One thing Holmes could do was get off the canvass! He got hit by a few guys and always got up.....well.....except for Tyson, but Holmes was washed up by then. Larry Holmes, one of the most underrated Champions in history. He spoke ill of Marciano(who was dead) that is why he was villified by the boxing community on the whole.
Shavers hit Holmes hard, but nothing compares to what Tyson did to him. Granted, Holmes was a lot older by then, but he still looked to be about as good as he ever was. Holmes simply had never faced a hard puncher like Tyson who also threw devastating combinations with blinding speed and accuracy, so that's all there was to it.
@mdmcdd1117 And if Holmes had just fought 6 months prior, then what? You think the outcome would have been any different? Hardly. Holmes simply had never faced that kind of an assault and he folded like a deck of cards. Spinks, who had just beaten Holmes twice, folded in much the same way only worse. No amount of preparation or training would have changed the outcome of either of those fights.
@geert574 Holmes would have crushed Tyson in his prime. Tyson could not handle a great skilled boxer like Holmes, Ali, etc. He proved it when he got KOed in Tokoyo AND again against Holyfield .His defense against Holyfield was to bite and then quit!!
It's too bad Shavers had no clue how to finish someone off. All he had to do was land some leather on Holmes and go hard to the body. Holmes would of been finished but he went head hunting so he missed everything. It was still amazing how Holmes was able to regain consciousness though.
Even though Larry got up, this has to be one of the hardest single punches in boxing history. ALL of Shavers power, flush to the face in one huge shot. The sound alone is wicked brutal. Larry also said it's the only time in his career he was "out", and hiting to the canvas jolted him back just enough to get up.
I can only think of a handful of fighters in boxing history who could have withstood such a shot.
@ferrarimike23 Not to mention, Jerry Quarry had knocked out Shavers in the first round. If Quarry could do it, there's no question that Tyson would have.
Davey Pearl said that Holmes was so clever. Holmes wouldn't let Pearl look at his eyes. Pearl said if he could've seen them he would've stopped the fight because they were glassier than hell.
Damn! Damn!Damn! THAT'S HOW YOU THROW A FUCKING RIGHT HAND! I Hate Larry Holmes, but don't tell me that bastard can't take a punch. That right hand would've killed anyone else back then besides Ali! That's why Ali is so GREAT in my opinion. He fought a YOUNGER Earnie Shavers (4 years before this fight) and got hit by some BOMBS of a right hand in round 2 and NEVER WENT DOWN! DAMN, I miss this era of Heavyweights!!!!!
@bangitslo Whineing little bitch boy. Makes me chuckle. Oh,.. and can you respond without saying "fuck? Hee hee. I piss you off don't I. Of course I do. Simple minds are easy to make respond in anger. So,.. here is your moment,.. Embarrass yourself as we know you will do. Tappy-tap on that keyboard and prove me correct. ;D
@FuckAvailabilityHard Tyson had exactly all the same qualities you just explained. Yet,.. he did become H.C.O.T.W. And if the pressure Ernie faced in his biggest fights had come to Tyson. (As we later did see) He could not have handled it. Ernie would have had a Tyson dinner.
BTW Nice original name. Think that up all alone? Are you 16 or so? If I was an idiot like you, I'd still at least have come up with some creative spelling such as: Ima Phuckin Phool. (With a keyboard) LOL! Cya kid.
@Ghstwn Nonsense. If Jerry Quarry could knock out Shavers in the first round, there's no question that Tyson would have done the same. Tyson was everything Quarry was and a hundred things he never could be.
No reason to stop the fight although holmes would have probably kayoed him the ref would not take any chances.Peanut head cracks the acorn.Great 70's boxing.THOSE WERE THE GOLDEN ALBIET CORRUPT days
Shavers is a sloppy boxer and brawler. He does not pocess speed, skill, accuracy, a solid chin, stamina, and not even decent heart. Yet was ducked by many great fighters and 2:18 is the reason.
Not too many fighters living or dead that could get up after that punch much less fight on & win.Larry Holmes one of the true all time greats. It's too bad Ali didn't fight Larry in 1977 instead of that bum Leon Spinks. Still think Ali threw that 1st fight intentionally knowing that re-capturing the heavyweight title from Spinks would be a helluva lot easier than from a #1 ranked Ken Norton. That's why the WBC stripped Spinks of the title for not fighting Norton (he would've destroyed Spinks).
The knockdown punch doesn't need to be seen....you can just hear it and know. It sounded like someone taking a baseball bat to a leather chair. Had he connected with that wild ass punch with :25 left he would've put Holmes' head through the floor. Holmes had heart, man. No fighter today would've even gotten up from a sledgehammer shot like that. Too bad Earnie lost his cool and fought like an ape after the knockdown.
Contrast this fight, to 2 years earlier when Shavers hit Ali with the same bombs and Ali withstood them. Ali was 35 at the time. Holmes is 29 here. Anyway I love both Ali and Holmes (well, NOT Holmes-nobody loves Larry) They're 2 of the Greatest Heavyweights ever. Along with Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, and the highly disrepected and underated Gene "The Original Dancing Master" Tunney.
Can somebody tell me why the hell the ref stopped it at 6 ;44? anyways holmes had such great combos for a heavyweight and shavers what a beast with power good vid champ
You don't stop a fight at the moment this one was stopped! Nobody was out on their feet! I remember this and I remember realizing that my favorite sport was fixed! Frankly I'm surprised it wasn't Richard Steele as ref because that guy was so far up Don King's back pocket I'm amazed he could even breathe for the stench! Earnie Shavers got robbed against Ali (and Ali is a hero of mine) but fair is fair. I count Shavers as a former heavyweight champ and to hell with fixed history!
Hard hit but if Larry holmes cut get up from that i dont belive it was that hard cus alot of guys hit and it Sounds hard but its just a normal puch .. Foeman is alot stronger ten Shaves
@BunBRIP Seeing as how Larry Holmes was one of the greatest fighters who ever lived in ANY division, and had one of the best chins in heavyweight history, I would say that was about as devastating a punch as I have ever seen. Holmes said Shavers was the hardest puncher he ever faced...as did Ali, Lyle, Young etc....You are blocked for spamming and just being a overall pain in the ass.
@XionComrade Your right man. everyone who fought Earnie Shavers, including Muhammad Ali said he was the hardest puncher ever faced by them. That punch would have taken some peoples head off man. Great conditioning and chin to come back from that. Great two fights these two had and i wish heavyweight division was that way now.
@BunBRIP Try learning spell check, then post later. ;) Figuring out what illiterates are typing is simply not worth the our time to read. ewe git mie pouient? ;)
@BunBRIP Try learning spell check, then post later. ;) Figuring out what illiterates are typing is simply not worth the our time to read. ewe git mie pouient? ;) You have no clue on that one do you. LOL!
Remember seeing this fight at the time on telly; the greatest ever comeback in a boxing ring. Larry Holmes has to be the most underrated of all heavyweight champions; an all-time great who I'd say is second only to a prime (1964-66) Muhammad Ali, and arguably also James Buster Douglas in his one off performance against Mike Tyson.
Jerry Quarry took Shaver's bombs and then knocked him out in round one, Ron Stander also took Shaver's best and knocked him out. Shavers had a little glass in his jaw and Foreman would KO him early too, no disrespect to Shavers.
@Peter9761 Damn, I know what you mean. That was one HELLACIOUS right hand! I give Holmes ALL the credit in the world to get up from a punch like that! Same thing when Ali got hit with that left hook by Frazier back in '71. Man those guys were champs! It wasn't about money, or drug testing or anything, it was about Sport! Miss those days!
I don't hink there is another heayweight in history who could've taken THAT punch and gotten up!!! Ali, Holmes and Holyfield had some great chins. Did you hear the "crack" of that punch?
@crashburnerz George Chuvalo would have been gone before the bell sounded though, TKO, no way he would recover. Didn't recover from a Foreman sledge hammer, wont recover from a Earnie Shavers bunker buster.
@crashburnerz George Chuvalo and maybe Jerry Quarry, too. I forgot about those granite chinned warriors...Chuck Wepner, as well...Maybe I'm pushing it!!! Thanx...
Ray Mercer and Oliver McCall have some steel chins too, and David Tua. But Chuvalo is the most impressive, as he took beatings from some of the biggest punchers in history, Foreman, Frazier, Patterson etc. If theres anyone who could have taken Shavers' bombs that's him
@crashburnerz Shavers main problem was his stamina and he couldn't take what he dished out. You think either of the Klitschkos could have taken a punch from Shavers?
about the Klitchkos, Vitali is known for his solid chin, he's never been knocked down. mind you, he's never been tested against punchers of the caliber of Foreman and Shavers so its hard to tell
Wlad on the other hand, would go down like a sack of potatoes
the best chin title belongs to the guy who took bomb after bomb from some of the hardest punchers in history (Foreman, Frazier, Williams, Bonavena etc) and never went down and that's Chuvalo
@crashburnerz He had a good chin somewhat .. but LaMotta never off his feet ( just like movie Raging Bull portrayed) he was only a middleweight but fought the best of his era and many were heavy hitters...Cerdan, Ray Robinson, etc Jake was also rated the best chin in Ring magazine and they know their shit...
Chuvalo never off his feet either, and he fought in the Heavyweight division. You cant possibly compare the level of power in middleweight to heavyweight, specially when you take into account a monster punchers like Foreman and Frazier. Foreman probably had more power in his jab that any of Lamotta's rivals had in their right cross
@crashburnerz Agreed that for Heavyweights..Tyson,Foreman,Shavers,Ruddick all great power punchers for that division. A no brainer that any Heavyweight can out punch a middleweight, but Heavyweights fight other Heavyweights. Had Walker Smith ( aka. Mr. Sugar Ray Robinson) been a Heavyweight LaMotta's chin could have taken it. If Forman and company were middle weights they would have had a tough time gettin The Bronx Bull off his feet.
Holmes had a lot of heart after getting floored in the 7th round. And for him to comeback and box the way he did, it would explain why he was a champion for so long. He had an outstanding jab.
Ernie was out of steam of steam after the knock down.Holmes was ready to go for sure.He was rocked hard.Shavers was a bit out of gas after knock down and couldnt finish Holmes and it was too near the end of the round,which saved Holmes.Had this not been the case...Shavers would have taken the title
Have to give credit to Larry Holmes. Earnie Shavers was one of the 3-4 greatest ALL-TIME one punch punchers in heavyweight history and he CRUNCHED Holmes with his money shot...that right hand. And Holmes got up. Unreal. Especially when you contrast it to the asswhoopin' Shavers laid on Ken Norton during this same time frame
I think I heard Joe Frazier say that even a little man can knock you down if he hits you on the button. Magnify that times ten with Shavers. Makes you wonder how Ali survived his fight with the "Acorn".
@romienomie It's funny that you brought up the Ali fight. Shavers said he thought Ali was clowning. I saw how he staggered from that right. Had he not grabbed the top rope, Ali would have gone down on his rump.
One of the most devastating shots in boxing history and Holmes got up to win. The man showed Ali-like resiliency and courage. Shavers might have finished him if he had stayed patient and didn't get wild. He eventually tired himself out. The great champs like Holmes know how to dig down deep to muster up that needed strength.
There is nothing great about you XionComrade!!! Your an asshole Dustin! Your such a bullshit in this world that I wish you were never born. You even put your SHITTY ASS words in Boxing forums!I guess killing you and cutting your head would satisfy me.
Holmes was all business preparing for fight. I saw him in the pavilion behind caesars palace in 1980 i think....coming out from his dressing room to go spar..I asked to take his pic as he walked by..he gave me a cold stare and said.. ' I'm working now. Wait til I get thru'' and so I did...as he walked back by me later I asked again...and he stopped and posed for a picture nice as could be.
There is no doubt Holmes would take Tyson in his prime since he battled him well at his old age. In his prime, forget about it. Tyson was all fear factor. That's it. Not a good boxer at all. Bonecrusher, I'll give you, but Holmes beat bonecrusher.
@m0neymayweather Holmes later said that if Shavers didn't hit so hard he would have been knocked out. He said he was hit so hard that he was KO'd but he saw a flash and a bolt of electricity through his brain woke him up again.
A lot has to be said about Holmes getting up from that shot from Shavers. The casual fan of boxing doesn't know that Shavers is widely recognized as the hardest hitter in boxing history. Larry said he hit way harder than Tyson.
Larry had a good chin, a big heart and a lot of pride. That's how he not only got up at four, but fought back and won the fight.
Eloquently put mongoose704 just don't yam my chicken'...but seriously and to point, Larry hurt my feelings as a youth and I could never quite get over my prejudice, He was in fact schooled by Mohamed Ali, my main man. He also beat up Ali pretty bad and that their is a hard fact of life for a youth to swallow.
Mike Tyson scared Larry! Fear was written all over his face! Skill,strength, & courage all his, but no character in the ring. expected a better show from him against Mike,
Don King had trouble landing opponents for Tyson so he approached Larry with a large number for a payday and a low number for the time until the fight. Larry had little time to prepare coming off of a three year layoff, If Larry had three or four fights to prepare, he would have given Tyson a damn good fight (and Larry did fight admirably for the first three rounds.) Larry got up from the first two knockdowns and was asking to continue after the third. Larry takes him in his prime though!
@pharcelle1 are you kidding? He did Better than everyone else against Tyson(up until Buster). Both in their prime, Holmes would destroy Tyson, perhaps the most overrated boxer in history. Tyson mostly beat tomato cans. He didn't fight in the Holmes, Ali, Frazier era.
@Mrstones regardless of what you think about Mike Tyson's opponents, one thing was evident and that was the "Fear factor". Mike proved later on that he could be an animal in the ring. This was not a myth Mike would win the mind battle every time.
Ali, never showed his fear, and in doing so, beat men like Mike before even stepping in the ring. As skilled as Holmes was their remains a big doubt as to whether he(In his prime) could take Mike Tyson.
But Tyson never hit anywhere near as hard as Shavers, so whats your point? Holmes chin was granite in his prime, when he was KO'd against Tyson his resistance was dying. Holems would have destroyed Tyson when he was younger.
Holmes was unconcious, arm stiff, yet he still got up!! It is something Tyson and most heavyweights could never do. Holmes recovered like no other fighter I have seen before him. A true legend!
Yes you are so right.All of these 70 fighters face adversity very well.Even Earnie Shavers ,just look at his fight against Big Cat Williams.Tyson never came back or faced adversity once he took is fall!
I personally am more partial to Sugar Ray Robinson. I was viewing his fights. Tommy Morrison had great knockout power in the left, but Sugar Ray Robinson actually killed Doyle with one. Sugar Ray Robinson was deadly with both hands, and speed to go with it.
Don't want to get too carried away though. I just watch boxing for entertainment. Don't want to see someone get killed over it.
Holmes was not afraid of Shavers (considered the hardest puncher by some), but Holmes was afraid of Tyson. I personally think Tyson hit harder. Shavers also had too much of a one-handed attack. Big flailing right hand. Just hardly anything in the left (compared to Holmes...great jab).
I personally think Lennox Lewis was one of the best. He KO'd so many opponents with that right hand. I think he is one of the few that could have beaten Tyson in Tyson's prime.
Holmes was afraid because he hadn't fought in nearly three years and barely had over a month to train. Larry needed money, Don King came to his door and offered him a quick fight date and a big pay day. Holmes took the money. However after a few more fights, Larry was in fine shape and his timing was on, good enough to beat an undefeated, young Ray Mercer.
Holmes on his old discussion forum stated several times that Shavers hit harder than Tyson.
@robertslistening Hey Rob I hear you.But Tyson was well schooled thru out his teen years by Cus since he was 15.He knew how to get the most out of his punching power by using upper body movement and using his shoulders.He had technique. This something Shavers did not have or was ever taught.He punched so hard he figured he did not need this I guess Holmes said Tyson was the Sharper puncher but Shavers was in a League all by himself when it came to power. He felt it to the Bone he says!!
Right on. He said Tyson hits like a corvette, Shavers hits like a truck. Tyson was a knockout artist because he could throw punches in bunches from any angle so you likely didn't see a Tyson shot coming.
Absolutely. Larry had amazing recuperative powers. He took so many huge shots vs Tyson and he still got up. Even the knockdown that ended the fight Holmes was begging the ref to let him get up and keep fighting.
He said getting hit by Tyson was like getting hit by a Corvette.
Getting hit by Shavers was like getting hit by a truck going the same speed. On his website he has unambiguously declared Shavers was the hardest hitter he ever faced.
Larry Holmes said the actual punch knocked him out, but when he hit the floor, it brought him back to his senses. Say what you will, but Larry Holmes was a MAN!!! Shavers was no windbag either now. He just couldn't take what he dished out.
I like the rock paper scissors analogy regarding heavyweight boxing: Boxer (outfighter) beats the Brawler. The Brawler beats the Swarmer (pressure fighter.) The Swarmer beats the Boxer.
That punch used to be on the opening credits to World of Sport with good ole Dickie Davies. The hardest punch of that era and Holmes amazingly managed to recover and Ernie just missed the chance with wild swings and tired himself out (unless he was due a big bonus for NOT knocking Holmes out - this was the 70s - 80s golden age of Dodgy fights after all;-)
I still will never understand how Holmes got up so easily from that punch. If he hadn't, it would have probably gone down in history as the hardest punch ever thrown.
Holmes had tremendous heart and courage. I saw him fight on television cant remember who against, but it was live and at the end of his career, and he punched to the final bell in a furious exchange... then turned to walk back to his corner having finished the fight, with puke spewing from out his mouth. He was a warrior-boxer.
shavers couldn't throw any more pounches totally exhausted. here's a tip earny train longer on the speed bag, heavy bag and sparring sessions. you and your trainners blew it you could have been world champion even if only for a little while.
Taking a punch like that from Shavers proves what an iron jaw Holmes had. I doubt anyone else would have survived that except maybe Ali. To get up and win the fight says a lot about how great he was. Bravo Holmes!!
Shavers was a murderous puncher! Only the very slick boxers (like Ali/Holmes) or good power-punchers (like Lyle) were able to be him in his prime Mid-late 70s. Arguably the hardest one-shot puncher in the heavyweights. How Holmes got up from that detonating right hand in the 7th, only GOD knows. Apart from Ali, all other heavyweights would be KO'd from such a punch in the middle-late rounds of the fight. Ali & Holmes were great boxers, not only bcoz of sublime skills but ability to absorb LICKS!
went from the silent audio of shavers lyle with my earphones in, to this, and nearly blew my eardrums out
DrShittyBottomHammer 3 months ago
Comment removed
DrShittyBottomHammer 3 months ago
Wow....Larry must have had one helluva chin to have gotten up from that sledgehammer...
vgr112261 3 months ago
One thing Holmes could do was get off the canvass! He got hit by a few guys and always got up.....well.....except for Tyson, but Holmes was washed up by then. Larry Holmes, one of the most underrated Champions in history. He spoke ill of Marciano(who was dead) that is why he was villified by the boxing community on the whole.
nagone11 4 months ago
Shavers hit Holmes hard, but nothing compares to what Tyson did to him. Granted, Holmes was a lot older by then, but he still looked to be about as good as he ever was. Holmes simply had never faced a hard puncher like Tyson who also threw devastating combinations with blinding speed and accuracy, so that's all there was to it.
LedWhisky69 6 months ago
@LedWhisky69
Holmes was far from his best against Tyson. Holmes had been off almost two years.
mdmcdd1117 6 months ago
@mdmcdd1117 And if Holmes had just fought 6 months prior, then what? You think the outcome would have been any different? Hardly. Holmes simply had never faced that kind of an assault and he folded like a deck of cards. Spinks, who had just beaten Holmes twice, folded in much the same way only worse. No amount of preparation or training would have changed the outcome of either of those fights.
LedWhisky69 6 months ago
Good job Larry!
geert574 6 months ago
@geert574 Holmes would have crushed Tyson in his prime. Tyson could not handle a great skilled boxer like Holmes, Ali, etc. He proved it when he got KOed in Tokoyo AND again against Holyfield .His defense against Holyfield was to bite and then quit!!
TheCaptbob1 3 months ago
It's too bad Shavers had no clue how to finish someone off. All he had to do was land some leather on Holmes and go hard to the body. Holmes would of been finished but he went head hunting so he missed everything. It was still amazing how Holmes was able to regain consciousness though.
timberwolves100 6 months ago
Amazing effort by Holmes to get up and come back after that life-ending right hand. That punch almost broke my computer,
FSMNoodlyAppendage 7 months ago
THE ONLY THING ERNIE DIDNT HAVE WAS STAMINA.....OR OTHER WISE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHAMP!!!! HE DID HAVE THE PUNCH
09bnunez 8 months ago
The golden age of heavyweights,with commentary from the only announcer who could do justice to the greatness of the event.
owadave 9 months ago
Even though Larry got up, this has to be one of the hardest single punches in boxing history. ALL of Shavers power, flush to the face in one huge shot. The sound alone is wicked brutal. Larry also said it's the only time in his career he was "out", and hiting to the canvas jolted him back just enough to get up.
I can only think of a handful of fighters in boxing history who could have withstood such a shot.
zenmachinefilms 10 months ago
And prime Tyson wouldve destroyed ernie.
Tyson was way to quick for ernies lopping punches lol not to mention Ernie was missing all the qualities I pointed out in my last comment below
ferrarimike23 10 months ago
@ferrarimike23
thats true
nevawrong 9 months ago
@ferrarimike23 Not to mention, Jerry Quarry had knocked out Shavers in the first round. If Quarry could do it, there's no question that Tyson would have.
LedWhisky69 6 months ago
Shavers better then Holmes? Maybe stronger. But no footwork. No head movement no speed and no chin.
All he could do was hit hard
ferrarimike23 10 months ago
The hardest punch I've ever seen in my life, Holmes was truly special.
memeexclusive 10 months ago
wow the boxing community is as dead as the industry judging by the ignorance in these comments. Shavers > Holmes
depper 11 months ago
Davey Pearl said that Holmes was so clever. Holmes wouldn't let Pearl look at his eyes. Pearl said if he could've seen them he would've stopped the fight because they were glassier than hell.
Blkserpent1 11 months ago
u can tell holmes learned a whole lot from tha great one!
HenchMc 11 months ago
Damn! Damn!Damn! THAT'S HOW YOU THROW A FUCKING RIGHT HAND! I Hate Larry Holmes, but don't tell me that bastard can't take a punch. That right hand would've killed anyone else back then besides Ali! That's why Ali is so GREAT in my opinion. He fought a YOUNGER Earnie Shavers (4 years before this fight) and got hit by some BOMBS of a right hand in round 2 and NEVER WENT DOWN! DAMN, I miss this era of Heavyweights!!!!!
bangitslo 11 months ago
@bangitslo Whineing little bitch boy. Makes me chuckle. Oh,.. and can you respond without saying "fuck? Hee hee. I piss you off don't I. Of course I do. Simple minds are easy to make respond in anger. So,.. here is your moment,.. Embarrass yourself as we know you will do. Tappy-tap on that keyboard and prove me correct. ;D
Ghstwn 11 months ago
@FuckAvailabilityHard Tyson had exactly all the same qualities you just explained. Yet,.. he did become H.C.O.T.W. And if the pressure Ernie faced in his biggest fights had come to Tyson. (As we later did see) He could not have handled it. Ernie would have had a Tyson dinner.
BTW Nice original name. Think that up all alone? Are you 16 or so? If I was an idiot like you, I'd still at least have come up with some creative spelling such as: Ima Phuckin Phool. (With a keyboard) LOL! Cya kid.
Ghstwn 11 months ago
@Ghstwn Nonsense. If Jerry Quarry could knock out Shavers in the first round, there's no question that Tyson would have done the same. Tyson was everything Quarry was and a hundred things he never could be.
LedWhisky69 6 months ago
No reason to stop the fight although holmes would have probably kayoed him the ref would not take any chances.Peanut head cracks the acorn.Great 70's boxing.THOSE WERE THE GOLDEN ALBIET CORRUPT days
tralfazruk1 1 year ago
Shavers is a sloppy boxer and brawler. He does not pocess speed, skill, accuracy, a solid chin, stamina, and not even decent heart. Yet was ducked by many great fighters and 2:18 is the reason.
Maryjaneslave 1 year ago
Not too many fighters living or dead that could get up after that punch much less fight on & win.Larry Holmes one of the true all time greats. It's too bad Ali didn't fight Larry in 1977 instead of that bum Leon Spinks. Still think Ali threw that 1st fight intentionally knowing that re-capturing the heavyweight title from Spinks would be a helluva lot easier than from a #1 ranked Ken Norton. That's why the WBC stripped Spinks of the title for not fighting Norton (he would've destroyed Spinks).
FrankenFraud 1 year ago
The knockdown punch doesn't need to be seen....you can just hear it and know. It sounded like someone taking a baseball bat to a leather chair. Had he connected with that wild ass punch with :25 left he would've put Holmes' head through the floor. Holmes had heart, man. No fighter today would've even gotten up from a sledgehammer shot like that. Too bad Earnie lost his cool and fought like an ape after the knockdown.
ytownteddy 1 year ago
Contrast this fight, to 2 years earlier when Shavers hit Ali with the same bombs and Ali withstood them. Ali was 35 at the time. Holmes is 29 here. Anyway I love both Ali and Holmes (well, NOT Holmes-nobody loves Larry) They're 2 of the Greatest Heavyweights ever. Along with Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, and the highly disrepected and underated Gene "The Original Dancing Master" Tunney.
bangitslo 1 year ago
In this day and age, the fight would have been stopped with :07 left in the 7th.
CLM531 1 year ago
ok well cosell explained why i jus had to play the vid a bit more LOL i was so flabergasted i stopped it right away and commented
meloportu 1 year ago
Can somebody tell me why the hell the ref stopped it at 6 ;44? anyways holmes had such great combos for a heavyweight and shavers what a beast with power good vid champ
meloportu 1 year ago
If Shavers had Chuvalo's chin and Fraziers movement....-shudders-
shamwowftl 1 year ago
2:18 , i went OHHHH with the crowd LOL
senglit 1 year ago
You don't stop a fight at the moment this one was stopped! Nobody was out on their feet! I remember this and I remember realizing that my favorite sport was fixed! Frankly I'm surprised it wasn't Richard Steele as ref because that guy was so far up Don King's back pocket I'm amazed he could even breathe for the stench! Earnie Shavers got robbed against Ali (and Ali is a hero of mine) but fair is fair. I count Shavers as a former heavyweight champ and to hell with fixed history!
Rolland
rbheiss 1 year ago
Anybody on the planet would have been permanently put to sleep by that right except for Larry Holmes. Unbelievable. He was a terrific champ.
ballisticbliss 1 year ago
if only shavers had tyson head movement he would be the greatest
ians2cool2 1 year ago
Master boxing lesson delivered by Larry Holmes!
TheCaptbob1 1 year ago
Hard hit but if Larry holmes cut get up from that i dont belive it was that hard cus alot of guys hit and it Sounds hard but its just a normal puch .. Foeman is alot stronger ten Shaves
BunBRIP 1 year ago
@BunBRIP Seeing as how Larry Holmes was one of the greatest fighters who ever lived in ANY division, and had one of the best chins in heavyweight history, I would say that was about as devastating a punch as I have ever seen. Holmes said Shavers was the hardest puncher he ever faced...as did Ali, Lyle, Young etc....You are blocked for spamming and just being a overall pain in the ass.
XionComrade 1 year ago 11
@XionComrade Nice call. And you are correct. ;)
Ghstwn 11 months ago
@XionComrade Your right man. everyone who fought Earnie Shavers, including Muhammad Ali said he was the hardest puncher ever faced by them. That punch would have taken some peoples head off man. Great conditioning and chin to come back from that. Great two fights these two had and i wish heavyweight division was that way now.
Bxngexpert 4 months ago
@XionComrade
Foreman also said on a interview that Shavers has the hardest hit. And some white guy who had a left hook better than Fraziers.
WhoChrisLiu 1 month ago
@WhoChrisLiu Ali once said that Shavers hit him so hard that it shook his kinfolk in Africa.
MadAngelKonneckshun 2 weeks ago
@BunBRIP . muhammad ali said shaver was the strongest puncher he ever fight.
PhuLieuMang 11 months ago
@BunBRIP Try learning spell check, then post later. ;) Figuring out what illiterates are typing is simply not worth the our time to read. ewe git mie pouient? ;)
Ghstwn 11 months ago
@BunBRIP Try learning spell check, then post later. ;) Figuring out what illiterates are typing is simply not worth the our time to read. ewe git mie pouient? ;) You have no clue on that one do you. LOL!
Ghstwn 11 months ago
Holmes was a good fighter
morningbirdfeeder 1 year ago
Remember seeing this fight at the time on telly; the greatest ever comeback in a boxing ring. Larry Holmes has to be the most underrated of all heavyweight champions; an all-time great who I'd say is second only to a prime (1964-66) Muhammad Ali, and arguably also James Buster Douglas in his one off performance against Mike Tyson.
Tchalla77 1 year ago
early stoppage much? i wanted to see holmes put shavers out cold.
Robstailey 1 year ago
God DAMN what a shot! That punch would have dropped king kong!!
kingdarius1991 1 year ago
Go Larry :D
DeezyEntertainment 1 year ago
Damn. Larry's face hit a mack truck. LOLLLL
roscoegino 1 year ago
Jerry Quarry took Shaver's bombs and then knocked him out in round one, Ron Stander also took Shaver's best and knocked him out. Shavers had a little glass in his jaw and Foreman would KO him early too, no disrespect to Shavers.
billthestinker 1 year ago
earnie could have knocked larry out if he wasn't such an idiot, just look at the amateurish way he starts swinging after the knockdown.
Robstailey 1 year ago
Do you have Shavers-Holmes 1?
BigMDS67 1 year ago
Larry Holmes was Ali's sparring partner. I don't think he is s good as Ali
ap0lmc 1 year ago
This punch sound like a shotgun!
mitjandjija 1 year ago
lol fuk yu homes lol
cinna71 1 year ago
Jesus,that right was awesome,and how Holmes got up i'll never know.
Peter9761 1 year ago
@Peter9761 Damn, I know what you mean. That was one HELLACIOUS right hand! I give Holmes ALL the credit in the world to get up from a punch like that! Same thing when Ali got hit with that left hook by Frazier back in '71. Man those guys were champs! It wasn't about money, or drug testing or anything, it was about Sport! Miss those days!
bangitslo 1 year ago 3
Anyone got footage of Shavers hitting the heavy bag? It would be invaluable to the boxing community!
XionComrade 1 year ago 5
Shavers totally out of gas
stanmancam 1 year ago
I don't hink there is another heayweight in history who could've taken THAT punch and gotten up!!! Ali, Holmes and Holyfield had some great chins. Did you hear the "crack" of that punch?
arkansoul 1 year ago
@arkansoul
George Chuvalo could have taken that punch with a smile. 93 fights, never off his feet. never floored. greatest chin in the HW
crashburnerz 1 year ago
@crashburnerz George Chuvalo would have been gone before the bell sounded though, TKO, no way he would recover. Didn't recover from a Foreman sledge hammer, wont recover from a Earnie Shavers bunker buster.
XionComrade 1 year ago 10
@XionComrade Chuvalo never went down,always says foreman fight should never been stopped
Mrslumsden 7 months ago
@Mrslumsden Actually Chuvalo went down against Oscar Bonavena, check it out.
Bxngexpert 4 months ago
@crashburnerz George Chuvalo and maybe Jerry Quarry, too. I forgot about those granite chinned warriors...Chuck Wepner, as well...Maybe I'm pushing it!!! Thanx...
arkansoul 1 year ago
@arkansoul
Ray Mercer and Oliver McCall have some steel chins too, and David Tua. But Chuvalo is the most impressive, as he took beatings from some of the biggest punchers in history, Foreman, Frazier, Patterson etc. If theres anyone who could have taken Shavers' bombs that's him
crashburnerz 1 year ago
@crashburnerz Shavers main problem was his stamina and he couldn't take what he dished out. You think either of the Klitschkos could have taken a punch from Shavers?
arkansoul 1 year ago
@arkansoul
Shaver also lacked accuracy, like a lot.
about the Klitchkos, Vitali is known for his solid chin, he's never been knocked down. mind you, he's never been tested against punchers of the caliber of Foreman and Shavers so its hard to tell
Wlad on the other hand, would go down like a sack of potatoes
crashburnerz 1 year ago
@crashburnerz
Chuvalo good take a punch man- he had a jaw of granite and never off his feet. Shavers for all of his KO power had a glass jaw.
crowned1022 1 year ago
@crowned1022 but how many punchers DON'T have something of a glass jaw?
elainesman 1 year ago
@elainesman
Foreman
Max Baer
David Tua
Sonny Liston
Ron Lyle
Joe Frazier
and Mike Tyson... All of these guys have good chins lol
TommyGun7111 1 year ago
@crashburnerz best chin in the whole world...Jake Lamotta
v2vroth 1 year ago
@v2vroth
the best chin title belongs to the guy who took bomb after bomb from some of the hardest punchers in history (Foreman, Frazier, Williams, Bonavena etc) and never went down and that's Chuvalo
crashburnerz 1 year ago
@crashburnerz He had a good chin somewhat .. but LaMotta never off his feet ( just like movie Raging Bull portrayed) he was only a middleweight but fought the best of his era and many were heavy hitters...Cerdan, Ray Robinson, etc Jake was also rated the best chin in Ring magazine and they know their shit...
v2vroth 1 year ago
@v2vroth
Chuvalo never off his feet either, and he fought in the Heavyweight division. You cant possibly compare the level of power in middleweight to heavyweight, specially when you take into account a monster punchers like Foreman and Frazier. Foreman probably had more power in his jab that any of Lamotta's rivals had in their right cross
crashburnerz 1 year ago
@crashburnerz Agreed that for Heavyweights..Tyson,Foreman,Shavers,Ruddick all great power punchers for that division. A no brainer that any Heavyweight can out punch a middleweight, but Heavyweights fight other Heavyweights. Had Walker Smith ( aka. Mr. Sugar Ray Robinson) been a Heavyweight LaMotta's chin could have taken it. If Forman and company were middle weights they would have had a tough time gettin The Bronx Bull off his feet.
v2vroth 1 year ago
Cosell was a jerk. Really just a disrepectful jerk.
Phil0r87 1 year ago
OOOOOOOO MMMMMMMMM GGGGGGGGGGG ! woah!
papallo 1 year ago 9
@papallo Well Put :D
XionComrade 1 year ago
I feel bad for Shavers, he's one guy who was worthy of the title. Ron Lyle too, they're contenders in the wrong era.
capablemachine 1 year ago
@capablemachine add Jerry Quarry to that list as well!
v2vroth 1 year ago
Holmes himself said that Shavers was the hardest puncher in the business in the game at the time.
hartistry1957 1 year ago
Shavers should have tried shotput at the Olympics .
crawhip7 1 year ago
lightning fast punches though from Shavers.
crawhip7 1 year ago
Holmes had a lot of heart after getting floored in the 7th round. And for him to comeback and box the way he did, it would explain why he was a champion for so long. He had an outstanding jab.
mp4vids 1 year ago
the most amazing thing? this was on network t.v.
MeesterChum 2 years ago
Just getting up from that punch puts Holmes in the top 3 heavys ever.
ballisticbliss 2 years ago
Woah, you're not kidding! I remember this fight as a kid. How he didn't put Larry out there I'll never know. Talk about a chin of granite!
Reg197844 2 years ago
Ernie was out of steam of steam after the knock down.Holmes was ready to go for sure.He was rocked hard.Shavers was a bit out of gas after knock down and couldnt finish Holmes and it was too near the end of the round,which saved Holmes.Had this not been the case...Shavers would have taken the title
teleman84 2 years ago
Have to give credit to Larry Holmes. Earnie Shavers was one of the 3-4 greatest ALL-TIME one punch punchers in heavyweight history and he CRUNCHED Holmes with his money shot...that right hand. And Holmes got up. Unreal. Especially when you contrast it to the asswhoopin' Shavers laid on Ken Norton during this same time frame
cbaldwinjr 2 years ago
I think I heard Joe Frazier say that even a little man can knock you down if he hits you on the button. Magnify that times ten with Shavers. Makes you wonder how Ali survived his fight with the "Acorn".
romienomie 2 years ago
@romienomie It's funny that you brought up the Ali fight. Shavers said he thought Ali was clowning. I saw how he staggered from that right. Had he not grabbed the top rope, Ali would have gone down on his rump.
vidnut67 1 year ago
One of the most devastating shots in boxing history and Holmes got up to win. The man showed Ali-like resiliency and courage. Shavers might have finished him if he had stayed patient and didn't get wild. He eventually tired himself out. The great champs like Holmes know how to dig down deep to muster up that needed strength.
musiclover59 2 years ago
Dustin! Asshole punk! Coward SHit!
Mangkukutod 2 years ago
There is nothing great about you XionComrade!!! Your an asshole Dustin! Your such a bullshit in this world that I wish you were never born. You even put your SHITTY ASS words in Boxing forums!I guess killing you and cutting your head would satisfy me.
Mangkukutod 2 years ago
XionComrade+Boxing = FAIL
Mangkukutod 2 years ago
Why don't you fight me instead? I think XionComrade is a COWARD. Are you scared?
Mangkukutod 2 years ago
Holmes was all business preparing for fight. I saw him in the pavilion behind caesars palace in 1980 i think....coming out from his dressing room to go spar..I asked to take his pic as he walked by..he gave me a cold stare and said.. ' I'm working now. Wait til I get thru'' and so I did...as he walked back by me later I asked again...and he stopped and posed for a picture nice as could be.
cavanal 2 years ago
How Holmes got up from that shot , I will never know. He shows tremendous heart like Alli, a great champion.
romienomie 2 years ago
Hell of a powershot and Holmes got up. Loads of respect for a man that can get laid out, beat the count and win the fight.
casanovalegend 2 years ago
There is no doubt Holmes would take Tyson in his prime since he battled him well at his old age. In his prime, forget about it. Tyson was all fear factor. That's it. Not a good boxer at all. Bonecrusher, I'll give you, but Holmes beat bonecrusher.
MrStones64 2 years ago
How in the world did Larry get up from that punch? That was pure heart right there, like the Ali-Frazier knockdown
m0neymayweather 2 years ago 4
@m0neymayweather Holmes later said that if Shavers didn't hit so hard he would have been knocked out. He said he was hit so hard that he was KO'd but he saw a flash and a bolt of electricity through his brain woke him up again.
Now that is hard!!!!
Midnightrambler3760 1 year ago
Shavers had seen a lot more water flow under the bridge than Holmes by the time of this fight,
yet still manged to put Holmes on his arse.
If it were a young Mike Tyson in his place or even a younger Shavers for that matter, It would have been garters for Larry!
pharcelle1 2 years ago
That was a true display of courage from Shavers & Holmes. Gripping Stuff.
My heart goes out to Ernie and my apologies for not picking up sooner on the Spirit of a remarkable Boxer. Must be researched
pharcelle1 2 years ago
A lot has to be said about Holmes getting up from that shot from Shavers. The casual fan of boxing doesn't know that Shavers is widely recognized as the hardest hitter in boxing history. Larry said he hit way harder than Tyson.
Larry had a good chin, a big heart and a lot of pride. That's how he not only got up at four, but fought back and won the fight.
mongoose704 2 years ago
Eloquently put mongoose704 just don't yam my chicken'...but seriously and to point, Larry hurt my feelings as a youth and I could never quite get over my prejudice, He was in fact schooled by Mohamed Ali, my main man. He also beat up Ali pretty bad and that their is a hard fact of life for a youth to swallow.
Mike Tyson scared Larry! Fear was written all over his face! Skill,strength, & courage all his, but no character in the ring. expected a better show from him against Mike,
pharcelle1 2 years ago
Don King had trouble landing opponents for Tyson so he approached Larry with a large number for a payday and a low number for the time until the fight. Larry had little time to prepare coming off of a three year layoff, If Larry had three or four fights to prepare, he would have given Tyson a damn good fight (and Larry did fight admirably for the first three rounds.) Larry got up from the first two knockdowns and was asking to continue after the third. Larry takes him in his prime though!
mongoose704 2 years ago
@pharcelle1 are you kidding? He did Better than everyone else against Tyson(up until Buster). Both in their prime, Holmes would destroy Tyson, perhaps the most overrated boxer in history. Tyson mostly beat tomato cans. He didn't fight in the Holmes, Ali, Frazier era.
MrStones64 2 years ago
@Mrstones regardless of what you think about Mike Tyson's opponents, one thing was evident and that was the "Fear factor". Mike proved later on that he could be an animal in the ring. This was not a myth Mike would win the mind battle every time.
Ali, never showed his fear, and in doing so, beat men like Mike before even stepping in the ring. As skilled as Holmes was their remains a big doubt as to whether he(In his prime) could take Mike Tyson.
pharcelle1 2 years ago
Correct me if am wrong but did not 'Bonecrusher Smith take Tyson the distance before the Holmes Fight?
pharcelle1 2 years ago
apparently Shavers didn't hit hard enough
8aetroya8 2 years ago
just look at the end of round 7 after the knockdown, shavers was just swinging around absolutely no precision,which tyson had 100%
rapeyou8991 2 years ago
But Tyson never hit anywhere near as hard as Shavers, so whats your point? Holmes chin was granite in his prime, when he was KO'd against Tyson his resistance was dying. Holems would have destroyed Tyson when he was younger.
OscarDanDan76 2 years ago 2
Holmes was unconcious, arm stiff, yet he still got up!! It is something Tyson and most heavyweights could never do. Holmes recovered like no other fighter I have seen before him. A true legend!
OscarDanDan76 2 years ago 2
Yes you are so right.All of these 70 fighters face adversity very well.Even Earnie Shavers ,just look at his fight against Big Cat Williams.Tyson never came back or faced adversity once he took is fall!
1975tooto 2 years ago
@1975tooto Well said!!
OscarDanDan76 2 years ago
@OscarDanDan76 Thanx! History pretty much answers these comments by us!Not Favortism.
1975tooto 2 years ago
I personally am more partial to Sugar Ray Robinson. I was viewing his fights. Tommy Morrison had great knockout power in the left, but Sugar Ray Robinson actually killed Doyle with one. Sugar Ray Robinson was deadly with both hands, and speed to go with it.
Don't want to get too carried away though. I just watch boxing for entertainment. Don't want to see someone get killed over it.
robertslistening 2 years ago
If Earnie Shavers had skill to go along with his power,he woulda been one of the greatest of all times...
onlyjoetee 2 years ago 2
The most beautiful jab ever Larry Holmes.....
onlyjoetee 2 years ago
Holmes was not afraid of Shavers (considered the hardest puncher by some), but Holmes was afraid of Tyson. I personally think Tyson hit harder. Shavers also had too much of a one-handed attack. Big flailing right hand. Just hardly anything in the left (compared to Holmes...great jab).
I personally think Lennox Lewis was one of the best. He KO'd so many opponents with that right hand. I think he is one of the few that could have beaten Tyson in Tyson's prime.
robertslistening 2 years ago
Holmes was afraid because he hadn't fought in nearly three years and barely had over a month to train. Larry needed money, Don King came to his door and offered him a quick fight date and a big pay day. Holmes took the money. However after a few more fights, Larry was in fine shape and his timing was on, good enough to beat an undefeated, young Ray Mercer.
Holmes on his old discussion forum stated several times that Shavers hit harder than Tyson.
mongoose704 2 years ago 2
@robertslistening Hey Rob I hear you.But Tyson was well schooled thru out his teen years by Cus since he was 15.He knew how to get the most out of his punching power by using upper body movement and using his shoulders.He had technique. This something Shavers did not have or was ever taught.He punched so hard he figured he did not need this I guess Holmes said Tyson was the Sharper puncher but Shavers was in a League all by himself when it came to power. He felt it to the Bone he says!!
1975tooto 2 years ago
Right on. He said Tyson hits like a corvette, Shavers hits like a truck. Tyson was a knockout artist because he could throw punches in bunches from any angle so you likely didn't see a Tyson shot coming.
mongoose704 2 years ago
I really have to give it to Larry Holmes. How he got up after that right hand. Ridiculous!!!
mikeymikeandthefunky 2 years ago
Absolutely. Larry had amazing recuperative powers. He took so many huge shots vs Tyson and he still got up. Even the knockdown that ended the fight Holmes was begging the ref to let him get up and keep fighting.
mongoose704 2 years ago
He said getting hit by Tyson was like getting hit by a Corvette.
Getting hit by Shavers was like getting hit by a truck going the same speed. On his website he has unambiguously declared Shavers was the hardest hitter he ever faced.
mongoose704 2 years ago
Holmes definately thought he was Ali
MickeyLove01 2 years ago
2:17 = POW!!!!
Kudos to Holmes.
Props2u 2 years ago
the heart of holmes!!! amazing, getting up after that shot from shavers!!! INSANE!!!
PengPengBoateng2 2 years ago
how can you recover from that? doesn´ t make sence! i would rather expect a survire braindamage ore death!
EatYourBeatsRECYCLEE 2 years ago 2
Larry Holmes said the actual punch knocked him out, but when he hit the floor, it brought him back to his senses. Say what you will, but Larry Holmes was a MAN!!! Shavers was no windbag either now. He just couldn't take what he dished out.
arkansoul 2 years ago 4
A boxer always defeats a fighter;a jabber always defeats a swinger...especially if the boxer has a good defense
onlyjoetee 2 years ago
I like the rock paper scissors analogy regarding heavyweight boxing: Boxer (outfighter) beats the Brawler. The Brawler beats the Swarmer (pressure fighter.) The Swarmer beats the Boxer.
mongoose704 2 years ago
Holmes is Indominable
ArchitectOfEvil 2 years ago
i received brain damage just watching the fkin punch at 2:18 jesus
killzone2productions 2 years ago 9
Damn,that was the best right hand i've ever seen.
vince2370 2 years ago
That punch used to be on the opening credits to World of Sport with good ole Dickie Davies. The hardest punch of that era and Holmes amazingly managed to recover and Ernie just missed the chance with wild swings and tired himself out (unless he was due a big bonus for NOT knocking Holmes out - this was the 70s - 80s golden age of Dodgy fights after all;-)
chrislebensmother 2 years ago
I still will never understand how Holmes got up so easily from that punch. If he hadn't, it would have probably gone down in history as the hardest punch ever thrown.
Myndir 2 years ago
holmes had one helluva left jab.
inmotionpics 2 years ago
2:19 Holy shit! That was like a gunshot!
assahkumlamman 2 years ago
Has anyone heard Shavers talk or comment about this punch?
deadredone11 2 years ago
Shavers said he never hit somebody as hard as this.. and he was amazed that Holmes actually got up from that..
bartosx 2 years ago 2
Holmes was an incredible fighter with heart and skill to win no matter what!
classickc 2 years ago 4
the puke you speak of was Holmes v. Holyfield a fellow warrior and thus a good matchup.
kevonedmonds 2 years ago
I'd forgotten how good Holmes was.
caspergolightly 2 years ago
Ernie should've thrown more body shots after Holmes got up..
trezuru 2 years ago 2
Holmes had tremendous heart and courage. I saw him fight on television cant remember who against, but it was live and at the end of his career, and he punched to the final bell in a furious exchange... then turned to walk back to his corner having finished the fight, with puke spewing from out his mouth. He was a warrior-boxer.
rediculousnicholas 2 years ago 2
thats was against Holyfield, a shame the entire match is not on you tube I would love to see it.
Chargerchad 2 years ago
shavers couldn't throw any more pounches totally exhausted. here's a tip earny train longer on the speed bag, heavy bag and sparring sessions. you and your trainners blew it you could have been world champion even if only for a little while.
jeryd2003 2 years ago
C'mon guys, it was a bomb but it wasnt that hard..
tworkingit 2 years ago
I'll never forget this fight.
Larry went down like a sack of potatoes but,KO'd and woke up at the same time to
finish the round & kay Shavers soon after.
All the sparring with Shavers in Ali's camp
must have helped him in this fight,knowing when Earnie was going to
throw the right.
Greatest FIghter of my generation,Holmes
asj619650 2 years ago 3
2:19 :-)
larryvgs 2 years ago
just getting up from that punch mkes him in the top 3 of all time
Boxinglad123 2 years ago 2
Ali took that punch, wobbled backwards, then told Shavers ' You got nothin' and waved him in. Ali Greatest of all time.
FreckletonBoy 2 years ago 4
the funny thing is ali was HURT and he was kidding to shavers. Shavers could maybe have finished him but ali was to smart, truly the greatest
Boxinglad123 2 years ago 3
Shavers should've attached a bowtie to those shorts.
hostilel7 2 years ago 2
If Simmons liked the simpsons and smoked weed I'd marry the guy
lvsm37 2 years ago
Taking a punch like that from Shavers proves what an iron jaw Holmes had. I doubt anyone else would have survived that except maybe Ali. To get up and win the fight says a lot about how great he was. Bravo Holmes!!
ballisticbliss 2 years ago 3
William Simmons has done it again!!
Breez3 2 years ago
simmons got me here too fuckin sports god
kolense 2 years ago
Shavers was a murderous puncher! Only the very slick boxers (like Ali/Holmes) or good power-punchers (like Lyle) were able to be him in his prime Mid-late 70s. Arguably the hardest one-shot puncher in the heavyweights. How Holmes got up from that detonating right hand in the 7th, only GOD knows. Apart from Ali, all other heavyweights would be KO'd from such a punch in the middle-late rounds of the fight. Ali & Holmes were great boxers, not only bcoz of sublime skills but ability to absorb LICKS!
Galactus247 2 years ago