Former heavyweight title challenger and one of the hardest punchers ever in boxing, Earnie Shavers recently passed away at age 78. The cause of the death has not yet been revealed. Incidentally, Shaver’s gained fame in the 1970s, although he fought from 1969 to 1995.
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Notably, his best moments came when he fought Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes for the heavyweight title. Unsurprisingly, he lost to Ali by decision at Madison Square Garden. It was a close decision, with Ali pulling through in a valiant final round. However, he praised Shavers for his punching power after the fight. The news was announced this morning as streaming service DAZN paid tribute to him.
One of the hardest punchers in boxing history 💥
Earnie Shavers has sadly passed away at the age of 78. RIP Champ 🙏 pic.twitter.com/0TFkRWaLob
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 1, 2022
Shavers was one of the most beloved personalities in the boxing community, and fans took to social media to mourn the tragic loss of the legend.
Fans shocked by the tragic death of Shavers
One fan praised shavers, calling him one best heavyweight ever. He also stated that Shavers will never be forgotten.
Rip to one of the best heavyweights ever , Ali said shavers was the hardest hitter in boxing history, I take his word for everything, gone but never forgotten🙏🙏
— nyc.jakeee (@nycjakee) September 1, 2022
Another fan gave his condolences on the passing away of the legend.
Sad news. RIP Earnie
— Matt Birtles 💙🧡💙🧡 (@Mattbirtles78) September 1, 2022
Moreover, one fan claimed that this was very sad news and called him a gentleman.
Very sad news. A true gentleman.
— Mark Bridges (@SpongeBridges) September 1, 2022
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Furthermore, one fan stated that although he lost to Ali and Holmes, he was still one of the best. He even posted a video of his 10-round battle with Roy Williams and claimed this was the power punching fight before Wilder vs Fury.
🔥 Yeah, Earnie Shavers LOST to Ali and Holmes (we know!). Here's what you NEED to see:
Before @Tyson_Fury vs. @BronzeBomber 1 (Round 12), there was Shavers versus Roy Williams in a battle of power punching bad asses. This is the 10th and final round #EarnieShavers 🇺🇸🥊🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ynxV5z5rOp
— Tom Gray (@Tom_Gray_Boxing) September 1, 2022
Lastly, one fan even recalled the memory of him chatting with Shavers when he worked as a doorman at a wine lodge.
Chatted to him when he was working doors at Yates (the wine lodge) and was a lovely guy
— Darren McChrystal (@mrmcchrystal) September 1, 2022
Shavers was one of the best heavyweights never to win a championship. However, he was adored and appreciated by his fellow boxers and fans and will forever be remembered for his contribution to the sport.
A look into Shavers’ boxing career
Ali was not the only heavyweight legend who fought Shavers. He even fought former heavyweight champ, Larry Holmes, twice. The first fight came just after his loss to Ali and was a non-title bout. Holmes won the match via decision. However, he would then face off Ken Norton and win the vacant WBC title.
Shavers and Holmes would then fight for the WBC title in 1979. In the seventh round, Shavers knocked Holmes down, but Holmes got up and knocked Shavers out in the 11th round. Like Ali, Holmes also praised Shavers for his punching power. Shavers made several comebacks, however, he ended his career after a knockout loss at the age of 48.
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What do you think was the most iconic moment in Shavers’ career? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Edited by
Ajinkya Aswale