Larry Holmes talk’s about getting hit by Ernie Shavers

“That was a great feat of courage when I watched that fight, when he fought Earnie Shavers,” Tyson said of the thundering right hook that Shavers used to level Holmes. “I was just amazed that he got up from that. I didn’t believe...it was like he got shot with a shotgun.”

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Muhammad Ali famously said after narrowly winning a decision over Shavers in 1977 that Shavers, “hit me so hard that it shook my kinfolk in Africa.” Throughout their bout, Shavers visibly rocked Ali with shots so hard that the crowed erupted in shock that Ali managed to stay on his feet.

Despite the excitement he brought to fights and the ever-present threat of a spectacular KO, Shavers was never able to capture a world title, with his losses to Ali and Holmes being the only shots he ever got at a belt.