Earnie Shavers vs. Rochelle Norris ~ April 9, 1975

[Bill Paxtom]

Prior to this bout.

Things had not particularly gone well for Earnie.

In August 1973, he had his 'jaw' dislocated by Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit in
a Cleveland sparring session, which put him out of action for 4-Months.

Then on December 14, 1973, he got 'cold-cocked' in the 1st Round by Jerry Quarry
at Madison Square Garden.

Then, Earnie took 6-Months off, before returning on May 16, 1974, to starch {KO 1}
cannon-fodder/trial-horse Roy 'Cookie' Wallace in San Jose.

Then there was another 5 1/2 month lay-off.

Earnie returned to New York again, and on November 4, 1974 - he took on light-punching
trial-horse Bob Stallings. Earnie punched himself out and was 'gassed' by the 5th Round,
and was eventually floored and nearly KO'd by Stallings who went on to win an upset
10-Round Decision.

3-Weeks later, Earnie was back in the Ring at the Spectrum in Philadelphai to take on
crafty Jimmy Young. Again Earnie started off fast, but as usual he gassed out. Earnie then
barely hung on to hold Jimmy Young to a 10-Round Draw.

In his only 1975 bout {February 11th}, Earnie flattened {KO 1} Florida Heavyweight -
Leon 'The Shadow' Shaw in Orlando, Florida.