Quote Originally Posted by Beanflicker View Post
Quote Originally Posted by ICB View Post
Because he had some good performances, he almost stopped Larry Holmes. Could of won a decision vs Muhammad Ali, and stopped Ken Norton, Jimmy Young, both very good fighters.

He landed his huge missle right hand against Larry, but pretty much lost every round other than that.

His fight agaisnt Muhammad Ali was probably the best he's EVER been, hardest he ever trained, best shape he was ever in, and I still say Muhammad beat him clearly, and we're talking about a well passed it Ali.

He had the power to beat anyone on any given night but I think he's overrated as hell. People remember him beating on an old Ali and dropping Holmes, but no one remembers the Quarry/Mercado/Cobb/Lyle fights where he showed absolutely no stamina, heart or chin. There was a good reason he never won a title.
Well Earnie Shavers was past his best against Mercado, Cobb, so i don't hold them fights against him too much. He got caught cold against Jerry Quarry could happen to anyone, and the fight with Ron Lyle was a Lyle/Foreman type war. Could of gone either way again no shame in losing to Ron Lyle.

You still can't deny his performances against Young, Holmes 2, Ali, Norton, Ellis, yes he was limited but far worse Heavyweight's have won world titles. And Earnie Shavers would of been champion in any other era IMO.