If Shavers had a better chin...

[nomadman]

He's missing the same things that were pointed out to me when I started a similar thread on Morrison.....defense and stamina. Without those its tough to get to the top, even with power like that.

But Morrison at least had some boxing ability, and an ability to get on his bike when he had to, as he did against Foreman. Shavers was as crude as they come, and seemed to have little to no ability to pace himself for the later rounds. He'd just throw bombs at you until you were either on the canvas, or he was sucking wind. An exaggeration, but the general pattern of his fights is shockingly similar. Whilst Morrison is built on similarly shaky foundations, I think there's more to work with there.

errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr no.

David Tua then.

[fitefanSHO]

If Shavers had a better chin, he'd have been George Foreman.

[Wild Blue Yonda]

...and stamina, I think he'd stop both Ali and Holmes. I think his stamina was ok, but not great. Against Lyle he was ahead early and dropped him, then he got bombed out in the 6th. Holmes he had hurt in the second fight but he ultimately punched himself out and was stopped late. Against Ali he was doing well, until the last couple rounds when he gassed.

However, did he possess enough skill to be a good champion and really make an impact?? Thats the question. But with his power, he didn't need to. He bombed out Norton in 1 round, even tho that was a past prime-Norton. Norton was one of the best boxers, BOXERS, of the hw division in the 70's.

He lacked a lot more than endurance & chin. However, he was definitely fatigued when he dropped Holmes so heavily, & that played a part in his inability to close the show.

Had he won the belt then & there, there would have been an immediate rematch, & Holmes would've done Shavers in as a champion instantly, IMO. Shavers wanted for many attributes, & is all-round over-rated in my view.

[DarkTerror88]

against guys with good chins/ existent defenses/heart he would always come up short. He might hit harder than say, Louis or Frazier. But he couldn't finish like they could. Honestly though i freakin love Ernie.