Earnie Shavers: Boxing's Heavy Hitter

Yesterday's Sports

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes called him the hardest puncher they ever faced, harder than Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Mike Tyson. Randall Tex Cobb said: “He hit so hard you felt it in your ankles.” The man they were talking about was Earnie Shavers.

Once when George Foreman was asked who the hardest punchers he ever faced were, George responded, “Gerry Cooney, Ron Lyle, and Cleveland Williams.” When asked why Earnie Shavers wasn’t on that list, George responded, “I never fought Shavers, thank goodness!”

Actor Sylvester Stallone once got a taste of the punching power of Shavers when he invited Shavers to audition for the role of “Clubber” Lang. While Stallone was sparring with Shavers, Earnie, not wanting to hurt him, was hitting Stallone with soft jabs. After a few minutes, Stallone said, “Show me something real Earnie.” So, Shavers let him have it, punching him once near the liver. Stallone later said: “Earnie nearly killed me. I went straight to the men’s room and threw up”.....

You can read the full blog post here.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's books below.

Reliving 1970s Old School Football

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)