2. “The Acorn” Earnie Shavers 74-14-1, 68 KOs
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Earnie Shavers was born in Garland, Alabama in August of 1945. He didn’t have an extended amateur career though he did win the National AAU Heavyweight Championship in 1969. At 24 years old, Shavers elected to turn professional later that same year scoring a second round knockout.
Shaver’s unimaginable punching power was indisputable from the very beginning of his career winning 44 of his first 47 fights by knockout with 20 coming in the opening round. Through this period he put together a terrifying string of 27 consecutive knockouts.
Despite several setbacks that include stoppage losses, Shavers power made an impression on consumers and he was rewarded with a shot at the championship against Muhammad Ali in 1977. Shavers entered the ring prepared to make a statement as No. 1 contender Ken Norton commentated ringside for NBC. Shavers shook the iron chinned Ali to his boots with a nuclear right hand in the second round.
Ali exaggerated being hurt and Ernie, sensing a trap and not realizing how much trouble he was in didn’t press his advantage. It was an extremely close fight with Ali landing stinging combinations and Shavers detonating colossal shots on the Champion. The result was a razor thin unanimous-decision loss for Shavers.
Gaining further notoriety from his title shot, Shavers found himself on the cover of Sports Illustrated and soon after in the ring with Larry Holmes in a title-eliminator bout. He lost a clear decision but his name was firmly planted in the Heavyweight landscape. He won his next five fights by knockout including an overwhelming 1st round knockout of Ken Norton positioning him for a shot against recently crowned WBC Heavyweight King Larry Holmes.
In 1979 Shavers entered his last championship bout seeking revenge and the belt against Holmes. Shavers gave a spirited effort and came within a couple seconds of usurping the title when he dropped Holmes with an explosive right hand that left him in a heap and in deep trouble. Holmes rose groggily to his feet, shaking his head trying to clear the fog Shavers suddenly lowered upon him. He weathered the storm and stayed out of harm’s way until eventually turning the tables and stopping Shavers in the 11th.
Shavers continued fighting with moderate success with most wins coming inside the distance until retiring in 1983. He embarked on a couple of short, ill-fated comebacks and retired for good in 1995.
