Earnie Shavers Documentary - Boxing's Legendary KO Artist 

I met Earnie when he lived in the UK for a short while. Hes worked as a doorman on a Club Called Yates in Liverpool. I remember he had huge hands probably the biggest iv ever seen ! I asked him about punch power to which he replied " Get yourself a good ole Axe and just chop Wooood " One of the nicest people i have ever met 👊

Boxers back in the old days were monsters.

Just found out that Earnie passed away today so had to watch this again. RIP Earnie

Earnie Shavers = The Single Hardest Hitting Human Being of All Time.........with a heart to match. R.I.P Champ!

I knew Earnie from around the gyms in the Akron Canton area back in the 70's. Earnie is the nicest guy you ever met I spared with him once. I was a super welterweight at the time and Earnie was just fooling around hitting with an open glove but when he hit you you got that sinking feeling and you could feel it in your toes. Earnie was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet.

Earnie Shavers was a dangerous heavyweight.

We will keep watching your fights for ages. You will always be recognized as the hardest puncher ever…Rest in power legend

Eleven people said Earnie Shavers hit the hardest, that includes Ali, Holmes, Lyle, Cobb, Tilis, Norton, Young, Polite, Caldwell, Bugner and Stander. You know a man can bang when there is eleven quotes about him.

I can’t believe anyone would talk about Earnie as a “less than elite” boxer. He was a dinosaur amongst young men who’d trained since they were children. Not to mention he threw his soul into any and every punch. He’s my favorite boxer, not because of his record, but because of how much heart existed within him.

I watched Holmes vs. Shavers 2 I still to this day can’t believe Holmes got up in the 7th 🤔 UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Two Warriors

My favorite heavyweight to have never won a championship. Saw him fight in person back when he had his hair (he won). Got his autograph after the Ali fight. A very gracious, modest and classy guy. 5 stars and two thumbs up on this Rich. Excellent episode!

Dude could hit harder than a pack of mules. He was a competently good fighter who had the misfortune of fighting in an era of Heavyweight Boxing GOATS. Rest in Peace Ernie and know that your name will never be forgotten by boxing afficionados worldwide.

I was his Driver for the day. He was such an Amazing man. So kind and honest. God Bless ya Earnie.

Both Frazier and Foreman somehow never stepped in the ring against him. Great Doc Rich.

Earnie Shavers record 74 wins 68 ko's George Foreman 76 wins 68 ko's but do the quality of opponents being Ko'd matter? If so I'd have to give a slight edge to Foreman .

I think Shavers had a bit more skill than people give him credit for, as can be seen in the first round of his fight Quarry (although he got knocked out). If issues regarding his stamina, his ability to clinch rather than stay still during a beating, and to an extent his ability to box, I'm sure he could have been Heavyweight Champion. Another issue seemed the only thing he was told at times was to throw his right hoping it landed, and if he couldn't land it or the fighter took it well, he was usually out of luck. Great fighter though with electrifying knockouts in an amazing Era, great video as usual Rich.

RIP Earnie Shavers the greatest heavyweight puncher of the golden age

Thanks for everything Earnie. You were a vital boxer in one of the golden eras.

Shavers was a beast in the ring and a gentleman outside. Legend ❤️

I don't know how Larry Holmes got up from that power shot , absolutely insane !!

Saw him signing autographs in Vegas about 11/12 years ago, massive hands, polite man.

Great in depth documentary of one of the great punchers. The poignance of seeing Jerry Quarry as a fine commentator has to be acknowledged. Thanks for another gem.

It was a pleasure to have you here with us for as long as you were and to see you shine. It was an even greater honor to be related to you. You were my dad's favorite big cousin and he still talks about how happy it made him when people announced that he was your little cousin while he boxed in the Navy. Grandma Bessie talked about her nephew who fought Muhammed Ali with a smile, and the picture that you autographed for Aunt Harriet still hangs on her wall in Old Town, Florida. I'm hoping that they still have the family reunion in Alabama next year. I was too young to remember them, but Auntie Joyce Ann, Aunt Ethel Mae, and my daddy (Carl) talk about them all the time. You gave your life and time to God and now heaven is your home. Tell Grandma Bessie, Granddaddy Ralph, Uncle Earl (my daddy's twin), Aunt Harriet, and all of the family that have transitioned that I said hello and that I love and miss you all. Even the ones like Great grandma and great Granddaddy ( you and my dad's grandparents. Grandma Bessie and your mom 's parents), It is an extreme honor and a privilege to descend from the same lineage as you and call you my big cousin. Our whole family from Garland, Alabama where it all started; to Ohio where you all were taken after my uncle (your father) was threatened with being lynched; to Florida where Grandma Bessie moved and started a family after meeting and marrying Granddaddy Ralph both mourn and celebrate you. I can't make the celebration of your life because I'm away trying to make a way for my wife and two daughters. The youngest one is definitely your little cousin. She's always trying to fight her sister and she might hit as hard as you one day. Lol. I love you cuz. Rest in Peace. You deserve heaven as much as anyone possibly could.

I used to see Earnie most weekends at Yates in Liverpool UK. Always shook (completely encased) my hand when I entered. Such a humble friendly man. Only later did i see footage of his ferocious power. It made me love him even more. I hope hes doing well.

What a punch!!! 16:23 My God. I bet Larry Holmes saw the shadow realm in a way he never imagined. What a clean shot. Everything was perfect. The timing, the footing, opponents position, throwing of the hips to get maximum torque. What a thing of beauty!

This is another excellent video! Nobody hit like him. He didn't have great stamina partly because he put every thing he had into all his punches. So if he didn't knock you out,you stood a chance in the late rounds. I loved watching him because I knew he could finish any with that kind of power. I believe that he is one of the reasons for Ali's post career illness. Those punches he landed on Ali were some of the most explosive I have ever seen. Thanks again Rich!

Thanks for making a video of a more well known boxer and a force to be reckoned with from either fist. Glad he found peace from his troubles after retirement. Thanks for sharing!

Leroy Caldwell fought Foreman, Shavers and Lyle. Claimed Shavers was the hardest puncher out of all three. He said getting hit by Earnie was like getting hit on every toe with a sledgehammer. Hardest puncher ever IMO. Great video Rich!!!

A lot of folk say that he only KO´d small guys and barely ever KO´d anyone good. So his power is overrated. I love Shavers, but the only reason he even competed with Ali or Holmes was because of his power. But if Ali and others give him such high praise, I disagree with those fans who say otherwise. He truly was one of THE hardest punchers to ever step in the ring.

Working as a doorman in Liverpool, very humble respectful man. Dangerous as they come but such a warm nice person. Don't make them like Ernie anymore.

To have Ali say that his punch shook his ancestors in Africa says enough of his incredible punching power. His flaw? he ran out of gas often in the deep rounds which led to losses.

I graduated with Earnie from Newton Falls High School in 1963. Earnie was an easy going guy. He had a good sense of humor. Just a real nice guy. But the bad boys in the school never messed with him. Hi Earnie. I hope all is OK with you. God Speed! Cheers! Ed Althouse!

I had the pleasure of meeting Earnie when he was in Rochester being Honored in the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame...a true Champion and a real gentleman!

A video of legendary journeyman Marion Wilson would be awesome. A man never flored despite fighting so many of the heavy hitters of the 90s

A gentle giant. I'm glad he's found his way in life. X

Foreman vs Shavers would have been a classic 🤔

I forgot what brutal power Earnie had I bet his opponents never did R.I.P. Earnie

3:04 That cocking of the arm before the punch was like aiming a loaded weapon. Then POW, Jimmy Ellis doesn't know where he is. Earnie Shavers was a sight to behold.

Me lived in moreton on the Wirral for a time and always took time to talk to people , what a guy 🙌🏻🥊

Its incredible how Rich can put out so many videos so quickly

Thanks! I've been waiting for this one!

Just learned Earnie Shavers has died. May he rest in peace!

Earnie Shavers PRO record: 74-14-1, KO's 68. / 7 of the losses ended by a KO. # 2-time World Heavyweight Title Challanger; 1977 UD loss to Ali & 1979 TKO 11 loss to Holmes. # Nevada State Heavyweight Champion: 1971. # Fought against 5 world champions: Mohammad Ali, Larry Holmes x2, Ken Norton, Jimmy Ellis & Vicente Rondon. + numerous top contenders; Jimmy Young x2, Jerry Quarry, Randall Cobb, Joe Bugner, James Tillis, Bernardo Mercado, Roy "Tiger" Williams etc.

As a boxing fan I'm afraid to say that I've never heard of him. But I have now 🇬🇧🇯🇲👍

Prior to the fight with Larry Holmes network showed Ernie's family life and his kids. My wife at the time was so hyped up hoping Ernie would win she jumped up out of chair when he knocked down Larry.

Earni Shavers was a boxing legend - I loved him as a kid watching his fights on TV. I wish I had met him and will always regret that I never did.

The acorn was a bad man. Would’ve loved to see him vs Foreman back in the day

Rest in peace to one of the best of the 70's Earnie Shavers!

An absolute LEGEND

I’d love to travel thru time dropping these greats 😌

Earnie Shavers Deemed The One Of The Hardest If Not The Hardest Hitting Puncher Of All Time🥊👊🏾

Ernie Shavers Tiger Williams fight and the Howard Smith footage is incredible. Great video. Real special. Thanks man.

I remember watching that Roy "Tiger" Williams fight live. I'd never heard of Shavers until that fight, but became a huge fan as the result of his comeback win in the 10th round. I think CBS thought the fight would not go the distance, because they didn't leave any time in the broadcast to interview the winner afterward. The first 8 rounds were pretty dull, but the last two were very exciting. Shavers couldn't get past Williams defense, though Williams didn't do much himself that whole stretch. I think his strategy was to wait until Shavers got arm weary, then knock him out. Didn't quite work out. That was the first time I had ever seen someone walk away from a standing 8 count, THEN fall over. Shavers always gave people their money's worth.

It's funny how strong and powerful Shaver's punches were and yet he is one of the nicest dudes ever.

4:27 It looks like the left hook Quarry threw seen here caught Shavers on the side of his head and shook him up. That was it. Earnie did that to other boxers so many times, all throughout his career as a boxer. Very exciting fighter, Earnie Shavers. He beat the hell out of many, many heavyweights.

Thanks for posting this.

Look so forward to your videos,keep up the fantastic work

I love these. Thanks so much for your work.

Another gem Rich..As much as I love great technique in boxing you just have to have big punches in the sport to make it exciting. That’s why you need these type of boxers like shavers (And natural punches are rare) so the casual fans get interested because it’s them that really bring the Money in. Shavers and Julian Jackson are blessed with all out natural punching power, and that’s why for all his faults I like Wilder. It wouldn’t surprise me if Wilder was to ever fight Usyk Wilder would knock him out. He wouldn’t out box Usyk of coarse but a puncher would always have that chance. Ernie Shavers and Julian Jackson are the prime example of this.

R.I.P Earnie Shavers 🕊🌹

I swear, I love this channel just as much as I love any classic and iconic film...

I don't know where the hell you're getting so many great old clips but these are fantastic. Yes, it seems like a grand consensus among the HWs who knew - Shavers is the hardest punching HW ever. I still cannot believe Larry Holmes got up from that shot yikes!!

Earnie told me he often used a 12lb Axe to chop wood.. day in day out then Row boats out on the lake to develop his power.

I just wanted to stop by and say much Thanks & Respect for whomever is part of the production team behind this Channels Content. I want too wish you all Happy Holidays and once again thanks for sharing these gems with us, I'm hoping for much success for all of your endeavors, your providing just a few minutes of joy with these videos during a Holiday Season that doesn't quite seem to joyful to most I know, just the past few years have been a hard adjustment on the majority of the people I know. I'm sure it's like that all Over, but Thank You

Excellent videos as always!!

Great video. Looked yo watch Shavers fight. Rest in peace CHAMP

Absolutely wonderful Documentary! Exemplary work ! Merry Christmas!

Great work!!!! You just keep out-doing yourself. Awesome. Thanks

I met dude n he was so humbled

Excellent documentary. Thanks again for the great work.

That was fantastic buddy. He fought them all & one of the few to fight & go the distance with Ali & Holmes. He will always be remembered as one of the biggest punchers in history. Really enjoyable content. Props to you for the great editing & narration. Bless up bro 👊

Eig's study, conducted by Arizona State speech scientists Visar Berisha and Julie Liss found that Ali's speech slowed by 16 percent after a 15-round bout with Ernie Shavers in 1977. Shavers, a brawler, landed 266 punches throughout the fight. If one fight had to be picked, Ernie Shavers inflicted the most damage.

I had a chance to meet Shavers in las vegas. Very nice guy.

Excellent documentation keep it up

These are really great documentaries. Terrific work!

Thanks Richard, great content

This was the glory days of boxing, shavers would try to go through you when he hit u....powerful puncher.

Shavers hit Bernardo Mercado so hard that his Glove imploded in the 3rd round .. I think shavers best win was against Ken Norton & I agree with shavers when he said that Norton feared Big punchers look what Foreman and Cooney did to Norton.. Don’t get me wrong Kenny Norton was a hell of a fighter.

I love all your videos..you are as good at posting as the fighters themselves..keep it up my friend

hoping for this one. Thank you!!

16:25 I don't know how on EARTH Holmes got up from THAT SHOT. DEVISTATING RIGHT 👍.

R.I.P. Earnie Shavers. 🌹 🙏

Randall (Tex) Cobb: "Nobody hits like Shavers. If anybody hit harder than Shavers, I'd shoot him. ... Earnie could punch you in the neck with his right hand and break your ankle." After retiring from boxing, Shavers became an ordained Christian minister and moved to England to pastor his own church.

Shavers was such a savage puncher it's amazing that he never captured the heavyweight title...

Love and respect to you for creating this Channel

A great compilation of a great fighter.

I loved Earnie and what a nice and wonderful, gentle man...so much the opposite of his persona in the ring. It's too bad his stamina always betrayed him. I've never seen a fighter like Shavers get so exhausted so suddenly. He'd throw a flurry of hard punches and then back off to the ropes so he could stand up! Always gave everything he had and was always dangerous.

3:15 ...I didn't know of this man but seeing him lift Jimmy Ellis off of his feet in a post win hug was pretty awesome!

I would love to see his bout against Ron Stander. Earnie did provide, win or lose, thrills.

I love Earnie Shavers! One of my all time favourite boxers!

Praise God! For Earnie's come back... As a man of God.

Ah yes! I actually know this fighter! Well know "of him". What a KO artist. He was well respected among boxers as a power puncher! Great work Rich! Loved this!

Ernie Shavers God Bless/Rest Your Soul R. I. P. 🙏🌹

Anothe brilliant doco by RTFH Merry Christmas bud 🥊🥊💥💥🥊🥊

RIP September 2022. A legend in the ring , a much respected gentleman and person out of it . A class act who gave it all win or lose . Thank you mr shavers 😔.

I remember being in liverpool 🇬🇧 tying to get in the bar as 4 guys were seriously getting aggressive towards the old doorman who didn't want them in.... I gave up queuing walked away looked back 2mins later all 4 were asleep...... what a privilege it must of been when they found out who they got slapped by the one and only ES.....Great vid!!

One of the best channels on youtube. Always presenting awesome stuff. Have you thought about doing a series on the Murderer's Row? It remains one of the most fascinating boxing stories of all time. Numerous black middleweights, all ducked for major titles. All timers, all fighting eachother, 62 times in total.

Hey just wanted to say i love your content fam. These documentaries on fighters is really cool to see. Was wondering if you could do one on Chris Byrd or Kirkland Laing

What a great channel!

One of my favourites all time.