Chuvalo vs. Shavers

[bigjake]

This fight was made in the early to mid 1970's,but called off when 1 fighter got injured.how you think this fight would have played out?

[mr. magoo]

I think Chuvalo's durability and ring savy would bale him out. I could see Shavers tiring and falling victom to a knockout or stoppage late.

[Charles White]

I think Chuvalo's durability and ring savy would bale him out. I could see Shavers tiring and falling victom to a knockout or stoppage late. Chuvalo was one tough sonuvabitch. I don't really know how this would pan out. I will wait for others to post.

[bigjake]

I think Chuvalo's durability and ring savy would bale him out. I could see Shavers tiring and falling victom to a knockout or stoppage late.

thats exactly how i'd call it,shavers running out of gas and chuvalo taking him out in the later rds.

[bigjake]

Chuvalo was one tough sonuvabitch. I don't really know how this would pan out. I will wait for others to post.

chuvalo at 71 still looks pretty tough,but i've heard him say on several occassions he hated getting hit.those punches hurt

[mr. magoo]

chuvalo at 71 still looks pretty tough,but i've heard him say on several occassions he hated getting hit.those punches hurt

I don't blame him.

[AlFrancis]

Chuvalo for me. Stands up to Ernie's pick shots then comes on for a late stoppage or points win.

[Charles White]

chuvalo at 71 still looks pretty tough,but i've heard him say on several occassions he hated getting hit.those punches hurt Yeah he does look pretty tough even today. I saw that documentary that they made of him a while back. Pretty good doc., sad story though. Seems like a very nice, likeable kind of guy. I'd like to meet him someday.

[Joe E]

I think Chuvalo had the chin to withstand Shavers' punches, Earnie didn't have the stamina to go 15. Chuvalo late round stoppage.

[Bummy Davis]

Chuvalo's durable and once Earnie runs out of steam....I can see him getting stopped

[natonic]

I have to go with the consesus. Chuvalo. Styles make fights.

[PowerPuncher]

Shavers may have still stopped him because Chuvalo is slow and open to been hit. Shavers could also outbox Chuvalo

[mr. magoo]

but one can't help but wonder, since Shavers was so powerful, that if he could have done what no one else had done before: knock out George Chuvalo. Not stop him on cuts, or some other bullshit way of ending the fight, but to stop him cold.

Although I favor Chuvalo heavily, what you're talking about is certainly possible. Chuvalo had his cheek bone fractured by a 16 fight Frazier, so the thought of Earnie Shavers forcing a stoppage or even a KO is not out of the question.

[Russell]

Although I favor Chuvalo heavily, what you're talking about is certainly possible. Chuvalo had his cheek bone fractured by a 16 fight Frazier, so the thought of Earnie Shavers forcing a stoppage or even a KO is not out of the question.

I believe Chuvalo went into the fight with a injured cheekbone. Frazier just put the nail in the coffin there.

Anyway, the question of Chuvalo taking Shaver's bombs isn't what I doubt here. It's the ref not stopping the fight if Shaver's got him in a corner like Foreman did to Chuvalo and beating on him.

[mr. magoo]

I believe Chuvalo went into the fight with a injured cheekbone. Frazier just put the nail in the coffin there.

Anyway, the question of Chuvalo taking Shaver's bombs isn't what I doubt here. It's the ref not stopping the fight if Shaver's got him in a corner like Foreman did to Chuvalo and beating on him.

True, a stoppage is far more likely then a flat out KO.

[Russell]

Shaver's was great at backing fighters up when he tried, now that I think about it.

He jabbed Norton across the ring in seconds flat and then destroyed him against the ropes.

[Bummy Davis]

Shavers lacked stamina and once winded folded

[Russell]

Shavers lacked stamina and once winded folded

Shaver's stamina wasn't the worst I've ever seen.

Not great, but like I said, you could do worse for a power puncher.

[mcvey]

This fight was made in the early to mid 1970's,but called off when 1 fighter got injured.how you think this fight would have played out?
Similar to the Cobb/ Shavers fight, Earnie gets gassed trying to take out Mr Concrete Chin and Chuvalo either stops him late or takes a dec.

[mr. magoo]

Shaver's stamina wasn't the worst I've ever seen.

Not great, but like I said, you could do worse for a power puncher.

True,

He did manage to go many rounds with a prime Larry Holmes and even floored him once. Shavers had stamina, but it just wasn't consistant...

[Russell]

True,

He did manage to go many rounds with a prime Larry Holmes and even floored him once. Shavers had stamina, but it just wasn't consistant...

He stopped ultra tough Roy William's in the 10th after beating on him all night.

Went 15 with Ali.

Stopped extremely durable Mercado in the 7th.

So on and so forth.

[mr. magoo]

Stopped extremely durable Mercado in the 7th.



Actually, Mercado stopped him....

[Russell]

Whoops. :lol:

Well, turn it around then. He was stopped extremely late by Mercado.

[Bummy Davis]

Tiger Williams was overated as a puncher although he almost had Earnie out of there, Earnie pulled it out but Williams could not stop glass Jaw Richard Dunn so he does not scare me as a puncher...Earnie ran out of gas and was stopped by Cobb, Mercado,Lyle,Stander...Quarry took him out fast and Stalling beat him tired....Earnie could punch hard but had low stamina and skinny legs, once he ran out of steam it was usually over...He lasted longer vs Holmes and Ali...I think George would be too solid for him and earnie would tire.

[tommy the hat]

I think Chuvalo's durability and ring savy would bale him out. I could see Shavers tiring and falling victom to a knockout or stoppage late.
I totally agree.:good

[youngmonzon]

This fight was made in the early to mid 1970's,but called off when 1 fighter got injured.how you think this fight would have played out?

Chuvalo by late KO. Chuvalo was too durable and Shavers would have gassed late. This fight would resemble the Tex Cobb KO of Shavers in 1980. Cobb took all of Shavers big shots and then stopped him late.

[Bill Butcher]

Wow, never thought of this match before, hard to believe it nearly happened.

Arguably the hardest hitting HWT against arguably the toughest chinned HWT... mmmmm.....

Shavers by TKO on cuts - Im not saying he couldnt KO Chuvalo but I think George takes his bombs much like he did Foremans tho not as many as the ref or doctor would stop it sooner than in that fight.

I know Ernie could be KOd himself but George was more an accumulation puncher without great KO power & when both are exchanging shots then I think Chuvalo`s skin caves before either man does, thats just my view.

[Mendoza]

I think Chuvalo had the chin to withstand Shavers' punches, Earnie didn't have the stamina to go 15. Chuvalo late round stoppage.

Shavers went 15 before, and his skills are under rated. Shavers could stop chavalo the same way Foreman or Frazier did.

The fight could go wither way. I like Shavers early or in the middle, or Chavalo late.

[Brian123]

I have to go with the consesus. Chuvalo. Styles make fights.

Agreed, Shavers would not outbox Chuvalo and we all know Chuvalo was never put down I look at it like a Cotto-Margo type fight.

[bigjake]

Agreed, Shavers would not outbox Chuvalo and we all know Chuvalo was never put down I look at it like a Cotto-Margo type fight.

chuvalo takes shavers out late,no question

[bigjake]

I believe Chuvalo went into the fight with a injured cheekbone. Frazier just put the nail in the coffin there.

Anyway, the question of Chuvalo taking Shaver's bombs isn't what I doubt here. It's the ref not stopping the fight if Shaver's got him in a corner like Foreman did to Chuvalo and beating on him.

most don't know that chuvalo got that injury sparring for the fight,glad someone besides me knows.shavers was to small i believe to bull chuvalo around

[OLD FOGEY]

This fight was made in the early to mid 1970's,but called off when 1 fighter got injured.how you think this fight would have played out?

Shavers lost to Stander and Cobb. I think he also loses to Chuvalo, who would be tough enough to withstand his early attack and then come on for a late round knockout.

[Robbi]

I'd liked to have seen this one.

[pmfan]

Shavers lost to Stander and Cobb. I think he also loses to Chuvalo, who would be tough enough to withstand his early attack and then come on for a late round knockout.

Tough fight. Shavers could be rocked and stopped early, as he was by Quarry, and almost by Jimmy Ellis (Shavers came back to KO Ellis). But he could blast you out too. Lots of fun while it lasted. Chuvalo was not a bad fighter at all, when you watch the old films against Ali and Patterson, among others.

I remember Chuvalo's "KO" of Quarry though. Quarry was winning easily when he was knocked down because he was off balance. Then Quarry pulled a Knoblauch and lost track of the count before getting up.

[bigjake]

Chuvalo had the hardest chin in boxing history, standing up to countless flush blows by George Foreman, Joe Frazier and more. He would have taken Earnie's best and won by KO in the late rounds.

at 71 chuvalo looks pretty tough today,yea he had 1 of the best chins all of time

[mattdonnellon]

I remember Chuvalo's "KO" of Quarry though. Quarry was winning easily when he was knocked down because he was off balance. Then Quarry pulled a Knoblauch and lost track of the count before getting up.
Watched that fight earlier to-night by co-incidence and felt that Chuvalo was in the fight and it was more than an off-balance thing, Quarry's legs did a funny dance. But agreed he lost track of the count.

[bigjake]

Watched that fight earlier to-night by co-incidence and felt that Chuvalo was in the fight and it was more than an off-balance thing, Quarry's legs did a funny dance. But agreed he lost track of the count.

yes chuvlo was in that fight,he roughed quarry up pretty well at times i thought,remember quarry was a tough fighter himself only chuval ever put him down for the full count

[jowcol]

Regardless of the outcome, one should realize that had they fought in say 1975 you'de have been looking at a 37 year old Chuvalo vs. a 29 year old Shavers. Semi-different eras; Chuvalo definitely past prime and Shavers (arguably) was not quite in his prime yet...

[rodney]

Just watched a clip of Jerry Quarry demolishing Shavers in one round.
George would do the same thing.
Shavers could punch but didnt have the ring savy to touch George.
Chuvalo would pick him apart then knock him out no problem.

[dmille]

Unless Chuvalo got nailed and taken out in the first round, Shavers would tired after four or five rounds and be taken out in the seventh or eighth.

[bigjake]

Unless Chuvalo got nailed and taken out in the first round, Shavers would tired after four or five rounds and be taken out in the seventh or eighth.

who ever took chuvalo out in 1 round the man was never off his feet. george has interesting things to say about wlad on the 2nd part of his interview on you-tube

[mr. magoo]

I have already picked Chuvalo to take this fight by virtue of his chin, stamina and boxing ability, along with Shavers' tendency to tire or fold in the heat of adversity.

On the otherhand however, we should not forget that a 32 year old Shavers battled a peak Larry Holmes over many rounds on two occasions, and damn near had one of the most durable heavys of all time ( Holmes ) out at one point. For Shavers to survive the distance over say a 10 round contest, and pound out a decision over Chuvalo is not out of the question. We should furthermore consider, that the two most dangerous punchers that George ever faced, also happened to be the only two men who were able to force a stoppage against him ( Frazier - Foreman ). Now, granted these TKO losses had controversial endings. Apparently Chuvalo had an injured cheek bone ,which he claimed was already bothering him before the Frazier match and the Foreman fight may well have been a premature stoppage, but still. The best two punchers he faced were kicking his ass to the extent where someone was convinced that he had enough.

Earnie may very well have had power that equalled or even surpassed that of Foreman and Frazier. Therefore, a stoppage - controversial or otherwise, is not entirely out of the question.....Unlikely as it may be..

[Sam Dixon]

most don't know that chuvalo got that injury sparring for the fight

Here's a short writeup from page 164 of Stephen Brunt's 'Mean Business' which is in agreement with what you say;

"Perhaps the most gruesome was his 1967 fight with Joe Frazier. Before the bout, a piece of cartilage in Chuvalo's right eye socket had become dislodged in training but because of the magnitude of the fight and the money involved, the fight went ahead as scheduled."

As far as the scheduled Chuvalo-Shavers fight goes, they were set to go at it in Cleveland in, I believe, 1973, but Chuvalo didn't or couldn't go through with it because of a back injury that he was said to have sustained in training. Still, and although he apparently did produce a medical statement to David Ott (then chairman of the Cleveland Boxing and Wrestling Commission) to back up his claim of injury, Ott went through and suspended Chuvalo indefinately as a result of the "no show", which was a suspension held up by others like the WBA.

[My2Sense]

This fight was made in the early to mid 1970's,but called off when 1 fighter got injured.how you think this fight would have played out?
How good was Chuvalo still in the mid 70s? I thought he was past his prime by around that time.

I'd still favor Chuvalo to win, but a stoppage for Shavers isn't out of the possibility either, say if he were to bust up Chuvlo's face or break his cheekbone.

[Ted Spoon]

Ernie told Ted Spoon in his owns words that Chuvalo both ducked and could not of beaten him because he came forward...and then it would of been "OUT MAMA!"

Whatever the validity to the first point, the latter may of held true.

[mattdonnellon]

i'm guessing Ron Stander didn't run?

[bigjake]

Ernie told Ted Spoon in his owns words that Chuvalo both ducked and could not of beaten him because he came forward...and then it would of been "OUT MAMA!"

Whatever the validity to the first point, the latter may of held true.

chuvalo didn't duck anyone,hed have beaten shavers.ole ernie would have gased out

[Ted Spoon]

chuvalo didn't duck anyone,hed have beaten shavers.ole ernie would have gased out

Yes, it's doubtful that he did. It would have made for a great fight.

[Curtis Lowe]

This fight was made in the early to mid 1970's,but called off when 1 fighter got injured.how you think this fight would have played out?

Just like the Ron Stander - Earnie Shavers fight did. Earnie uses George for a heavy bag for 3 rounds, tires, then gets KOed.

P.S. Good to see you are still around and posting big Jake.

[bigjake]

Yes, it's doubtful that he did. It would have made for a great fight.

chuvalo looks pretty good at 71,saw him a few weeks ago

[bigjake]

Just like the Ron Stander - Earnie Shavers fight did. Earnie uses George for a heavy bag for 3 rounds, tires, then gets KOed.

P.S. Good to see you are still around and posting big Jake.

thank you,been on eastside boxing a long time now i still post now and then.i'm into other things to chasing girls, fast cars,and i'm in las vegas sometimes as well

[bigjake]

How good was Chuvalo still in the mid 70s? I thought he was past his prime by around that time.

I'd still favor Chuvalo to win, but a stoppage for Shavers isn't out of the possibility either, say if he were to bust up Chuvlo's face or break his cheekbone.

the broken cheekbone was a fluke it happened during sparing for frazier his cheek after being repaired was better then ever

[Jersey Joe]

Shavers may have still stopped him because Chuvalo is slow and open to been hit. Shavers could also outbox Chuvalo

Chuvalo = one of the greatest chins of all time. A non-stop power-punching barrage a la Foreman could stop him, but Shavers didn't really have the stamina for that. I really don't see Shavers knocking him out, which means a win for Chuvalo since Earnie faded bad in most of his fights, and had a glass jaw.

Usually when a great chin goes up against a great puncher, the chin prevails. See Hagler, Ali, Chavez etc.

[rodney]

Chuvalo = one of the greatest chins of all time. A non-stop power-punching barrage a la Foreman could stop him, but Shavers didn't really have the stamina for that. I really don't see Shavers knocking him out, which means a win for Chuvalo since Earnie faded bad in most of his fights, and had a glass jaw.

Usually when a great chin goes up against a great puncher, the chin prevails. See Hagler, Ali, Chavez etc.

Did you ever watch Forman/Chuvalo.
I thought George was winning.
Definately a premature stoppage.
Also,
George would outbox Shavers.
Watch Chuvalo/Patterson.
For what its worth, George never really took alot of punches on the chin. High on the head -- yes.
His hands were always up high and he used his jab.
His body attack was pretty dam good.

[bigjake]

Did you ever watch Forman/Chuvalo.
I thought George was winning.
Definately a premature stoppage.
Also,
George would outbox Shavers.
Watch Chuvalo/Patterson.
For what its worth, George never really took alot of punches on the chin. High on the head -- yes.
His hands were always up high and he used his jab.
His body attack was pretty dam good.

chuvalo talks about his body punching on the you-tube interview,yes he could bang and was strong as hell to boot

[dmille]

Who ever took chuvalo out in 1 round? The man was never off his feet.

Unless Chuvalo got nailed and taken out in the first round, Shavers would tired after four or five rounds and be taken out in the seventh or eighth.

The key word in that post is UNLESS. Reading IS fundamental.

[jowcol]

Did you ever watch Forman/Chuvalo.
I thought George was winning.
Definately a premature stoppage.


Foreman was boxing Chuvalo and landing occasional bombs.
In the third Chuvalo got hammered big time and turned away to
avoid further punishment. Foreman may have seriously hurt
him had they let that fight continue.

I agree George was a tough SOB (in any era) who always gave the other guy hell and may well have waded in and stopped a gassy
Shavers. But look at his resume for a moment. Outside of the strange
Quarry bout, what is his biggest win? His career seems to be filled with
a string of KO wins against mostly mediocre opponents punctuated throughout by a loss whenever he stepped up and fought any worthy contender.

Difficult to say as I've always liked Chuvalo a lot as a fighter and as
a person but the facts speak for themselves. Every time he stepped in against a top contender.....he lost.

[bigjake]

Foreman was boxing Chuvalo and landing occasional bombs.
In the third Chuvalo got hammered big time and turned away to
avoid further punishment. Foreman may have seriously hurt
him had they let that fight continue.

I agree George was a tough SOB (in any era) who always gave the other guy hell and may well have waded in and stopped a gassy
Shavers. But look at his resume for a moment. Outside of the strange
Quarry bout, what is his biggest win? His career seems to be filled with
a string of KO wins against mostly mediocre opponents punctuated throughout by a loss whenever he stepped up and fought any worthy contender.

Difficult to say as I've always liked Chuvalo a lot as a fighter and as
a person but the facts speak for themselves. Every time he stepped in against a top contender.....he lost.

that was quarry's fault he didn't remain standing not chuvalo's.what do you say about mike dejohn and doug jones my friend?fact was george was alwys dangerous,ali wanted no part of him after the dejohn fight REMEMBER???? back out of a signed contract

[jowcol]

that was quarry's fault he didn't remain standing not chuvalo's.what do you say about mike dejohn and doug jones my friend?fact was george was alwys dangerous,ali wanted no part of him after the dejohn fight REMEMBER???? back out of a signed contract

Jake, I respect you dude, I'm 55, you're probably there or a tad older.
I love George, he steps into any era he IS a force to be reckoned with. I often think about Dempsey, Louis, The Rock facing him and having their hands FULL of problems.
But...I stand by my post.
DeJohn? Yes, the big slugger from Miami, FL. His biggest win? NOBODY!
Bob Cleroux in '62? UD? Two sluggers and Bob beat Chuvalo 2 out of 3!
Burt Whitehurst? 1962? Come on! Doug Jones? Yes a viable contender
but by 1964 this smallish heavy had no more gas in the tank. Five months prior to Chuvalo's KO of him he lost to pitter-patter Billy Daniels who was a last minute sub! Don't bring up the joke of Ernie Terrel's "championship" WBA reign. He had two 'defenses' one against Jones who he outweighed by about 100 pounds and....your boy Chuvalo! Who he clearly outpointed...
You love Chuvalo, you love Ali...so do I but any viable top contender who was in good shape could beat Chuvalo any day of the week...

[rodney]

Jake, I respect you dude, I'm 55, you're probably there or a tad older.
I love George, he steps into any era he IS a force to be reckoned with. I often think about Dempsey, Louis, The Rock facing him and having their hands FULL of problems.
But...I stand by my post.
DeJohn? Yes, the big slugger from Miami, FL. His biggest win? NOBODY!
Bob Cleroux in '62? UD? Two sluggers and Bob beat Chuvalo 2 out of 3!
Burt Whitehurst? 1962? Come on! Doug Jones? Yes a viable contender
but by 1964 this smallish heavy had no more gas in the tank. Five months prior to Chuvalo's KO of him he lost to pitter-patter Billy Daniels who was a last minute sub! Don't bring up the joke of Ernie Terrel's "championship" WBA reign. He had two 'defenses' one against Jones who he outweighed by about 100 pounds and....your boy Chuvalo! Who he clearly outpointed...
You love Chuvalo, you love Ali...so do I but any viable top contender who was in good shape could beat Chuvalo any day of the week...

I suggest that you take a look a Shavers's record. He was knocked out in one by Jerry Quarry and knocked out in eight by Tex Cobb. The guy couldnt box and didnt have a chin. George would have had his number.
George could out box him and had the chin and stamina over Shavers.

[SteveO]

I think Chuvalo had the chin to withstand Shavers' punches, Earnie didn't have the stamina to go 15. Chuvalo late round stoppage.

:good

I think it would have been a good one.

[bigjake]

Jake, I respect you dude, I'm 55, you're probably there or a tad older.
I love George, he steps into any era he IS a force to be reckoned with. I often think about Dempsey, Louis, The Rock facing him and having their hands FULL of problems.
But...I stand by my post.
DeJohn? Yes, the big slugger from Miami, FL. His biggest win? NOBODY!
Bob Cleroux in '62? UD? Two sluggers and Bob beat Chuvalo 2 out of 3!
Burt Whitehurst? 1962? Come on! Doug Jones? Yes a viable contender
but by 1964 this smallish heavy had no more gas in the tank. Five months prior to Chuvalo's KO of him he lost to pitter-patter Billy Daniels who was a last minute sub! Don't bring up the joke of Ernie Terrel's "championship" WBA reign. He had two 'defenses' one against Jones who he outweighed by about 100 pounds and....your boy Chuvalo! Who he clearly outpointed...
You love Chuvalo, you love Ali...so do I but any viable top contender who was in good shape could beat Chuvalo any day of the week...

yea i'm over 60,but chuvalo's a lil better then your giving him credit for,after the dejohn fight ali wanted nothing to do with chuvalo.dundee has said he was way to tough for us back them.

[jowcol]

I suggest that you take a look a Shavers's record. He was knocked out in one by Jerry Quarry and knocked out in eight by Tex Cobb. The guy couldnt box and didnt have a chin. George would have had his number.
George could out box him and had the chin and stamina over Shavers.

George once said he wished he had been built different and would have liked to have been a stick & mover. Unfortunately, he said, he had to rely on the physical tools God had given him.

Earnie/George may have been interesting but as I said in an earlier post you have to really look at it as a fantasy fight as they could never have fought each other in each other's prime. George was past prime and Earnie was nearing prime at the time talk of their fighting surfaced.

[jowcol]

yea i'm over 60,but chuvalo's a lil better then your giving him credit for,after the dejohn fight ali wanted nothing to do with chuvalo.dundee has said he was way to tough for us back them.

Yes, prior to Ali becoming champ, Dundee steered his course cautiously.
Jones & Cooper were considered safe challenges. Chuvalo would have been a risk for Clay circa 1963. Dundee also avoided, for obvious reasons, Eddie Machen around the same time.

[rodney]

Foreman was boxing Chuvalo and landing occasional bombs.
In the third Chuvalo got hammered big time and turned away to
avoid further punishment. Foreman may have seriously hurt
him had they let that fight continue.

I agree George was a tough SOB (in any era) who always gave the other guy hell and may well have waded in and stopped a gassy
Shavers. But look at his resume for a moment. Outside of the strange
Quarry bout, what is his biggest win? His career seems to be filled with
a string of KO wins against mostly mediocre opponents punctuated throughout by a loss whenever he stepped up and fought any worthy contender.



Difficult to say as I've always liked Chuvalo a lot as a fighter and as
a person but the facts speak for themselves. Every time he stepped in against a top contender.....he lost.

I just watched Forman/Chuvalo.
I didnt see him turn away at all prior to the stoppage.
His hands were up and he was blocking punches.
I dont think that Forman hit Chuvalo on the chin the whole fight.

[burywh|te]

I think Chuvalo's definitely got this one. It doesn't make sense to say that any top contender would take him any day of the week... He's a top contender. He was robbed in the Terrell fight for the championship. His match against Patterson was Ring Magazine Fight of the Year in 1965. I think he won the 2nd Ali fight. Cooper would never fight him. He's got some wins over some big fighters:

Manuel Ramos (Mexican Champ)
Jerry Quarry
Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams
Yvon Durelle (He basically ended Durelle's career)
Doug Jones
Alex Miteff
Mike DeJohn (Whom he called the toughest puncher around)
Willie Besmanoff
Oscar Bonavena (He should have been given this decision)


Shavers was good but this fight would have taken place right around Ali v. Chuvalo II. Watch George in that fight... tough as nails

[jowcol]

I think Chuvalo's definitely got this one. It doesn't make sense to say that any top contender would take him any day of the week... He's a top contender. He was robbed in the Terrell fight for the championship. His match against Patterson was Ring Magazine Fight of the Year in 1965. I think he won the 2nd Ali fight. Cooper would never fight him. He's got some wins over some big fighters:
Manuel Ramos (Mexican Champ)
Jerry Quarry
Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams
Yvon Durelle (He basically ended Durelle's career)
Doug Jones
Alex Miteff
Mike DeJohn (Whom he called the toughest puncher around)
Willie Besmanoff
Oscar Bonavena (He should have been given this decision)
Shavers was good but this fight would have taken place right around Ali v. Chuvalo II. Watch George in that fight... tough as nails

You think he won the second Ali fight???
The wins you talked about are not great wins for a number of reasons save Quarry which many still look at as an anomaly. Ramos?? an old shot Williams? Even Jones was heading south when George fought him not to mention the big weight difference and DeJohn retired after the Chuvalo fight. He did beat Light Heavy Durelle and in his next fight lost to Pete Rademacher in Toronto. Besmanoff? Miteff? come on! And why put Oscar in there, he lost that one.

How about losses to:
Folley
Patterson
Terrell
Ali 2x
Frazier
Mathis
Foreman
Ellis

Actually we've basically covered his entire career (wait, two out of three losses to Clereax)

Let's take post-Patterson for example. Which KO beyond Floyd (save the Quarry fight) do you consider his "greatest"? We're talking 10-12 years here?

George was a tough SOB and in my earlier posts I gave him much praise; I just think he had his limitations and his resume can be critiqued and criticized as much as any other fighter.

OK a 65-67 Chuvalo would take a 75-77 Shavers IMO :bbb

[zadfrak]

I wanted to see a chuvalo--shavers fight.

But the thing with Earnie was that the lofty record of his in the early to mid 70's were all clubfights. The C and B grade heavies, at best. And he didn't win them all. And he sure didn't do very well against an old Quarry in his first big shot.

Back then, I always wanted to see Earnie in there with--don't laugh--Wepner. He was another guy on the club circuit that would fight anyone anytime and anywhere. He was definately beatable but kind of a Bugner type in that you'd better be in good shape for the fight. But he was a tough physical fighter in there and Shavers had lots of early ko's but not too many late one's. And a shaky stamina against a big strong durable guy is always a risk.

[silverking]

No disrespect to George, iron chinned for sure but Jowlcol is correct in pointing out he lost most every time he stepped up. I can't agree the Terrell fight was a bad decision. I also remember George coming to London to fight at the Albert Hall. He struggled to outpoint a washed up old Joe Bygraves & was easily outpointed by the very average Eduardo Corletti. Fighters Shavers would have blown away.