Did Earnie Shavers or George Foreman hit harder? Leroy Caldwell, who fought both, gives his take 

I am happy that Leroy manage to take all the punches and still has all his faculties and speaks well, he must have been a very tough man.

I've just heard that Leroy passed away in February and did a little research online. A gofundme page created last August stated that: 'His medical condition has him on oxygen, lost over 100 lbs and can barely walk. He and his wife are facing eviction and her job is just not enough.' I was very sorry to read this. RIP Leroy.

Not only did Leroy say Shavers, he said by far. Which makes you truly wonder how hard did that guy actually hit?

"If Jesus Christ needed a bodyguard, he should call for Earnie Shavers." - One of the greatest boxing quotes ever,

Leroy might have lost some of those big fights but to listen to him talk he sounds like a winner. He is well spoken and dosen't sound like he Is punch drunk or has any memory issues. Im glad he has fared well and wish him the best, he sounds like a good man trying to help keep the kids off the streets.

Good to learn about Leroy Caldwell. Guys like this are precious and I am glad Leroy is still with us.

Good for Leroy that he seems sharp and happy and speaks clearly. Gettin' hit by Ernie Shavers and big George is enough to scramble you forever. Really does make you wonder what Leroy could have done with a proper team. He must have been a hell of a naturally talented guy.

Very well spoken for a Man who fought all of the heavy hitters

When a fighter says that with no hesitation and didnt even have to think about it you know he is telling the truth. When they asked Holyfield who hit him the hardest he said Foreman with no hesitation. When they asked Foreman who hit him the hardest he said Ron Lyle with no hesitation

This is why boxers are the Best People......Love and Respect from the UK.

Shavers died yesterday, I was randomly searching him up 2 days back in Google.. RIP

When a man punches you in the face so hard that your toes hurt, it's a pretty clear choice 😂

I remember reading the autobiography of Muhammad Ali and, I remember Ali sayjng as a youth and, all he saw were big slowfooted, lumbering, slumbering heavyweights standing in front of each other...just beggin to be knocked out! He said he wanted to be a Heavyweight but, be as fast as Sugar Ray Robinson! For the most part, even his worst critics...would admit that he achieved that in all respects! Now...this situation over who hit harder Foreman or Shavers...they both could hit hard! the difference was technical soundness! Had Foreman been able to box better, with the strength that he had...he could very well have beaten Ali "against the ropes" in Zaire! Shavers could box better than Foreman but, he didn't have the good follow up technique he needed when he had Ali in trouble! He had his chance! He even realized that he should have put more pressure on Ali...Earlier! They both hit as hard as a mule could kick and, don't forget Ron Lyle...who Punished both of them!

Ali was never the same after the Shavers fight😱

So, from my understanding of Leroy Caldwell's analogy. George Foreman's punches delayed upon impact. As for Earnie Shavers he had short burst of power when he shot punches because his style was tighter than Foreman's which allowed for consistent left and right punches. So, Earnie had volume over Foreman's brawling. Something I'd like to point out is that George Foreman and Earnie Shavers both have 68 WINS BY KO

MAN was fighting in the toughest era of HW boxing imo

Awesome interview with a man that boxed in era of boxing known as probably one of the best ever, just the names he mentioned says it all. I was fortunate to watch many of those fights on Wide World of Sports or Sports Spectacular on Saturday.

He regrets not having a proper manager or trainer but imo, he doesnt seem to suffer from any speech disorder or brain damage like so many of those he fought. Id choose longevity over fame any day

Thanks for this video. I didn't know anything about Mr. Caldwell, but he was there and his perspective is fresh and different than the ones that get polished by the media. I love to hear the veterans tell their war stories and history in the ring. Even the most vicious in the day can make you appreciate what it was like and you see how time has aged and mellowed them like a fine wine. These guys don't need to force anyone to respect them, they earned it. One of my favorite conversation videos was the Bowe and Holyfield one where they are kidding each other and reminiscing about their fights in the past.

Earnie Shavers didn’t need a belt to be champion. The greatest boxers in history feared his punch. Confirmed his power. That you can’t buy. You can’t pretend or achieve. That is legacy

Shavers may have been a slightly harder puncher than Foreman but, Foreman could take a punch as well as any fighter ever could.

I like Shavers delivery! Quick, slick with no wind up or long stride like some of the other guys! I admire the amount of force he could generate so quick! Loved Shavers v. Ali! That power, wow!

It's unfortunate that, even though he had a great punching power (perhaps the greatest in the boxing world), Earnie Shavers never became a boxing champion. He came close, however, into becoming one on a few occasions.

This, plus Fraser, Liston etc highlights what a great chin Ali had.

I like the guy, and I wish him much success!

Ain't it the truth: "If Jesus Christ needed a bodyguard, he should call for Earnie Shavers."

He even says Shavers hits harder than Foreman and Lyle by far. Thats scary...

Shavers may have had a harder punch, but lots of guys could beat Earnie Shavers but very few could beat George Foreman.

Both Foreman and Shavers knocked him out in 2 rounds. George did it 11 months earlier.

Ali said when Shavers hit him in round 2 his heart went cold

I hope Leroy was paid for this interview, thank you very interesting 😊

RIP LEROY. YOU WERE A HELL OF A MAN! STILL ARE! GOD BLESS YOU SIR!

Thanks for the video, THE MAYWEATHER CHANNEL

I met Ali several years ago.. I asked him who hit the hardest.. he told me.. Big Ernie..

This is a great guy I’d love to have a beer with him and hear all his stories 👍🏻

Randell Tex Cobb said Ernie Shavers hit the hardest too

“When did you know you were in trouble?” “When they took my gloves off and told me it was over😂” that is as real as it gets.

White Knight cameraman salvages interview.

Foreman kos shavers easily, foreman was the hardest of that era, as a brutal fighting man

When did you know you were in trouble?. When they were taking my globes off. I was in stitches. What a man to take a beating and truly acknowledge it 😂.

Leroy was a straight soldier he fought all those greats without a trainer image of he had support that was a crazy story..

Thing about Foreman is he had an iron jaw.. And receiving a punch from him was like being hit by a log or baseball bat...

Well done Leroy 🥊

RIP Leroy.

Its really foreman...people just have more sympathy for shavers so they just say he hits harder

Earnie Shavers big punch didnt have any effect on Jerry QUARRY and thats one of the reason Quarry was elected to the boxing hall of fame without winning a world title. SEE THE FIGHT ON YOU TUBE.

I love howe he isnt the only one comparing Shavers to a hammer hitting your toes

Let me give you jokers a wake up call as to who hit harder, bigg George ducked out on any fights with Shavers.

Fantastic Interview!!! 😃❤💯💯

Shavers had a very weak chin. Foreman had a very strong chin. That's why Foreman was a world champion and Shavers was not.

Rip Leroy you fought some serious heavyweights

What agreat story. Tough men back then

That's really disrespectful to laugh at leroy. He was in the top league with the best.

this is a guy who has balls of steel and probably had a rough path in life.. he just took whatever fights for the money... I don't think he had a fair shake in boxing.

Good to see the man still has his faculties.

Even Ali's knees wobbled when Shavers landed flush on his chin. Anybody else was down on the groumd or even unconcous

Wow. What a great interview.

I agree, Forman's doesn't look hard, he's not really drawing back and getting a full stroke out of it....but George was a big strong man! They say it's more like getting hit with a 20 lb sledge hammer. Great conversation, He's got some classics fights on his resume. Shavers was a beast also. Almost every heavy weight has the ability to put an opponent down with a few landed punches. 90%hit hard...LOL! Great stories!

RIP , Leroy!

Wow, I know this comment is SIX years late but I gotta say this man is still sharp as a pin and in great shape Lyle, Foreman and Shavers and still has faculties intact. I'd love to meet this guy what a gentleman 👏👏🥊✌️🙏

Mr Caldwell looks like he got wisdom for days, inside the ring, as well as outside of the ring...

Lucky 🍀 to be able to think straight!!! Give God the Glory Amen

Leroy's thinking to himself, "who's this moron next to me?"

The biggest fight in life is against yourself...

Imagine if these wise dignified men took their rightful place as leaders of men! the world would bow down.

I love listening to the legends

RIP Caldwell

He was a doorman over here in Liverpool

Leroy is a cool cat

Majority they say Shavers is the hardest puncher. That proves it.

Still seems to be of very sound mind for his age and coming from the fight game. He's still pretty sharp.

I hate getting hit on my toes, with a sludge hammer.

Why I can’t find that Shavers vs Leroy fight nowhere on RU-vid??

Very nice man Leroy is 🥊

A witness : earnie by far !!!

“If Jesus Christ needs a bodyguard he should call Ernie Shavers.” And there it is.

Its different tho cuz shavers hit more like a missile it was quicker and more snappier than foreman but foreman was like a truck slower but the shear mass and weight it had just like he explained, george would club his opponents till they gave up. Overall i think it goes to shavers but george is definitely the heaviest hitter thats just what i think

I like this guy - looks like he could still put a hurting on you

Who was more powerful:Shavers or Liston?

Bert sugar said it was earnie shaves who was the hardest puncher ever in boxing

Shavers won that fight against Ali. It was all rigged. Those punches destroyed Alis brain...

What a Cool Guy 🙂🙂

Yeah shack his ezz..

Seems like a cool guy. Clear..funny

Could have asked more about what lessons he learnt and what his story was, otherwise was interesting

He seems healthy that's good

The hardest hitter in boxing

That damn aircon noisy

The fellow on the left seems to think he's of some consequence: he isn't, and should conduct an interview with more dignity rather than clowning like an egomaniac who thinks the screen needs him at all.

So basically, Foreman was a bruiser and Shaver rattled your bones.

How would lenny MacLean done against these fighters.

No one can hit like foreman he is a tank

R.Maciano.

Mayweather is hilarious

Shaver was a Beast- Although Ali Defeated him/ i never seen Anybody Hit The Greatest of all time that fuckin hard...

ALI SAYS THE SAME THING

BIG CAT WILLAM WAS ALSO A BIG PUNCHER

That other black dude is funny, wish he would have spoken more!

Cool

Everyone Says Shavers. Why did Shavers not have a better career?