Larry Holmes, the former world heavyweight champion, has named Earnie Shavers as the hardest puncher he ever faced. The surprising revelation came during a recent interview with Boxing News, where Holmes reflected on his experiences with various hard-hitting opponents.
Holmes, known as "The Easton Assassin," had a remarkable career that spanned one of boxing's greatest eras. He won his first world title in 1978, defeating Ken Norton for the WBC heavyweight crown in a split decision. Holmes went on to reign as champion for seven years, successfully defending his title 20 times.
During his career, Holmes faced numerous formidable opponents. He scored notable victories over Earnie Shavers, Tim Witherspoon, and Muhammad Ali, who's often regarded as the greatest of all time. His reign came to an end in 1985 after back-to-back defeats against Michael Spinks.
Holmes also squared off against other hard-hitting heavyweights like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Oliver McCall. Despite this impressive list of opponents, Holmes singled out Earnie Shavers as the biggest puncher he ever faced.
In the interview with Boxing News, Holmes stated emphatically:
"Earnie Shavers, no doubt about it. He could knock the hell out of you!"
Shavers, nicknamed "The Black Destroyer," never won a world title but is considered one of the best heavyweights to never do so. He challenged for the world title twice, losing to Muhammad Ali in 1977 and to Holmes himself in 1979.
Shavers' reputation as a devastating puncher is well-deserved. Over his 26-year professional career, he amassed an impressive 70 knockouts in 76 fights. This knockout record puts him in elite company among heavyweight boxers.
Holmes' praise for Shavers' punching power is particularly noteworthy given that he faced Mike Tyson in 1986, losing by knockout in the fourth round. The fact that Holmes rates Shavers' power above Tyson's speaks volumes about the impact of Shavers' punches.
Holmes' career stands as a testament to his skill and durability. He faced and defeated some of the hardest hitters in heavyweight history during his prime. His ability to withstand the punches of fighters like Shavers and still come out victorious underscores his greatness as a champion.
The revelation from Holmes serves as a reminder of the often-underappreciated power of Earnie Shavers. It also highlights the depth of talent in the heavyweight division during Holmes' era, a time when the sport of boxing was at its peak.
