Howard Smith's Minutes in Hell

[Ben Bolt]

Remember reading a The Ring issue of 1976, in which they presented the future stars in the heavyweight division.

Among the prospects were hardhitter Howard “Kayo” Smith, technician Johnny Boudreaux and a guy named Larry Holmes.

The Ring heavy ratings in the beginning of 1977:
Champion: Muhammad Ali
1) George Foreman
2) Ken Norton
3) Jimmy Young
4) Duane Bobick
5) Ron Lyle
6) Larry Holmes
7) Howard Smith
8) Johnny Boudreaux
9) Stan Ward
10) Joe Bugner

Apr. 16, 1977: #6 Howard Smith vs. unranked Earnie Shavers.
Smith entered the ring with a 1976 decision win over Boudreaux.
For the record: Mike Weaver, in his debut 1972, had been stopped by Smith in three rounds.
Shavers entered the ring on a four-bout winning streak after being halted in six by Ron Lyle in 1975.

Jim Amato, Boxing Writers Association of America: “This was a much-anticipated match between two of divisions premier punchers. Who would get in the first big shot?”

TV commentary worth notice: “He’s [Earnie] been lifting weights, which most boxers don’t often do, because it tires out your muscles and makes you a slower fighter. And can result in very poor stamina.”
I can’t recall which boxer who said it .. anyway, he said: “to win against Earnie, you have to survive the first four rounds.”

[billeau2]

Remember reading a The Ring issue of 1976, in which they presented the future stars in the heavyweight division.

Among the prospects were hardhitter Howard “Kayo” Smith, technician Johnny Boudreaux and a guy named Larry Holmes.

The Ring heavy ratings in the beginning of 1977:
Champion: Muhammad Ali
1) George Foreman
2) Ken Norton
3) Jimmy Young
4) Duane Bobick
5) Ron Lyle
6) Larry Holmes
7) Howard Smith
8) Johnny Boudreaux
9) Stan Ward
10) Joe Bugner

Apr. 16, 1977: #6 Howard Smith vs. unranked Earnie Shavers.
Smith entered the ring with a 1976 decision win over Boudreaux.
For the record: Mike Weaver, in his debut 1972, had been stopped by Smith in three rounds.
Shavers entered the ring on a four-bout winning streak after being halted in six by Ron Lyle in 1975.

Jim Amato, Boxing Writers Association of America: “This was a much-anticipated match between two of divisions premier punchers. Who would get in the first big shot?”

TV commentary worth notice: “He’s [Earnie] been lifting weights, which most boxers don’t often do, because it tires out your muscles and makes you a slower fighter. And can result in very poor stamina.”
I can’t recall which boxer who said it .. anyway, he said: “to win against Earnie, you have to survive the first four rounds.”

A real gem

[soul_survivor]

Man Shavers was slow, so so so slow but if he caught you good, you were out. Rare to see power like that.

[Ray Corso]

Ernie wasn't exactly Ali fast but he wasn't as slow as the 1977 film speed your looking at. The shutter speed on older film will not be up to actual speed of the live action. That's what happens when people think Joe Louis was slow of foot, he wasn't Willie Pep but he was a quick short stepper that looks very slow when viewing the speed that the film was shot at back in the day!
I worked with Shavers in the early 80s and after 3 rounds of pads I thought both my palms and a few fingers were broken! I've held pads for Tyson and a fellow named Kenny Schmidt who were very hard hitters but Ernie takes the prize. That guy could whack!!! He could hook underneath then bring the right hand "out & around" looping style and he had everything behind it.
Very powerful man.
Ray.

[TBear]

77' was an interesting time. The Ring was under scrutiny for faking records for Don Kings tournament. When I seen this thread I looked for some of my Ring ****zines from 76' to 77' but couldn't find them. Too bad because I want to scan some articles and rankings to give an idea of what was going on.

[ecto55]

Ernie wasn't exactly Ali fast but he wasn't as slow as the 1977 film speed your looking at. The shutter speed on older film will not be up to actual speed of the live action. That's what happens when people think Joe Louis was slow of foot, he wasn't Willie Pep but he was a quick short stepper that looks very slow when viewing the speed that the film was shot at back in the day!
I worked with Shavers in the early 80s and after 3 rounds of pads I thought both my palms and a few fingers were broken! I've held pads for Tyson and a fellow named Kenny Schmidt who were very hard hitters but Ernie takes the prize. That guy could whack!!! He could hook underneath then bring the right hand "out & around" looping style and he had everything behind it.
Very powerful man.
Ray.

Great stuff - very interisting to hear your thoughts on Shavers power.