Earnie Shavers
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Earnie Dee Shaver better known as Earnie Shavers (born August 31, 1945) was a professional boxer. Although Shavers never became Heavyweight champion, he has often been rated as perhaps the hardest puncher in heavyweight history. Shavers took up boxing at the late age of 22, yet two weeks later he won his first ever fight by a first round KO.
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[edit] Amateur Career
Prior to turning professional, Shavers had a short but notable amateur career, and was the 1969 National AAU Heavyweight Champion.
[edit] Professional Career
Known as the "The Acorn" and "Black Destroyer", Shavers compiled one of the most amazing records in boxing history. At one point he won almost thirty fights in a row by knockout. He scored over 20 victories in the first round alone. Shavers fought Muhammad Ali at the Madison Square Garden on September 29, 1977, and while almost flooring Ali with a right in the second round, he lost a close decision. Ali later said Shavers was one of the toughest men he ever fought. Shavers again fought for the title against champion Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada on September of 1979. Shavers knocked Holmes down in round seven but was later knocked out in round eleven. Holmes later said Shavers' blow was the hardest he had ever taken in his career.
[edit] Life after Boxing
Shavers retired in 1983 after retinal problems were discovered in his eyes. After retirement, he became an ordained Christian minister and moved to Phoenix, where he pastored 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. He 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 to preach at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Shavers was a trouble shooting referee in professional wrestling for a little while after his retirement.
[edit] Comeback
Shavers made a short comeback in the late 1980's and early 1990's. After a few wins and losses he retired for good in 1995.
In 2003, Shavers was ranked number 10 among boxing's greatest punchers in history by Ring Magazine. Shavers was given the title of "puncher of the century" and is widely considered to be the hardest puncher of all time. Ali, who also fought Foreman and Sonny Liston, both of whom are candidates for the title of 'hardest puncher ever', seemed to indicate that he felt that Shavers was the hardest puncher he ever faced. Holmes, who faced Mike Tyson, said that Shavers hit harder than Tyson. However, Shavers' punching power was not enough to compensate for his weak chin and poor stamina.
Shavers finished his career in 1995 with a record of 74 wins (68 by KO) 14 losses and 1 draw.
