I wonder why

[@bunnyman6321]

@@brucemedley635 Me too?

[@mindofmonster]

George said thank goodness (that he never fought shavers) when asked if moore hit harder than shavers.

[@Kowajab]

RIP Earnie Shavers the greatest heavyweight puncher of the golden age

[@chrispeacock9057]

I used to see Earnie most weekends at Yates in Liverpool UK. Always shook (completely encased) my hand when I entered. Such a humble friendly man. Only later did i see footage of his ferocious power. It made me love him even more. I hope hes doing well.

[@OldSchoolStrength]

Same place i met him.. His hands were GIGANTIC!

[@kainoapagay]

Do you know how long he would use a sledge hammer on tires or chop wood for power?

[@cliff2187]

Saw him signing autographs in Vegas about 11/12 years ago, massive hands, polite man.

[@slidecounter5813]

Earnie Shavers record 74 wins 68 ko's George Foreman 76 wins 68 ko's but do the quality of opponents being Ko'd matter? If so I'd have to give a slight edge to Foreman .

[@jenniferparson951]

It's simple Foreman had a better chin than Shavers.

[@imtwin771]

I get what your saying, but only the fighters that fought them both truly know.

[@slidecounter5813]

@@imtwin771 yeah most said based off impact Shavers hit harder

[@jdvlanka265]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpnLYXWmj7WYe80 That should answer that

[@whatisahandle_69]

I think foreman was the more intelligent fighter (his comeback championship fight was very smart fighting) but shavers landed slightly harder more consistently

[@Swat-ed5bt]

Shavers was a beast in the ring and a gentleman outside. Legend ❤️

[@jaypaige7550]

I don't know how Larry Holmes got up from that power shot , absolutely insane !!

[@clevelandwilliams5922]

That’s why he is a great Champion

[@aarondigby9859]

@@clevelandwilliams5922 how Ernie was not able to finish Holmes off, I'll never know.

[@clevelandwilliams5922]

@@aarondigby9859 Ernie was not a polished, strategic or a fluid boxer. He relied on his power which was dangerous against fringe opponents. But someone like Holmes, who knew how to survive, defend & avoid punches. Ernie couldn’t just rely on one or two punches. If you look at Holmes v Tyson and how Tyson was able to put his combinations together. But we have to remind ourselves, that was a over the hill Holmes.

[@deanladue3151]

@@clevelandwilliams5922 Yep, Larry was a boxer that Tyson admired greatly. Mike would say later numerous times that he never fought the real Larry Holmes in 1988.

[@clevelandwilliams5922]

@@deanladue3151 Larry Holmes at the time of Tyson youth & early career was the benchmark of greatness. Even Lewis didn’t want to taste the Jab from Holmes. Again that was when he was in his 40’s.

[@carlmanvers5009]

Thanks for everything Earnie. You were a vital boxer in one of the golden eras.

[@alpha_trooper8187]

I think Shavers had a bit more skill than people give him credit for, as can be seen in the first round of his fight Quarry (although he got knocked out). If issues regarding his stamina, his ability to clinch rather than stay still during a beating, and to an extent his ability to box, I'm sure he could have been Heavyweight Champion. Another issue seemed the only thing he was told at times was to throw his right hoping it landed, and if he couldn't land it or the fighter took it well, he was usually out of luck. Great fighter though with electrifying knockouts in an amazing Era, great video as usual Rich.

[@stephendeluca4479]

I agree with you about how he handled himself when he was hurt. He had bad instincts that way. He always kept standing- never thought to let himself take a knee to give himself a moment to regroup. Never could clinch.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Alpha_trooper818. Shavers had underrated heart.

[@therealsyxx]

@@stephendeluca4479 some guys go balls to the wall. Win lose or draw.

[@stephendeluca4479]

@@therealsyxx That's what I loved best about him.

[@markjohnson2080]

He fought in the golden age of boxing. He was talented

[@oncall21]

Thanks for making a video of a more well known boxer and a force to be reckoned with from either fist. Glad he found peace from his troubles after retirement. Thanks for sharing!

[@uncjim]

Great in depth documentary of one of the great punchers. The poignance of seeing Jerry Quarry as a fine commentator has to be acknowledged. Thanks for another gem.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, uncjim. What an easy going guy Quarry was.

[@waynej2608]

Yes, Jerry was a class act. He was a tough fighter, awesome counterpuncher with good boxing skills. He was quite good as a boxing commentator, too.

[@wajabi]

To have Ali say that his punch shook his ancestors in Africa says enough of his incredible punching power. His flaw? he ran out of gas often in the deep rounds which led to losses.

[@pausedtvmoment5917]

He also had a pretty weak left handed punch compared to his right

[@markjohnson2080]

His left jab right uppercut was lethal

[@beatlejim64]

Nice man. His rep comes from a lucky "one punch" KO of former WBA champ Jimmy Ellis. He had major stamina issues...didn't carry his power into the later rounds...never had a KO after the 7th round...and was a lousy finisher. Had Ali & Holmes hurt...couldn't put them away! Shavers didn't have the ability to come up with the big punch when he needed it most! Once he started fighting a better class of opponents...his KO % went way down!

[@aireliousejones8322]

It was a pleasure to have you here with us for as long as you were and to see you shine. It was an even greater honor to be related to you. You were my dad's favorite big cousin and he still talks about how happy it made him when people announced that he was your little cousin while he boxed in the Navy. Grandma Bessie talked about her nephew who fought Muhammed Ali with a smile, and the picture that you autographed for Aunt Harriet still hangs on her wall in Old Town, Florida. I'm hoping that they still have the family reunion in Alabama next year. I was too young to remember them, but Auntie Joyce Ann, Aunt Ethel Mae, and my daddy (Carl) talk about them all the time. You gave your life and time to God and now heaven is your home. Tell Grandma Bessie, Granddaddy Ralph, Uncle Earl (my daddy's twin), Aunt Harriet, and all of the family that have transitioned that I said hello and that I love and miss you all. Even the ones like Great grandma and great Granddaddy ( you and my dad's grandparents. Grandma Bessie and your mom 's parents), It is an extreme honor and a privilege to descend from the same lineage as you and call you my big cousin. Our whole family from Garland, Alabama where it all started; to Ohio where you all were taken after my uncle (your father) was threatened with being lynched; to Florida where Grandma Bessie moved and started a family after meeting and marrying Granddaddy Ralph both mourn and celebrate you. I can't make the celebration of your life because I'm away trying to make a way for my wife and two daughters. The youngest one is definitely your little cousin. She's always trying to fight her sister and she might hit as hard as you one day. Lol. I love you cuz. Rest in Peace. You deserve heaven as much as anyone possibly could.

[@slybear525]

This is another excellent video! Nobody hit like him. He didn't have great stamina partly because he put every thing he had into all his punches. So if he didn't knock you out,you stood a chance in the late rounds. I loved watching him because I knew he could finish any with that kind of power. I believe that he is one of the reasons for Ali's post career illness. Those punches he landed on Ali were some of the most explosive I have ever seen. Thanks again Rich!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, Sly.

[@slybear525]

@Vegan Higler love him or hate him, few could beat Ali , especially in his prime. Shavers came very close to beating Ali and Holmes and he knocked out a former and a future world heavyweight weight champions Jimmy Ellis and Ken Norton while the were in there relative primes. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t think it too generous to rate shavers as one of the hardest punchers in heavyweight history ,Based on testimonials of those who fought him and compared him to other known hard punchers whom they also fought. Sure, Shavers had flaws such as stamina that appears obvious in his loses. I rate him as a major contender in one of the best eras in heavyweight boxing.

[@slybear525]

@Vegan Higler I don't believe that he is overrated at all. he is rated fairly. He hit hard but had flaws in his game that kept him from greatness - stamina being amongst them.

[@clevelandwilliams5922]

This is why Cleveland Williams in my view was greatest boxer puncher in history, he could knock you out as well as use ring strategy if his power couldn’t do the job. In addition this why he was lethal & dangerous he had to encounter a slug from .357 magnum, then to finally earn a title shot, to have his winnings garnished to cover his hospital expenses.

[@slybear525]

@@clevelandwilliams5922 I love watching clips of Cleveland Williams. He had an awesome left hook. I can not say that he was the all time greatest boxer- puncher. There are a lot of very notable ones, Joe Louis to begin with. But I do agree that Williams being shot certainly had a telling effect on his career. He certainly is one of my favorite heavyweights from that Era.

[@6038ty]

Leroy Caldwell fought Foreman, Shavers and Lyle. Claimed Shavers was the hardest puncher out of all three. He said getting hit by Earnie was like getting hit on every toe with a sledgehammer. Hardest puncher ever IMO. Great video Rich!!!

[@bobbyb900]

I agree. Nobody hit harder than Earnie !!

[@oggirf]

shavers had power, precision, and technique. in my opinion foreman was probably stronger but didnt have the same finesse as shavers

[@geegee8625]

@@oggirf I could beat shavers I've got speed

[@joshuatree5620]

@@geegee8625 accuracy beats Speed,you could throw 10 punches and still get knocked out with 1 accurate punch.

[@an8dr2a]

@@oggirf Anyway Foreman had a largely strongest chin that' s why he lost by knockout only once in his whole life

[@phild3537]

Working as a doorman in Liverpool, very humble respectful man. Dangerous as they come but such a warm nice person. Don't make them like Ernie anymore.

[@SuperCrazyEstonian]

A lot of folk say that he only KO´d small guys and barely ever KO´d anyone good. So his power is overrated. I love Shavers, but the only reason he even competed with Ali or Holmes was because of his power. But if Ali and others give him such high praise, I disagree with those fans who say otherwise. He truly was one of THE hardest punchers to ever step in the ring.

[@edalhouse645]

I graduated with Earnie from Newton Falls High School in 1963. Earnie was an easy going guy. He had a good sense of humor. Just a real nice guy. But the bad boys in the school never messed with him. Hi Earnie. I hope all is OK with you. God Speed! Cheers! Ed Althouse!

[@kainoapagay]

Do you know how long he would hit tires with a sledgehammer for punching power?

[@AwestruckOffRoadingHertz]

What a punch!!! 16:23 My God. I bet Larry Holmes saw the shadow realm in a way he never imagined. What a clean shot. Everything was perfect. The timing, the footing, opponents position, throwing of the hips to get maximum torque. What a thing of beauty!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

The 'shadow realm' indeed. Amazing he got up from that.

[@MrCrystalcranium]

Holmes cemented his greatness when he got up from that punch. The most devastating puncher in the history of boxing couldn't have hit him any cleaner. Larry went down on his face...and unbelievably got up! After the fight, Shavers said he couldn't have hit Holmes any harder and that he felt the perfection of the punch "right down to his toes". But Larry got up and went on to the TKO win. Great punch that couldn't take out a great Champion.

[@6038ty]

Have to agree. That Holmes got up after that punch is amazing. I heard Holmes once say that if Earnie wouldn't have hit me that hard, he would've knocked me out. I hit the canvas and bounced back up....lol. Incredible!!!

[@jonathanrubino2577]

He saw his grandma

[@XX-eh2ke]

@@jonathanrubino2577 his grandma told him to get his ass up and fight. The rest is history.

[@trelard]

3:04 That cocking of the arm before the punch was like aiming a loaded weapon. Then POW, Jimmy Ellis doesn't know where he is. Earnie Shavers was a sight to behold.

[@nightrider5109]

I forgot what brutal power Earnie had I bet his opponents never did R.I.P. Earnie

[@tomquinn607]

Ernie Shavers Tiger Williams fight and the Howard Smith footage is incredible. Great video. Real special. Thanks man.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@JackAcid]

A gentle giant. I'm glad he's found his way in life. X

[@daveherbst5080]

I had the pleasure of meeting Earnie when he was in Rochester being Honored in the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame...a true Champion and a real gentleman!

[@roscoaber]

Me lived in moreton on the Wirral for a time and always took time to talk to people , what a guy 🙌🏻🥊

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

That's interesting, thanks. I did a Google search and came across a website that said that anyone interested in a copy of Shavers' autobiography should write to him c/o an address on Doreen Avenue. I looked up the address on Google Maps and found a tiny and I mean *TINY* house. I did a bit more digging and found that this was home for a few years. He lived there with a lady called Sue Clegg, I don't think they're together anymore.

[@roscoaber]

@@ppuh6tfrz646 he moved back to the states a while back, but he was a great guy, always gave the time off day to talk to anyone 👍🏻

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

@@roscoaber He always seemed like a genuine and gentle person (at least, outside the ring!). Have you ever seen the property I was referring to?

[@roscoaber]

@@ppuh6tfrz646 sure have mate, you would often see him gardening on the front, he worked as a doorman for a time in Liverpool but don’t think he had to do much bouncing tbh was more to greet people.

[@sagathedamsel2950]

A video of legendary journeyman Marion Wilson would be awesome. A man never flored despite fighting so many of the heavy hitters of the 90s

[@prairiehawker]

Thanks! I've been waiting for this one!

[@seniordavidmanderson9232]

Randall (Tex) Cobb: "Nobody hits like Shavers. If anybody hit harder than Shavers, I'd shoot him. ... Earnie could punch you in the neck with his right hand and break your ankle." After retiring from boxing, Shavers became an ordained Christian minister and moved to England to pastor his own church.

[@brucemedley635]

It makes me wonder how randall tex cobb is nowadays especially after all those hits from shavers and Holmes he was one tough guy

[@TheGeneralpanzer]

Its incredible how Rich can put out so many videos so quickly

[@stephendeluca4479]

I remember watching that Roy "Tiger" Williams fight live. I'd never heard of Shavers until that fight, but became a huge fan as the result of his comeback win in the 10th round. I think CBS thought the fight would not go the distance, because they didn't leave any time in the broadcast to interview the winner afterward. The first 8 rounds were pretty dull, but the last two were very exciting. Shavers couldn't get past Williams defense, though Williams didn't do much himself that whole stretch. I think his strategy was to wait until Shavers got arm weary, then knock him out. Didn't quite work out. That was the first time I had ever seen someone walk away from a standing 8 count, THEN fall over. Shavers always gave people their money's worth.

[@richardweiler3966]

It was kind of rare for Shavers to score a late KO. He usually gassed if he didn't get an opponent out within 5.

[@legend1435]

Coincidence is last fight was with Brian Yates. Then eventually went to UK as a doormen in a nightclub called Yates.

[@mikimiyazaki]

That is the worst strategy ever. Rope a dope was actually ali being unable to do anything other than cover up and take a beating. Foreman fought a dumb fight and got tired. Its about using your energy wisely, never conserving it.

[@rfjohns4452]

Prior to the fight with Larry Holmes network showed Ernie's family life and his kids. My wife at the time was so hyped up hoping Ernie would win she jumped up out of chair when he knocked down Larry.

[@depaola63]

Foreman vs Shavers would have been a classic 🤔

[@joshuarichards9365]

Yeah that would be awesome, although I do think Foreman would win, Earnie liked to block and cover up low and that's where foreman punches the hardest

[@christophercerrato1871]

An absolute LEGEND

[@Aristotelezz]

Just learned Earnie Shavers has died. May he rest in peace!

[@DirectDemocrat]

Earni Shavers was a boxing legend - I loved him as a kid watching his fights on TV. I wish I had met him and will always regret that I never did.

[@pauliedibbs9028]

I swear, I love this channel just as much as I love any classic and iconic film...

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, Paulie.

[@mattyf8604]

It's funny how strong and powerful Shaver's punches were and yet he is one of the nicest dudes ever.

[@WarioSaysSo]

Earnie Shavers PRO record: 74-14-1, KO's 68. / 7 of the losses ended by a KO. # 2-time World Heavyweight Title Challanger; 1977 UD loss to Ali & 1979 TKO 11 loss to Holmes. # Nevada State Heavyweight Champion: 1971. # Fought against 5 world champions: Mohammad Ali, Larry Holmes x2, Ken Norton, Jimmy Ellis & Vicente Rondon. + numerous top contenders; Jimmy Young x2, Jerry Quarry, Randall Cobb, Joe Bugner, James Tillis, Bernardo Mercado, Roy "Tiger" Williams etc.

[@2383Scorpio]

Actually, Shavers fought 5 world champions if you include former WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Vicente Rondon.

[@WarioSaysSo]

@@2383Scorpio Oh, I mussed have missed the guy. To be honest, never had heard about him before untill now. But yeah, checking him and it is indeed 5 champions.

[@2383Scorpio]

@@WarioSaysSo No problem Wario and now you know it.

[@WarioSaysSo]

@@2383Scorpio Thanks for the update my friend!

[@2383Scorpio]

@@WarioSaysSo You're welcome Wario.

[@CoachDarren]

Rest in peace to one of the best of the 70's Earnie Shavers!

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

Thanks for posting this.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure.

[@seetheanimal5867]

I’d love to travel thru time dropping these greats 😌

[@DWeb0414]

Earnie Shavers Deemed The One Of The Hardest If Not The Hardest Hitting Puncher Of All Time🥊👊🏾

[@nycinstyle]

4:27 It looks like the left hook Quarry threw seen here caught Shavers on the side of his head and shook him up. That was it. Earnie did that to other boxers so many times, all throughout his career as a boxer. Very exciting fighter, Earnie Shavers. He beat the hell out of many, many heavyweights.

[@marcyfan]

i grew up believing quarry was a slouch but this of course was a myth.

[@nycinstyle]

@@marcyfan Jerry Quarry beat Earnie Shavers, Mac Foster, Ron Lyle, Brian London, Buster Mathis, Thad Spencer and Floyd Patterson. George Foreman said that back in that time, that terrific era in the heavyweight division in the late 1960s, early 1970s that Jerry Quarry is the best heavyweight who never became a world champion. Don King was hyping up Shavers saying that he will killl Quarry. King and Jerry's trainer, Gil Clancy, got into arguments about this before the bout. Clancy was elated after his boxer, Jerry Quarry, did this and shut Don King the f up. lol And I like Earnie Shavers. Nothing against him ,just laughing at Don. lol

[@knowledgeberakah1728]

I met dude n he was so humbled

[@khalilayales6066]

R.I.P Earnie Shavers 🕊🌹

[@pauleveritt8955]

As a boxing fan I'm afraid to say that I've never heard of him. But I have now 🇬🇧🇯🇲👍

[@jjsheets330]

The acorn was a bad man. Would’ve loved to see him vs Foreman back in the day

[@eddiesoul4890]

It was rumored that Forman was at that Ali vs. Shavers fight and that's the real reason why Forman retired and not the Jimmy Young fight..He didn't want no part of Shavers..

[@active.7universal]

@@eddiesoul4890 bazooka joe frazier said (earnie I don't want to box you man you hit to damn hard )..

[@brucemedley635]

Foreman is a smart man in the ring and our of it you got to choose your battles quarry fought all the big punchers of the era like Foster, lyle,shavers, frazier and others he died at the age of 53 while big George is still with us

[@MotorcityBart]

I just wanted to stop by and say much Thanks & Respect for whomever is part of the production team behind this Channels Content. I want too wish you all Happy Holidays and once again thanks for sharing these gems with us, I'm hoping for much success for all of your endeavors, your providing just a few minutes of joy with these videos during a Holiday Season that doesn't quite seem to joyful to most I know, just the past few years have been a hard adjustment on the majority of the people I know. I'm sure it's like that all Over, but Thank You

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Christian. I appreciate it.

[@dilligafTV1]

I love these. Thanks so much for your work.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, Kenneth.

[@diomano.3341]

These are really great documentaries. Terrific work!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Glad you like them!

[@jonathandewberry289]

I don't know where the hell you're getting so many great old clips but these are fantastic. Yes, it seems like a grand consensus among the HWs who knew - Shavers is the hardest punching HW ever. I still cannot believe Larry Holmes got up from that shot yikes!!

[@Deadsea_1993]

His personal collection. He is a boxing enthusiast.

[@jonathandewberry289]

@@Deadsea_1993 So, the question remains, where did he get those from and really, please don't read this, try and think of an answer to reply with, please don't, thanks.

[@mongoslade277]

@Vegan Higler Ali had 5 losses. Joe Frazier had 4. Who is the better fighter??

[@mongoslade277]

@Vegan Higler Man be real!! All 3 fights were close but Joe Frazier corner stopped the 3rd fight with Ali bc he was legally blind in 1 eye & his good eye was closed. The man couldn't see

[@mongoslade277]

@Vegan Higler Evander Holyfield has about 10 losses. So does Roy Jones. They are both considered all time greats. What matters is what you did in your prime. John Tate only had 3 losses. By your logic he'd be better than Ali, Holyfield and Frazier. Makes no sense

[@catyear75]

Absolutely wonderful Documentary! Exemplary work ! Merry Christmas!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you! Merry Christmas

[@brettpaterson8042]

Another gem Rich..As much as I love great technique in boxing you just have to have big punches in the sport to make it exciting. That’s why you need these type of boxers like shavers (And natural punches are rare) so the casual fans get interested because it’s them that really bring the Money in. Shavers and Julian Jackson are blessed with all out natural punching power, and that’s why for all his faults I like Wilder. It wouldn’t surprise me if Wilder was to ever fight Usyk Wilder would knock him out. He wouldn’t out box Usyk of coarse but a puncher would always have that chance. Ernie Shavers and Julian Jackson are the prime example of this.

[@matayorwakasenyi674]

natural punch depends on big hands. and big hands with fists with 13-16 inch girth are very rare.

[@elguapo9702]

R.I.P. Earnie Shavers. 🌹 🙏

[@OldSchoolStrength]

Earnie told me he often used a 12lb Axe to chop wood.. day in day out then Row boats out on the lake to develop his power.

[@billybob5171]

Excellent documentation keep it up

[@brianpress1392]

Ernie Shavers God Bless/Rest Your Soul R. I. P. 🙏🌹

[@nickharmer3049]

That was fantastic buddy. He fought them all & one of the few to fight & go the distance with Ali & Holmes. He will always be remembered as one of the biggest punchers in history. Really enjoyable content. Props to you for the great editing & narration. Bless up bro 👊

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Nick.

[@hashimkhan4523]

Excellent videos as always!!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@yorkshirescribbler4881]

Look so forward to your videos,keep up the fantastic work

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you! Will do!

[@nicholasbardoni395]

I had a chance to meet Shavers in las vegas. Very nice guy.

[@jaycompany4886]

This was the glory days of boxing, shavers would try to go through you when he hit u....powerful puncher.

[@robroy488]

3:15 ...I didn't know of this man but seeing him lift Jimmy Ellis off of his feet in a post win hug was pretty awesome!

[@craftyha]

Great video. Looked yo watch Shavers fight. Rest in peace CHAMP

[@MjahedTV]

Love and respect to you for creating this Channel

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Much appreciated, thank you.

[@tsb7911]

Excellent documentary. Thanks again for the great work.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, TSB.

[@craig3642]

One of the best channels on youtube. Always presenting awesome stuff. Have you thought about doing a series on the Murderer's Row? It remains one of the most fascinating boxing stories of all time. Numerous black middleweights, all ducked for major titles. All timers, all fighting eachother, 62 times in total.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

That is a great idea for a vid. Will put it on the list but it will take awhile to piece it together.

[@bobbyd1478]

Eig's study, conducted by Arizona State speech scientists Visar Berisha and Julie Liss found that Ali's speech slowed by 16 percent after a 15-round bout with Ernie Shavers in 1977. Shavers, a brawler, landed 266 punches throughout the fight. If one fight had to be picked, Ernie Shavers inflicted the most damage.

[@lesran]

I would agree with that. He hit Ali much cleaner than most opponents did and that combined with the ridiculous power in those clean punches was a recipe for permanent damage.

[@lesran]

I think it's similar to what happened with Gerald McClellan. They both had fights after they faced the biggest punchers of their careers but the damage was already done.

[@elwin38]

I saw that fight live(was 9yrs old). Muhammad Ali was out on his feet for several rounds. I dont know how Ali was able to dig so deep and win that fight.

[@deanladue3151]

And many of those punches were head shots that connected. Alis reflexes had slipped noticeably after the final match with Joe Frazier in '75.

[@donnellvickers6314]

16:25 I don't know how on EARTH Holmes got up from THAT SHOT. DEVISTATING RIGHT 👍.

[@alrivers2297]

Heart of a champion!

[@sunfishassassin5963]

I love all your videos..you are as good at posting as the fighters themselves..keep it up my friend

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Sunfish Assassin. Enjoy the holidays.

[@vincentfisher1603]

I would love to see his bout against Ron Stander. Earnie did provide, win or lose, thrills.

[@reginald8405]

Thanks Richard, great content

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks for watching, Reginald.

[@skinrule1]

Great work!!!! You just keep out-doing yourself. Awesome. Thanks

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

I appreciate that, Michael. Thank you.

[@MrCrystalcranium]

I loved Earnie and what a nice and wonderful, gentle man...so much the opposite of his persona in the ring. It's too bad his stamina always betrayed him. I've never seen a fighter like Shavers get so exhausted so suddenly. He'd throw a flurry of hard punches and then back off to the ropes so he could stand up! Always gave everything he had and was always dangerous.

[@lanatana3867]

He run out of gas because of simple physics. When he threw them punches with so much power and momentum that if they landed or missed it took energy out of him. Its like when you punch a bag if you do 20 jabs then throw 20 power punches the power punches would take so much out of you because of the energy needed. His biggest problem was he didn’t have a balance between stinging punches to power punches. It was just haymaker after haymakers

[@c.glivingstone9832]

A great compilation of a great fighter.

[@BlueVein1933]

Shavers hit Bernardo Mercado so hard that his Glove imploded in the 3rd round .. I think shavers best win was against Ken Norton & I agree with shavers when he said that Norton feared Big punchers look what Foreman and Cooney did to Norton.. Don’t get me wrong Kenny Norton was a hell of a fighter.

[@jackprecip5389]

Norton didn't fear big punchers, he was just tailor made for them because he would stand in front of them with that cross armed defense that worked much better against boxers from the outside, instead of punchers from the inside. Norton went after Foreman in their fight, so he wasn't "afraid" of him (he was a former Marine for heaven's sake), but taking big punches from the likes of Foreman, Shavers, and Cooney is usually not going to end well. Fighters with defensive skills (like Jimmy Young for example) would stay away from guys like that and let them get tired and lose their power, but Norton couldn't fight that way, it wasn't in his nature. Nobody accuses Joe Frazier of fearing big punchers, even though Foreman knocked him down a hundred times and stopped him in the early rounds two separate times. Besides, Norton was almost 36 years old when he fought Shavers, and was almost a shot fighter, and when he faced Cooney at almost 38 years old, he was a completely shot fighter. Of course Shavers would say stuff like that, he said that about everybody in the media before a fight. He even said stuff like that about Larry Holmes. It's just selling the fight.

[@BlueVein1933]

@@jackprecip5389 When Norton fought Foreman The Game plan was to act like he was going to load up, back off, counter and use his Hook .. Foreman had to end it early just like Cooney and Shavers did, because they knew once Norton got warmed up he would Go all night .. Although against Quarry I felt Norton almost punched himself out. & that had it gone a few more round Quarry may have got the better off him. Like I said in my Original post, I rate Ken Norton highly.. He gave two of my favourite heavyweights hell when he faced Ali & Holmes.

[@raysierra4194]

Yeah plus norton avenged his first knockout loss to Jose Luis Garcia....knocked him down there times to finish him.... Angelo Dundee said on that broadcast that Garcia was a bigger puncher than norton,cuz norton had power.to break Ali's jaw,nobody else ever did that

[@sleazyfellow]

Norton just froze in front of big punchers, not a good idea against the names listed.

[@blackwidowsm]

I think Foreman ruined Norton , regarding giving him hear of big punchers. Prior to foreman, they didn’t bother him so much.

[@TheSkete]

RIP Earnie Shavers (1944-2022)

[@joachimfranzen5004]

One of my favourites all time.

[@andersonarmstrong2650]

I love Earnie Shavers! One of my all time favourite boxers!

[@cycletouringoz5760]

Anothe brilliant doco by RTFH Merry Christmas bud 🥊🥊💥💥🥊🥊

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Cycle Touring Oz. Merry Christmas to you as well.

[@johnnyreed8537]

Shavers was such a savage puncher it's amazing that he never captured the heavyweight title...

[@kevinbell3700]

Excellent page.

[@RELopez-mk4ic]

Holmes showed how great he was after getting up from that right hand!

[@johnjamele]

hoping for this one. Thank you!!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, John.

[@christopherbellore3511]

Praise God! For Earnie's come back... As a man of God.

[@ashishnalavade9244]

It’s sad that he isn’t talked about more today …boxing fans should keep shaver’s legacy alive …the man who didn’t take up boxing till the age of 22 and went on to become world title challenger twice ❤

[@serenityinside1]

RIP September 2022. A legend in the ring , a much respected gentleman and person out of it . A class act who gave it all win or lose . Thank you mr shavers 😔.