'Bobcat' Bob Stallings ~ "I Lumped Up Earnie Shavers'

[Bill Paxtom]

'Bobcat' Bob Stallings

Bob Stallings raised his hands and celebrates after dropping Earnie Shavers in Round 9.



At the end of Round 9, I knew that the bout was mine to win. All I had to do was keep the
pressure on Earnie in Round 10, and not make any mistakes.

In Round 10, I came out by using constant movement. I kept bobbing-and-weaving, presenting
angles and left Earnie with 'no openings to unload his heavy punches on.

He tried to counter, but his arms were weary and his punches were slow. Then I started to 'zing'
him with my right-hand leads, and I bounced several punches flush off of his head.

Late in the Round I had him wobbly, but I wasn't the type of fighter with a big KO punch.

I still poured it on over the last 30-Seconds, but Earnie hung in there despite being completely
exhausted.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Bobcat' Bob Stallings

Despite me beating and 'lumping up' Earnie Shavers, I didn't get that much recognition.

Even the sports headline newspaper reports failed to mention me. Instead they mentioned
that Earnie lost.

'Shavers Loses Decision'

'Shavers Comeback Bid Stalled In New York'

'Shavers Nicked In New York'

I was now being labeled as a 'Super Underdog'. And a short-squat counter-puncher with
a losing record.

I really liked the label, the 'burly' New York journeyman that enjoyed losing.