EARNIE SHAVERS, 1934-2022
UNLESS he was punching you, Earnie Shavers was easy to like. One of the most devastating punchers in boxing history, he was a charming man with a good sense of humour and a kind word for almost everyone he met.
Shavers was born in Alabama on August 31, 1944, and grew up in Ohio. He turned pro on November 6, 1969, and had 89 fights over the course of a 26-year career, compiling a 74-14-1 record with 68 knockouts. He didn’t have the greatest stamina or chin in the world, as evidenced by the seven “KOs by” on his ring ledger – but if Earnie caught you with a good shot before you caught him, you were likely to be gone.
Shavers fought five men who held a version of the heavyweight title at one time or another – Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes (twice), Ken Norton, Jimmy Young (twice), and Jimmy Ellis. His record in those fights
