Earnie Shavers

Earnie Shavers
Shavers in 2005
Statistics
Real name	Earnie Dee Shaver
Nickname(s)	The Black Destroyer The Acorn Puncher of the Century
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Reach	79 in (201 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1944-08-31) August 31, 1944 Garland, Alabama, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	89
Wins	74
Wins by KO	68
Losses	14
Draws	1

Earnie Dee Shaver (born August 31, 1944), best known as Earnie Shavers, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1969 to 1995, and challenged twice for the world heavyweight title in 1977 and 1979. He is considered by many boxing experts to be the hardest puncher of all time, holding a 91.8% knockout-to-win ratio, and having knocked out 50 opponents in three rounds or less; 24 in the first round.

Shavers is best known for his fights with Larry Holmes and Muhammad Ali: despite losing these contests, he scored a heavy knockdown against Holmes, and had Ali badly hurt in the second round as well as during the final rounds of their fight. Shavers holds notable wins over heavyweight champions Jimmy Ellis and Ken Norton, as well as heavyweight contenders Jimmy Young and Joe Bugner.

Shavers officially retired from boxing in 1995. He released an autobiography about his life and boxing career, titled Welcome to the Big Time in 2001. Today, he attends boxing events as a special guest or autograph signer, and also works as a motivational speaker.

Amateur career

Prior to turning professional, Shavers had a short but notable amateur career. He was the 1969 National AAU Heavyweight champion.

Early professional career

Known as the "Black Destroyer", Shavers compiled an impressive record, winning 44 of his first 47 fights by knockout; mostly against unremarkable opposition. His KO streak included 27 consecutive knockouts, of which 20 victories were in the first round. He suffered setbacks with losses to Ron Stander and Stan Johnson.

He began to rise through the ranks of the heavyweight division after he hired a Cleveland-based promoter and ex-con named Don King to be his manager. His wins included a novice Jimmy Young who would later become a top contender. Stepping up the class of opposition, he came to public prominence with a first-round KO of one time WBA heavyweight champion Jimmy Ellis. His progress was halted when he was KO'd in the first round by Jerry Quarry which was followed by another loss to a journeyman Bob Stallings. Shavers then had a thunderous match with hard hitting Ron Lyle but was stopped after 6 brutal rounds. He then knocked out hard hitter Howard King and beat powerful prospect Roy Williams in a brutal back and forward battle in which Shavers was nearly knocked out. The match Shavers always said was one of the toughest of his whole career.

Shavers vs Ali

Shavers fought Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden on September 29, 1977.^[1] Coming into the bout, Shavers had a record of 54-5-1, with 52 knockouts. Ali nicknamed Shavers "The Acorn" because of his shaved bald head, unlike early appearances. The fight was shown in prime time broadcast television by NBC, which rarely did prime time fights (ABC tended to get the Ali fights) and had the judges' scoring announced after each round to help avoid any controversial decision. Ali's cornerman Angelo Dundee had a crony (Baltimore matchmaker Eddie Hrica) in the dressing room watching the broadcast, and would get signals from his friend on the scoring. In the second round, Shavers hurt Ali badly with an overhand right. Ali exaggerated his motions enough that it seemed he might be play acting and Shavers hesitated. On the scorecard they exchanged rounds. Ali won the fifth decisively. To win the fight Ali had to survive the last three rounds. Shavers, whose stamina was suspect before the fight, came alive in the 13th round. In the 14th, he battered Ali about the ring. Before the 15th, (according to the story by Sports Illustrated's great boxing writer Pat Putnam) "Ali was on very wobbly legs."

Realizing Ali needed to last three more minutes, Dundee told him, "You don't look so good. You better go out and take this round." In a furious final round, the two men tagged each other, but Ali closed strongly, nearly dropping Shavers in the last 20 seconds. He won a unanimous decision. The next day, Garden Match Maker Teddy Brenner encouraged Ali to retire by stating the Garden would never make another offer to host an Ali fight. Brenner also thought that Shavers deserved the nod against Ali. The fight made the cover of Sports Illustrated, with "ALI'S DESPERATE HOUR" featuring a photograph of Shavers scoring with an overhand right.^[2] Fight doctor Ferdie Pacheco also urged Ali to retire after noting the damage Ali had absorbed against Shavers. Ali later said Shavers was the hardest puncher he ever faced, famously stating "Earnie hit me so hard, it shook my kinfolk back in Africa" although Ali had previously used this amusing punch line in reference to various other hard hitting opponents.^[3]

Shavers v Norton/Holmes

In a mandatory title challenge eliminator he knocked out former champion and Ali beater Ken Norton in the first round, possibly the best win of his career.

Shavers then fought for the title against skilled champion Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in Pardise on September 29, 1979, exactly two years after his defeat by Ali. Shavers knocked Holmes down in round seven but was himself knocked out in round eleven after taking punishment. Holmes, known for his ability to take a punch, later said that Shavers' blow was the hardest he had ever taken in his career.

Later career

The Holmes bout was the last big match for Shavers. In 1980, he was knocked out in the seventh round by durable prospect Randall "Tex" Cobb. He never again fought for the world title. In 1982 he fought Joe Bugner, also on the comeback trail. Bugner was knocked down in the first but was stopped by cuts in the second round.

Shavers continued to fight professionally for several years, retiring in 1995 after losing to Brian Yates. Many thought he should have retired after his upset loss to lower contender Bernardo Mercado. Shavers suffered a similar retinal eye injury as boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.

Fighting style

Shavers was a heavy-handed puncher who stalked his opponents, setting them up for his thunderous right, which was responsible for many of his knockouts. Although Angelo Dundee in a Sports Illustrated mid 1970s article explained "He can get you out of there with any kind of shot," basically meaning left hook, right cross or right uppercut. Several famous tough chins had fallen to each of those punches. Bugner and Ellis to the uppercut.

At times lacking grace and accuracy, Earnie had a reputation for exhausting himself before round 7, this was probably due to insufficient training funds. Critics noted he rarely won a bout that went beyond 8 rounds. Well trained later, he fought Ali effectively for 15 rounds and later Holmes for 11.

Earnie would throw punches against any legal area he could reach, exposed or covered, relying on his tremendous power to wear down his opponents and exploiting any opening. His fighting stance produced a short and powerful image. His chin was his weakness. He could however "box" as well as slug. Notably, he injured his right hand early in a 10-round match against rated craftsman Henry Clark and so then nearly jabbed Clarke's head off, beating him at his own game as it were, to win on points.

Video and book

Shavers published a video of highlights of his career in 1992 titled Earnie D. Shavers, The hardest One-Punch Hitter, and later an autobiography.

Life after boxing

Shavers retired in 1983 after retinal problems were discovered. After retirement, he became an ordained Christian minister and moved to Phoenix, where he preached for many years. He moved to England to pastor a church there in the early 2000s. He has been on the Benny Hinn TV show several times.

During the early 1980s while preparing for the feature film Rocky III, Sylvester Stallone explored the possibility of using a real heavyweight boxer in the role of James "Clubber" Lang by inviting Earnie Shavers to spar with him. Shavers initially refused to hit Stallone with anything other than a soft jab. This frustrated Stallone, who asked Shavers, "C'mon Earnie, show me something real." Earnie responded by punching him once near the liver, forcing an immediate retirement; Stallone later said: "that nearly killed me. I went straight to the men's room and threw up".^[4]

Shavers has visited Ali several times and he says he, Ali, and George Foreman have become very good friends over the years. Shavers accepted the invitation of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International^[5] to preach at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Earnie also works in Liverpool in the UK, as head of security at Hannahs' bar, where he is very much respected. The staff of Hannah's bar say that he does not work there now. Until five years ago (2009) he worked at Yates' Wine Lodge in Liverpool "meeting and greeting". On occasion Shavers was a troubleshooting referee in professional wrestling after his retirement.

He is also a Patron of The Shannon Bradshaw Trust,^[6] a children's charity based in Warrington, Cheshire, helping children with life-threatening conditions, and their families.

Earnie speaks to pupils at Barr Beacon Language College in Walsall. Earnie also gave a speech 26 February 2008 at The Streetly School in Walsall, which was based upon helping kids make the right decisions in life.

Personal life

Shavers was married to Laverne Payne and has five daughters from their union, Tamara, Cynthia, Catherine, Carla, and Amy. He also has four daughters from other unions, Catherine, Lisa, Natasha and Latonya. He has 24 grandchildren. He worked at General Motors in Lordstown, Ohio in the late 1960s. Shavers made a guest appearance on the Irish TV programme The Late Late Show hosted by Ron Lyle where the two fighters discussed their previous bout that had happened a month earlier. Shavers was a frequent visitor to the pub "Roddy Bolands" in Dublin. There is a signed picture of Shavers drinking a pint of Guinness on the wall there.

Comeback

Shavers made a short comeback in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After a few wins and losses he retired in 1995 after being KO'd by Brian Yates in round 2.

In 2003, Shavers was ranked number 10 among boxing's greatest punchers in history by The Ring. Within the sport of boxing, he is widely considered to be the hardest puncher of all time.

Shavers finished his career in 1995 with a record of 74 wins (68 by knockout, 23 inside the first round), 14 losses and 1 draw.

Professional boxing record

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
89	Loss	74–14–1	Brian Yates	KO	2 (10), 2:49	Nov 24, 1995	Ho-Chunk Casino, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, U.S.
88	Win	74–13–1	Brian Morgan	MD	8	Sep 19, 1995	Georgetowne Club, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
87	Win	73–13–1	Larry Sims	KO	2 (10), 1:30	May 16, 1987	Technical College Gymnasium, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
86	Loss	72–13–1	George Chaplin	DQ	9 (10), 2:41	Mar 1, 1983	Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.	Shavers disqualified for low blows
85	Win	72–12–1	Rahim Muhammad	PTS	10	Jan 29, 1983	El Paso, Texas, U.S.
84	Win	71–12–1	Tony Perea	KO	7 (10)	Nov 5, 1982	El Paso, Texas, U.S.
83	Win	70–12–1	Phil Clinard	TKO	2 (8), 1:05	Oct 14, 1982	Duke's Country, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
82	Win	69–12–1	Chuck Gardner	KO	2 (10), 2:07	Sep 5, 1982	Wales, Wisconsin, U.S.
81	Loss	68–12–1	Walter Santemore	UD	10	Aug 17, 1982	Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.
80	Win	68–11–1	Billy Joe Thomas	KO	5 (10)	Jun 22, 1982	Astroarena, Houston, Texas, U.S.
79	Loss	67–11–1	James Tillis	UD	10	Jun 11, 1982	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
78	Win	67–10–1	Danny Sutton	TKO	7 (10)	May 15, 1982	USS Yorktown (CV-10), Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
77	Win	66–10–1	Joe Bugner	TKO	2 (10), 2:14	May 8, 1982	Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
76	Win	65–10–1	Ali Haakim	PTS	10	Apr 22, 1982	Grand Traverse Hilton, Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
75	Win	64–10–1	Jeff Sims	KO	5 (10), 1:34	Dec 11, 1981	Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas
74	Win	63–10–1	Mike Rodgers	KO	2 (10), 1:38	Sep 9, 1981	Civic Center, Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
73	Win	62–10–1	Terry Mims	KO	2 (10), 1:35	Jul 29, 1981	Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
72	Win	61–10–1	Ted Wadkins	TKO	2 (10), 1:30	Oct 17, 1980	Auditorium, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
71	Loss	60–10–1	Randall Cobb	TKO	8 (10), 2:19	Aug 2, 1980	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
70	Win	60–9–1	Leroy Boone	UD	10	Jun 14, 1980	Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
69	Loss	59–9–1	Bernardo Mercado	TKO	7 (10), 0:41	Aug 2, 1980	The Great Gorge Playboy Club Hotel, Vernon Township, New Jersey, U.S.
68	Loss	59–8–1	Larry Holmes	TKO	11 (15), 2:00	Sep 28, 1979	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBC heavyweight title
67	Win	59–7–1	Eddie Parotte	TKO	3 (10)	May 25, 1979	Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio, U.S.
66	Win	58–7–1	Ken Norton	TKO	1 (12), 1:58	Mar 23, 1979	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
65	Win	57–7–1	Harold Carter	KO	3 (10)	Dec 4, 1978	Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
64	Win	56–7–1	John Girowski	KO	4 (10), 1:48	Oct 9, 1978	Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
63	Win	55–7–1	Harry Terrell	RTD	1 (10)	Jul 20, 1978	The Dome Civic Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
62	Loss	54–7–1	Larry Holmes	UD	12	Mar 25, 1978	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
61	Loss	54–6–1	Muhammad Ali	UD	15	Sep 29, 1977	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	For WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
60	Win	54–5–1	Howard Smith	KO	2 (10), 2:18	Apr 16, 1977	The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
59	Win	53–5–1	Roy Williams	KO	10 (10), 2:46	Dec 11, 1976	The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
58	Win	52–5–1	Henry Clark	TKO	2 (10), 2:19	Sep 28, 1976	Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
57	Win	51–5–1	Henry Clark	PTS	10	Mar 28, 1976	Pavillon de Paris, Paris, France
56	Win	50–5–1	Tommy Howard	KO	3 (10), 2:00	Nov 13, 1975	Howard Johnson's, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
55	Loss	49–5–1	Ron Lyle	TKO	6 (12), 0:47	Sep 13, 1975	Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
54	Win	49–4–1	Oliver Wright	TKO	3 (10), 1:55	May 8, 1975	Steelworkers Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
53	Win	48–4–1	Rochell Norris	TKO	10 (10), 0:31	Apr 9, 1975	Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, New York, U.S.
52	Win	47–4–1	Leon Shaw	KO	1 (10), 2:55	Feb 11, 1975	Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
51	Draw	46–4–1	Jimmy Young	SD	10	Nov 26, 1974	Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, U.S.
50	Loss	46–4	Bob Stallings	UD	10	Nov 4, 1974	Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
49	Win	46–3	Roy Wallace	KO	1 (10), 2:11	May 16, 1974	Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
48	Loss	45–3	Jerry Quarry	TKO	1 (10), 2:21	Dec 14, 1973	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
47	Win	45–2	Jimmy Ellis	KO	1 (10), 2:39	Jun 18, 1973	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
46	Win	44–2	Harold Carter	KO	1 (10), 2:10	May 12, 1973	Windsor Arena, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
45	Win	43–2	Jimmy Young	TKO	3 (10), 2:59	Feb 19, 1973	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
44	Win	42–2	Leroy Caldwell	KO	2 (10), 2:00	Oct 25, 1972	High School Gym, Newton Falls, Ohio, U.S.
43	Win	41–2	A J Staples	TKO	1 (10), 2:12	Sep 22, 1972	Moonlight Gardens Ballroom, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
42	Win	40–2	Vicente Rondón	UD	10	Aug 26, 1972	Memorial Auditorium, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
41	Win	39–2	Lou Bailey	KO	2 (10), 1:07	May 5, 1972	Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
40	Win	38–2	Bob Felstein	TKO	5 (10), 2:38	Apr 22, 1972	Fieldhouse, Struthers, Ohio, U.S.
39	Win	37–2	Charley Polite	KO	3 (10), 0:50	Apr 6, 1972	Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S.
38	Win	36–2	Elgie Walters	KO	2 (10), 0:20	Feb 15, 1972	Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
37	Win	35–2	Ted Gullick	KO	6 (10)	Feb 1, 1972	Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S.
36	Win	34–2	Del Morris	KO	3 (10), 2:40	Nov 28, 1971	Bryant, South Dakota, U.S.
35	Win	33–2	Cleo Daniels	KO	2 (10)	Nov 23, 1971	Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S.
34	Win	32–2	Elmo Henderson	KO	4 (10), 2:35	Oct 28, 1971	Sahara Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
33	Win	31–2	Charlie Boston	KO	2 (10), 1:55	Oct 16, 1971	Dean Chance Gymnasium, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
32	Win	30–2	Pat Duncan	KO	5 (10)	Sep 28, 1971	Primadonna, Reno, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant Nevada State heavyweight title
31	Win	29–2	Richard Pittman	KO	1 (10)	Aug 11, 1971	Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30	Win	28–2	Bill McMurray	KO	1 (10), 2:56	Jul 13, 1971	Sahara Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
29	Win	27–2	Bill Hardney	KO	1 (10), 1:52	Jun 29, 1971	Western Reserve Field, Warren, Ohio, U.S.
28	Win	26–2	Chuck Leslie	KO	10 (10), 1:15	Jun 10, 1971	Sahara Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
27	Win	25–2	Willie Johnson	TKO	4 (10), 0:33	Apr 24, 1971	Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
26	Win	24–2	Mac Harrison	KO	2 (10), 1:16	Apr 21, 1971	Dean Chance Gymnasium, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
25	Win	23–2	Young Agabab	KO	1 (10)	Mar 24, 1971	Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24	Win	22–2	Steve Carter	TKO	1 (10)	Mar 3, 1971	Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
23	Win	21–2	Dick Gosha	TKO	5 (10), 2:38	Feb 17, 1971	Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
22	Win	20–2	Johnny Mac	KO	3 (10)	Feb 3, 1971	Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
21	Win	19–2	Nat Shaver	KO	1 (6)	Jan 15, 1971	Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
20	Win	18–2	Lee Estes	KO	2 (8)	Jan 6, 1971	Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
19	Win	17–2	Bunky Akins	KO	1 (6), 0:59	Dec 7, 1970	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
18	Win	16–2	Johnny Mac	TKO	4 (8)	Nov 18, 1970	Fitch High School Gym, Austintown, Ohio, U.S.
17	Win	15–2	John Hudgins	KO	1 (6), 0:55	Oct 14, 1970	Moonlight Gardens Ballroom, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
16	Win	14–2	Don Branch	KO	1 (6)	Sep 12, 1970	Cooper Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
15	Win	13–2	Jim Daniels	KO	1 (10)	Aug 29, 1970	Fitch High School Gym, Austintown, Ohio, U.S.
14	Loss	12–2	Ron Stander	KO	5 (8), 0:52	May 11, 1970	Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
13	Win	12–1	Frank Smith	KO	4 (6)	Apr 14, 1970	Moonlight Gardens Ballroom, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
12	Win	11–1	Ron Asher	KO	1 (8), 0:58	Mar 23, 1970	Fitch High School Gym, Austintown, Ohio, U.S.
11	Win	10–1	Art Miller	TKO	1 (6), 2:41	Mar 10, 1970	Moonlight Gardens Ballroom, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
10	Win	9–1	Abe Brown	TKO	5 (6), 1:35	Jan 27, 1970	Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
9	Win	8–1	Joe Byrd	TKO	3 (6), 1:35	Jan 24, 1970	Memorial Auditorium, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
8	Win	7–1	Abe Brown	TKO	1 (6), 1:44	Jan 7, 1970	Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
7	Win	6–1	Chico Froncano	KO	1 (4), 2:05	Dec 18, 1969	Memorial Auditorium, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
6	Win	5–1	Gene Idelette	KO	2 (6)	Dec 9, 1969	Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
5	Win	4–1	J. D. McCauley	KO	2 (4), 2:18	Dec 4, 1969	Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
4	Win	3–1	Lee Roy	KO	3 (6), 2:20	Nov 21, 1969	Municipal Auditorium, Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S.
3	Loss	2–1	Stan Johnson	UD	4	Nov 13, 1969	Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	George Holden	KO	1 (6), 1:01	Nov 11, 1969	Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Silas Howell	TKO	1 (4), 2:20	Nov 6, 1969	Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.	Professional debut

Titles in boxing

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Earnie Shavers.

• Muhammad Ali vs Ernie Shavers, September 29, 1977 on YouTube.
• Professional boxing record for Earnie Shavers from BoxRec
• Statistical analysis of the KO record of Earnie Shavers