Earnie Shavers vs. Chuck Leslie ~ June 10, 1971

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ June 10, 1971

Earnie 'The Razor' Shavers
Age.......... 25 years, 10 months
Record ..... 25-2-0 {25 KO's}

Chuck 'Charlie' Leslie
Age......... 28 years, 2 months
Record.... 35-21-6 {7 KO's}

Chuck 'Charlie' Leslie

A 28 year-old Los Angeled based trial-horse. Chuck was a 9-year Professional
who had been a pro since 1963.

A 6' 0" ~ 180 lb. speedy boxer/mover, who was once the California State
Light-Heavyweight Champion.

Chuck was a 'gritty fighter', who was not easy to tag.

Chuck had been ranked as the #9 WBA Light-Heavyweight in 1968,
and at #7 WBA in 1969.

Don't let the 'spotty record' fool you.

Chuck had upset {W Dec 10} Ted Gullick back on {June 24, 1970}, and took
Ken Norton the full 10-Rounds on {September 26, 1970}.

[Bill Paxtom]

Chuck 'Charlie' Leslie

Height .... 6' 0"
Weight ... 180 to 185
Stance ... Orthodox
Style ...... Boxer/Mover
Speed .... Very Fast

Record before facing Earnie Shavers > 35-21-6 {7 KO's}

Chuck Leslie was the former California State Light-Heavyweight Champion,
which he won in 1966.

Got ranked as the #9 WBA Light-Heavyweight in November 1968, and reached
the #7 WBA position in March 1969.

The 28 year-old who started as a Pro in 1963, was a 9-Year Professional.

Chuck had very fast-hands, and had good footwork. He also had a very good
chin, and had only been Knocked Out {counted out} once in 62-Bouts.

That was to Joe Frazier {L KO 3} on May 19, 1965.

He had also been stopped '3' other times earlier in his career, but they were by TKO's.

[Bill Paxtom]

"Dean Chance's Fighter Passes 1st Test"

Earnie Shavers of Warren, Ohio scored a 10th Round Knockout over
Los Angeles' Chuck Leslie at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel.

The 25 1/2 year-old Shavers {203 lbs.} floored the 28 year-old Leslie {185 lbs.}
in the 1st Round with a long right-hand to the temple.

But the scrappy Los Angeles fighter used his experience and footwork to stay
out of further danger for the rest of Round 1 and Round 2.

Both fighters slugged away in Rounds 3 thru 5, but neither was able to take full
advantage, though Shavers power was evident.

The action lulled in Rounds 6 and 7, but Shavers picked up the pace in Round 8
and landed several long right-hands which closed Chuck's left-eye.

Leslie was barely able to scamper away in Round 9, as Shavers tagged him with
several hard punches to both the head and body that had him groggy.

Shavers came out in Round 10 looking to finish the weary veteran, and clubbed
away with both hands. Chuck was hurt several times, and was near defenseless
at the {1:00 Mark}.

Moments later, Earnie landed the finisher, and caught Leslie with a booming
overhand right that sent the smaller fighter to the canvas, where he was counted
out @ 1:15 of Round 10 by Referee - Sam Macias.

The Warren, Ohio Heavyweight was well ahead on all '3' Scorecards, before scoring
the Knockout.

Earnie improved his record to 26-2-0, with all wins coming via the Knockout route.

[Master]

Another Shavers thread.

[Bill Paxtom]

Another Shavers thread.

June 11, 1971


Dean Chance {Promoter for Earnie Shavers}

We'll be looking for George Foreman soon. We're grooming Earnie
for George, and within 5-Months we will be ready for him.

Chuck Leslie was our '1st' real test.

Earnie wasn't really that big in 1971.
Height > 6' 0 1/2"
Weight > 203 lbs.

[Bill Paxtom]

Another Shavers thread.

The more you dig, the more you respect Earnie as a fighter.

[Master]

Another Shavers thread.

The more you dig, the more you respect Earnie as a fighter.

I respect him and I was 2 months old then.

[brocktonblockbust]

Another Shavers thread.

The more you dig, the more you respect Earnie as a fighter.

I respect him and I was 2 months old then.

you lil' young piece of

[Max Power]

Another Shavers thread.

The more you dig, the more you respect Earnie as a fighter.

You are making a fool out of yourself and out of Earnie!

The opponents you are dragging up here make the opponents of Wilder or even Butterbean look stellar by comparison.

10 rounds to stop a guy like this in a "tough fight"? Come on man!

1st real test? LOL You gotta be kidding!

[Bill Paxtom]

Max

I guess you never saw Chuck Leslie fight.

He was no easy guy to hit, let alone take him out.

He was a well-respected trial-horse.

[Max Power]

Thursday ~ June 10, 1971

Earnie 'The Razor' Shavers
Age.......... 25 years, 10 months
Record ..... 25-2-0 {25 KO's}

Chuck 'Charlie' Leslie
Age......... 28 years, 2 months
Record.... 35-21-6 {7 KO's}

Chuck 'Charlie' Leslie

A 28 year-old Los Angeled based trial-horse. Chuck was a 9-year Professional
who had been a pro since 1963.

A 6' 0" ~ 180 lb. speedy boxer/mover, who was once the California State
Light-Heavyweight Champion.

Chuck was a 'gritty fighter', who was not easy to tag.

Chuck had been ranked as the #9 WBA Light-Heavyweight in 1968,
and at #7 WBA in 1969.

Don't let the 'spotty record' fool you.

Chuck had upset {W Dec 10} Ted Gullick back on {June 24, 1970}, and took
Ken Norton the full 10-Rounds on {September 26, 1970}.

And there we have an even more complete picture.

22-23
180lbs

Scarcely a boxer with a record as bad as that today, even on Wilder's record.
And approximately the size of a SUPER MIDDLE WEIGHT today after rehydration on fight night.

And notice "taking KEn Norton the full 10 rounds" is cited as a VIRTUE of Leslie, instead of the correct interpretation, that is should be viewed as a SIGN OF THE WEAKNESS of KEn Norton for not being able to waste such a cherry opponent.