James Albert "Jimmy" Ellis (born February 24, 1940) is a retired boxer from Louisville, Kentucky. He fought in what some consider to be the greatest heavyweight era of all-time, which included Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Jerry Quarry, Floyd Patterson, Oscar Bonavena, Earnie Shavers and George Chuvalo among others.^[1] Ellis held the WBA World Heavyweight Championship from 1968 to 1970. He was a skilled boxer, with a good chin and, as Angelo Dundee always stated, much better punch power than many expected. Ellis had 'Iron jawed' Bonavena down twice.

Amateur career[link]

Ellis got into boxing as a youngster after watching fellow Louisville native Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, fight on a local amateur boxing television show called Tomorrow's Champions. "I had a friend of mine named Donnie Hall, and he fought Ali," Ellis said. "Donnie lost, and I thought I could maybe be a fighter then." Ellis went with Hall to Louisville's Columbia Gym, where the coach was a police officer named Joe Martin.^[2]

Ellis won 59 of 66 amateur bouts and was a Golden Gloves champion. He boxed Ali twice as an amateur, with Ali winning the first bout and Ellis winning the second.

Early Professional Career[link]

Ellis turned professional in 1961. Early in his pro career, he was trained and managed by Bud Bruner. With Bruner, he compiled a record of 15-5 (6 KOs) and was ranked #10 in the world as a middleweight. His five losses were decisions to top middleweight contenders Holly Mims (whom he defeated in a rematch), Henry Hank, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Don Fullmer, and George Benton.

At the end of 1964, after losing three out of four fights, Ellis decided to leave Bruner. He later recalled Bruner fondly. "I liked him, and I fought a lot of top-rated fighters when I was with him, but eventually I had to move on," Ellis said. "He did me justice, and we always remained friends."^[3]

Ellis wrote a letter to Angelo Dundee, the trainer of Ali, and asked him to handle his career. Dundee agreed to be his manager and trainer. Ellis became a sparring partner for Ali and started to fight on his undercards. Six of his first eight fights with Dundee were on an Ali undercard.^[4]

The WBA vacant Heavyweight Championship[link]

By 1966, Ellis was fighting as a heavyweight. When Ali was stripped of the world title for refusing to enter the military, the World Boxing Association staged an eight-man tournament that featured most of the top heavyweight contenders. Ellis, with eight consecutive wins, was invited to be in the tournament. Joe Frazier, the widely accepted #1 contender, chose not to participate in the tournament. Instead, Frazier fought and knocked out Buster Mathis for the vacant New York State Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Championship.

WBA Elimination bout series[link]

In his first WBA elimintor, Ellis stopped Leotis Martin in nine rounds on cuts when the scoring was around evens. But his sneak fast and dangerous right hand had been a continual danger to Martin throughout. Perhaps, then the best win of his career was when he then easily outpointed Oscar Bonavena to reach the WBA tournament final.

Wins WBA World title[link]

On April 27, 1968, Ellis defeated Jerry Quarry in a cautious fifteen-round split decision to win the vacant WBA World Heavyweight Championship.^[5] In his only successful title defense, Ellis defeated Floyd Patterson in a controversial fifteen-round decision on September 14, 1968 in Stockholm, Sweden. Many in the crowd of 30,000 disagreed with the decision and started chanting, "Floyd champ!" The New York Times scored the fight seven rounds to six for Ellis, with two even.^[6] Ellis left the match bloodied with a broken nose.

Following the defeat of Patterson, Ellis was out of the ring for seventeen months. He was going to fight Henry Cooper in the United Kingdom, but Cooper was injured and pulled out of the fight. In his biography Cooper alleges the British Boxing board blocked the match but the reason is unclear. Ellis then planned to fight Bob Cleroux in Montreal, but Cleroux lost what was supposed to be a tune-up fight against the lightly regarded Billy Joiner. Finally, Ellis was going to fight Gregorio Peralta in Argentina, but promoters canceled the fight 24 hours before it was to take place because of poor ticket sales.^[7][8]

Unification match against Frazier[link]

On February 16, 1970, Ellis fought Frazier to unify the World Heavyweight Championship. Predictions were split. But Frazier proved too strong and powerful. The undefeated Frazier knocked Ellis down twice in the fourth round, and Dundee stopped the fight before the start of the fifth round. It was the first knockout loss for Ellis.

Ali match[link]

After winning his next three fights, Ellis fought Ali in the Houston Astrodome on July 26, 1971. Being the manager and trainer of Ellis, but only Ali's trainer, Dundee chose to work with Ellis for the fight. It was one of the few fights in Ali's career in which Dundee was not in his corner. Ellis fought well over the first three rounds, but the fight turned after Ellis was hurt by a right hand in the fourth round. The right hand "hurt me so bad I couldn't really fight my best after that," Ellis said. "It ruined me." Ali went on to stop Ellis in the twelfth round.^[9]

Diminishing Skills, versus Shavers[link]

Ellis won his next eight fights by knockout and then fought Earnie Shavers, who was 44-2 (43 KOs). The fight took place on June 18, 1973 at Madison Square Garden. Ellis stunned Shavers with a chopping right to the jaw and backed him into a corner. Then, with a single right uppercut, Shavers put Ellis down for the count. The time was 2:39 in the first round.^[10]

Ellis came back with a knockout of Journeyman Memphis Al Jones, but with his skills in decline, he went winless in his next five fights. He lost a split decision to Boone Kirkman, fought a draw with Larry Middleton, dropped decisions to Ron Lyle and Joe Bugner, and was stopped in nine rounds in a rematch with Frazier.

On May 6, 1975, in what would be his last fight, Ellis knocked out a Carl Baker in the first round. He retired after suffering a training injury that left him partially blind in his left eye. Ellis finished with a record of 40-12-1 (24 KOs).

After retiring from boxing, Ellis trained boxers and worked for the Louisville Parks Department. He now suffers from dementia pugilistica. It has recently been reported that Ellis is now in such poor health he can no longer sign autographs.^[11]

References[link]

External links[link]

	Book: Jimmy Ellis
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

• Professional boxing record for Jimmy Ellis from BoxRec

Joe Frazier
Frazier in 2010
Statistics
Real name	Joseph William Frazier
Nickname(s)	Smokin' Joe
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	5 ft 11 1⁄2 in (1.82 m)
Reach	73 in (185 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1944-01-12)January 12, 1944 Beaufort, South Carolina, United States
Died	November 7, 2011(2011-11-07) (aged 67)[1] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	37
Wins	32
Wins by KO	27
Losses	4
Draws	1
No contests	0
Medal record Men’s Boxing Olympic Games Competitor for  United States Gold 1964 Tokyo Heavyweight

Joseph William "Joe" Frazier (January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011), also known as Smokin' Joe, was an American professional boxer and Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, whose professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a one-fight comeback in 1981.

Frazier emerged as the top contender in the late 1960s, defeating opponents that included Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, George Chuvalo and Jimmy Ellis en route to becoming Undisputed Heavyweight Champion in 1970, and followed up by defeating Muhammad Ali on points in the highly-anticipated "Fight of the Century" in 1971. Two years later Frazier lost his title when he was knocked out by George Foreman. He fought on, beating Joe Bugner, losing a rematch to Ali and beating Quarry and Ellis again.

Frazier's last world title challenge came in 1975, but he was beaten by Ali in their brutal rubbermatch. He retired in 1976 following a second loss to Foreman. He made a comeback in 1981, fighting just once, before retiring for good. The International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) rates Frazier among the ten greatest heavyweights of all time.^[2] He was an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Frazier's style was often compared to that of Henry Armstrong and occasionally Rocky Marciano. He was dependent on bobbing, weaving, grunting, and snorting as he grimaced with all out aggression wearing down his opponents with relentless pressure. His best known punch was a powerful left hook, which accounted for most of his knockouts.

After retiring, Frazier made cameo appearances in several Hollywood movies, and two episodes of The Simpsons. His son Marvis became a boxer — trained by Frazier himself — although was unable to recreate his father's success. Frazier continued to train fighters in his gym in Philadelphia. His later years saw the continuation of his bitter rivalry with Ali, in which the two periodically exchanged insults, interspersed with brief reconciliations.

Frazier was diagnosed with liver cancer in late September 2011 and admitted to hospice care.^[3] He died November 7, 2011.^[4]

Early life[link]

Joe Frazier was the 12th child born to Rubin and Dolly Frazier in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was raised in a rural community of Beaufort called Laurel Bay.^[5][6] Frazier said he was always close to his father, who carried him when he was a toddler "over the 10 acres of farmland" that the Fraziers owned, "to the still where he made his bootleg corn liquor, and into town on Saturdays to buy the necessities that a family of 10 needed." The young Frazier was affectionately called "Billy Boy."^[5]

Rubin had his left hand and part of his forearm amputated a year before Frazier was born. While Rubin and Dolly were in the car a friend named Arthur Smith, who was drunk at the time and was fond of meeting women, passed by and made a move for Dolly and was rebuffed. When Frazier's parents drove away Smith fired several bullets, hitting Dolly once in the foot and Rubin several times in the arm, which was hanging outside the car. Arthur Smith went to prison for the shooting, but did not stay long. As Joe's mother put it, "If you were a good workman, the white man took you out of jail and kept you busy on the farm."^[7]

His parents owned the 10 acre farm which they worked with "two mules, Buck and Jenny." Frazier said the land was what country folk called "white dirt, which is another way of saying it isn't worth a damn." The Frazier family couldn't grow peas or corn on it, they were only able to grow cotton and watermelon.^[7]

In the early '50s, Frazier's father got a black and white television. His father, his mother, her brothers and other people from the neighborhood would come to watch boxing matches on it. Frazier's mother sold drinks for a quarter as they watched fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Willie Pep and Rocky Graziano. One night Frazier walked onto the porch of his house when his Uncle Israel noticed Frazier's stocky build. "That boy there...that boy is gonna be another Joe Louis" he remarked. The words made an impression on Joe. At school, his classmates would give him a sandwich or a quarter to walk with them at final bell so that bullies would not mess with them. Joe remarked, "Any 'scamboogah' (a disrespectful, low-down and foul person) who got in my face would soon regret it: Billy Boy could kick anybody's ass." The next day after Joe was labeled the next Joe Louis, he got an old burlap sack and filled it with rags, corncobs, a brick in the middle and Spanish moss that grew on trees all over Beaufort County. He then tied a rope to it and hung the makeshift heavybag from an oak tree in the backyard where the mules were kept. "For the next 6, 7 years, damn near every day I'd hit that heavybag for an hour at a time. I'd wrap my hands with a necktie of my Daddy's, or a stocking of my Momma's or sister's, and get to it" Joe remarked.^[8]

It was not long after Joe started working out that his left arm was seriously damaged because of the Fraziers' ornery 300 pound hog. The hog was very nasty from time to time, but sometimes Joe could not resist teasing it. One day Joe poked the hog with a stick and ran away, but someone had left the gate to the pigpen open and the hog ran through the gate, chasing Joe. In his hurry, Joe fell and hit his left arm on a brick. The arm was torn badly, but as the Frazier family was unable to pay for a doctor, the arm had to heal on its own. The arm eventually did heal, but Joe was never able to keep it fully straight again. It was crooked and lacking a full range of motion. But as it existed, it was as though it was cocked for the left hook — permanently cocked.^[9]

By the time Joe was 15 years old, he was working on a farm for a family named Bellamy. They were both white men, Mac who was the younger of the two and more easy going, and Jim who was a little rougher and somewhat backward. One day a little black boy of about 12 years old, damaged one of the Bellamy's tractors without meaning to. Jim Bellamy became so enraged he took off his belt and whipped the boy with his belt right there in the field. Joe saw the event and went back to the packing house on the farm and told his black friends what he had seen. It wasn't long before Jim Bellamy saw Joe and asked him why he told what he had witnessed. Joe then told Bellamy he didn't know what he was talking about, but Bellamy didn't believe Joe and threatened Joe to get off the farm before he took off his belt again. Joe told him he better keep his pants up because he wasn't going to use his belt on him. Jim then analyzed Joe for a bit and eventually said "Go on, get the hell outta here." Joe knew from that moment it was time for him to leave Beaufort; he could only see hard times and low-rent for himself. Even his Momma could see it. She told Joe "Son, if you can't get along with the white folks, then leave home because I don't want anything to happen to you."^[10]

The train fare from Beaufort to the cities up North was costly, and the closest bus-stop was in Charleston, 96 miles (154 km) away. Luckily by 1958, the bus (The Dog, as called by locals in Beaufort) had finally made Beaufort a stop on its South Carolina route. Joe had a brother, Tommy, in New York. He was told he could stay with Tommy and his family. Joe had to save up a bit before he could make the bus trip to New York and still have some money in his pocket, and so first he went to work at the local Coca-Cola plant. Joe remarked that the white guy would drive the truck and he would do the real work, stacking and unloading the crates. Joe stayed with Coca-Cola until the government began building houses for the marines stationed at Parris Island; at which time he was hired on a work crew.

Nine months eventually passed since he got the boot from the Bellamy farm. One day, with no fanfare, no tearful goodbyes, Joe packed quickly and got the first bus heading northward. "I climbed on the Dog's back and rode through the night" Joe remarked. "It was 1959, I was 15 years old and I was on my own."^[11]

Amateur career[link]

During Frazier's amateur career, he won Golden Gloves Heavyweight Championships in 1962, 1963 and 1964. His only loss in three years as an amateur was to Buster Mathis.^[12] Mathis would prove to be Joe's biggest obstacle to making the 1964 U.S. Olympic Boxing team. They met in the final of the U.S. Olympic Trial at the New York World's Fair in the summer of 1964. Their fight was scheduled for three rounds and they fought with 10 oz gloves and with headgear, even though the boxers who made it to Tokyo would wear no headgear and would wear 8 oz gloves. Joe was eager to get back at Mathis for his only amateur loss and KO'd two opponents to get to the finals. But once again, when the dust settled, the judges had called it for Mathis, undeservedly Joe thought. "All that fat boy had done was run like a thief- hit me with a peck and backpedal like crazy." Joe would remark.^[12]

Mathis had worn his trunks very high, so that when Joe hit Mathis with legitimate body shots the referee took a dim view of them. In the second round, the referee had gone so far as to penalize Joe two points for hitting below the belt. "In a three-round bout a man can't afford a points deduction like that," Joe would say. Joe then returned to Philadelphia feeling as low as he'd ever been and was even thinking of giving up boxing. Duke Dugent and his trainer Yank Durham were able to talk Joe out of his doldrums and even suggested Joe make the trip to Tokyo as an alternate, in case something happened to Mathis. Joe agreed and while there, he was a workhorse, sparring with any of the Olympic boxers who wanted some action. "Middleweight, light heavyweight, it didn't matter to me, I got in there and boxed all comers" Joe would say. In contrast, Mathis was slacking off. In the morning, when the Olympic team would do their roadwork, Mathis would run a mile, then start walking saying "Go ahead, big Joe. I'll catch up."^[13]

1964 Olympics[link]

In 1964 heavyweight representative Buster Mathis qualified but was injured so Frazier was sent as a replacement. At the Heavyweight boxing event, Frazier knocked out George Oywello of Uganda in the first round, then knocked out Athol McQueen of Australia 40 seconds into the third round. He was then into the semi-final, as the only American boxer left, facing the 6 foot 4, 230 lb Russian Vadim Yemelyanov.^[14]

"My left hook was a heat seeking missile, careening off his face and body time and again. Twice in the second round I knocked him to the canvas. But as I pounded away, I felt a jolt of pain shoot through my left arm. Oh damn, the thumb." Joe would say. Joe knew immediately the thumb of his left hand was damaged, though he wasn't sure as to the extent. "In the midst of the fight, with your adrenaline pumping, it's hard to gauge such things. My mind was on more important matters. Like how I was going to deal with Yemelyanov for the rest of the fight." The match ended when The Russian handlers threw in the towel, at 1:49 in the second round, the referee raised Joe's injured hand in victory.

Now that Joe was into the final, he didn't mention his broken thumb to anyone. He went back to his room and soaked his thumb in hot water and Epsom salts. "Pain or not, Joe Frazier of Beaufort, South Carolina, was going for gold." Joe proclaimed. Joe would fight a 30-year-old German mechanic named Hans Huber, who failed to make it on the German Olympic wrestling team. By now Joe was used to fighting bigger guys, but he was not used to doing it with a damaged left hand. When the opening bell sounded on fight night, Joe came out and started winging punches, he threw his right hand more than usual that night. Every so often he'd used his left hook, but nothing landed with the kind of impact he managed in previous bouts. Under Olympic rules, 5 judges judge a bout, and that night three voted for Joe.^[15]

Professional career[link]

After Frazier won the USA's only 1964 Olympic boxing gold medal, his trainer Yancey "Yank" Durham helped put together Cloverlay, a group of local businessmen (including a young Larry Merchant) who invested in Frazier's professional career and allowed him to train full-time. Durham was Frazier's chief trainer and manager until Durham's death in August 1973.

Frazier turned professional in 1965, defeating Woody Goss by a technical knockout in the first round. He won three more fights that year, all by knockout, none going past the third round.

Joe's second contest was of interest in that he was decked in round 1 by Mike Bruce. Frazier took an "8" count by referee Bob Polis but rallied for a TKO over Bruce in round 3.^[16]

In 1966, as Frazier's career was taking off, Durham contacted Los Angeles trainer Eddie Futch. The two men had never met, but Durham had heard of Futch through the latter's reputation as one of the most respected trainers in boxing. Frazier was sent to Los Angeles to train, before Futch agreed to join Durham as an assistant trainer. With Futch's assistance, Durham arranged three fights in Los Angeles against Al Jones, veteran contender Eddie Machen and George "Scrapiron" Johnson. Frazier knocked out Jones and Machen, but surprisingly went 10 rounds with journeyman Johnson to win a unanimous decision. Johnson had apparently bet all his purse that he'd survive to the final bell, noted Ring magazine, and somehow he achieved it. But Johnson was known in the trade as 'impossibly durable.'

After the Johnson match, Futch became a full-fledged member of the Frazier camp as an assistant trainer and strategist, who advised Durham on matchmaking. It was Futch who suggested that Frazier boycott the 1967 WBA Heavyweight Elimination Tournament to find a successor to Muhammad Ali after the Heavyweight Champion was stripped of his title for refusing to be inducted into the military, although Frazier was the top-ranked contender at the time.

Futch proved invaluable to Frazier as an assistant trainer, helping modify his style. Under his tutelage, Frazier adopted the bob-and-weave defensive style, making him more difficult for taller opponents to punch, while giving Frazier more power with his own punches. While Futch remained based in Los Angeles, where he worked as a supervisor with the U.S. Postal Service, he was flown to Philadelphia to work with Frazier during the final preparations for all of his fights.

After Durham died of a stroke on August 30, 1973, Futch was asked to succeed him as Frazier's head trainer and manager—at the same time he was training heavyweight contender Ken Norton. Norton lost a rematch against Ali less than two weeks after Durham's death. At that point, Norton's managers, Robert Biron and Aaron Rivkind, demanded that Futch choose between training Frazier and Norton, with Futch choosing Frazier.

Mid to late 1960s[link]

Now in his second year, in September 1966 and somewhat green, Frazier won a close decision over rugged contender Oscar Bonavena, despite Bonavena flooring him twice in the second round. A third knockdown in that round would have ended the fight under the three knockdown rule. Frazier rallied and won a decision after 12 rounds. The Machen win followed this contest.

In 1967 Frazier stormed ahead winning all six of his fights, including a sixth-round knockout of Doug Jones and a brutal fourth round (TKO) of Canadian George Chuvalo. No boxer had ever stopped Chuvalo before, but Frazier, despite the stoppage, was unable to floor Chuvalo, who would never be dropped in his career.

By February 1967 Joe had scored 14 wins and his star was beginning to rise. This culminated with his first appearance on the cover of Ring Magazine. In this month he met Ali, who hadn't yet been stripped of his title. Ali said Joe would never stand a chance of "whipping" him, not even in his wildest dreams. Later that year, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his world heavyweight title due to his refusal to be inducted into the military during the Vietnam War.

To fill the vacancy, the New York State Athletic Commission held a bout between Frazier and Buster Mathis, with the winner to be recognized as "World Champion" by the state of New York. Although the fight was not recognized as a World Championship bout by some, Frazier won by a knockout in the 11th round and staked a claim to the Heavyweight Championship. He then defended his claim by beating hard hitting prospect Manuel Ramos of Mexico in two rounds.

He closed 1968 by again beating Oscar Bonavena via a 15-round decision in a hard-fought rematch. Bonavena fought somewhat defensively, allowing himself to be often bulled to the ropes, which let Frazier build a wide points margin. Ring magazine showed Bonavena afterwards with a gruesomely bruised face. It had been a punishing match.

1969 saw Frazier defend his NYSAC title in Texas, beating Dave Zyglewicz, who'd only lost once in 29 fights, by a first-round knockout. Then he beat Jerry Quarry in a 7th round stoppage. The competitive, exciting match with Quarry was named 1969 Ring Magazine fight of the year. Frazier showed he could do a lot more than just slug. He'd used his newly honed defensive skills to slip, bob and weave a barrage of Quarry punches despite Quarry's reputation as an excellent counter punching heavyweight.

Wins World Championship – Ellis[link]

On February 16, 1970, Frazier faced WBA Champion Jimmy Ellis at Madison Square Garden. Ellis had outpointed Jerry Quarry in the final bout of the WBA elimination tournament for Ali's vacated belt. Frazier had himself declined to participate with the WBA tournament to protest their decision to strip Ali. Ellis also held a win over Oscar Bonavena. Beforehand, Ali had announced his retirement and relinquished the Heavyweight title, allowing Ellis and Frazier to fight for the undisputed title. Frazier won by a TKO when Ellis' trainer Angelo Dundee would not let him come out for the 5th round following two 4th round knockdowns (the first knockdowns of Ellis' career). His decisive win over Ellis was a frightening display of power and tenacity.

In his first title defense, Frazier traveled to Detroit to fight World Light Heavyweight Champion Bob Foster, who would go on to set a record for the number of title defenses in the light-heavyweight division. Frazier (26–0) retained his title by twice flooring the hard punching Foster in the second round. The second knock down came on a devastating left hook and Foster could not beat the count. Then came what was hyped as the "Fight Of The Century," his first fight with Muhammad Ali, who had launched a comeback in 1970 after a three year suspension from boxing. This would be the first meeting of two undefeated heavyweight champions (and last until Mike Tyson faced Michael Spinks in 1988), since Ali (31–0) had not lost his title in the ring, but rather been stripped because of his refusal to be inducted in the Armed Forces, some considered him to be the true champion. This fight was to crown the one, true heavyweight champion.

Fight of the Century[link]

On March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden, Frazier and Ali met in the first of their three bouts which was widely called the "Fight of the Century" in pre-bout publicity and the press feeding frenzy.^[17] With a worldwide television audience and an in-house audience that included luminaries such as Frank Sinatra (as a photographer for Life magazine to get a ringside seat), comedian Woody Allen, singer Diana Ross and actors Dustin Hoffman and Burt Lancaster (who served as "color commentator" with fight announcer Don Dunphy), the two undefeated heavyweights met in the kind of media-frenzied atmosphere not seen since Joe Louis' youth.

Several factors came together for Frazier in this fight. He was 27 years old and at his lifetime peak boxing-wise, physically and mentally, while Ali, 29, was coming back from a three-year absence but had kept in training, taking on Frazier three months after a bruising battle with Oscar Bonavena, whom Ali had defeated by a TKO in 15. Joe did his 'homework' training with famed coach Eddie Futch, who had developed a strategy based on Ali's tendency to throw the right-hand uppercut from a straight standing position after dropping the hand in preparation to throw it with force. Futch instructed Frazier to watch Ali's right hand and, at the moment Ali dropped it, to throw a left hook at the spot where they knew Ali's face would be a second later. Frazier's major staggering of Ali in the 11th round and his knock-down of Ali in the 15th were both executed precisely in this way.

In a brutally competitive contest, Frazier lost a number of early rounds but took Ali's combinations without backing down. As Ali started to slow in the middle rounds, Frazier came on strong, landing hard shots to the body as well as the powerful left hooks to the head.

Consequently, Frazier won a clear, 15-round, unanimous decision. Ali was taken to the hospital immediately after the fight to have his badly swollen jaw x-rayed and Frazier spent time in the hospital during the ensuing month, the exertions of the fight having been exacerbated by his existing health problems, such as hypertension and a kidney infection. Some time later he fought a 3-round exhibition against Cleveland Williams.

In 1972, Frazier successfully defended the title twice, beating Terry Daniels and Ron Stander, both by knockout, in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively. It's worth noting Daniels had drawn with Jerry Quarry and Stander had KO'd Earnie Shavers.

Loses title to George Foreman[link]

Ultimately, Frazier lost his undefeated record of 29–0 and his world championship, at the hands of the unbeaten George Foreman on January 22, 1973, in Kingston, Jamaica. Despite Frazier being the overall favorite, Foreman towered 4" over the shorter, more compact champion and soon dominated the brief bout as Frazier came in too open. Two minutes into the first round, Frazier was knocked down. After being knocked down a sixth time referee Arthur Mercante, Sr. stopped the contest. It was the first two knockdowns that were decisive.

Frazier won his next fight, a 12-round tough decision and floored Joe Bugner in London to begin his quest to regain the title. Many felt it was Bugner's best career effort.

Mid 1970s[link]

Frazier's second fight against Ali took place on January 28, 1974, in New York City. In contrast to their previous meeting, the bout was a non-title fight, with Ali winning a clear 12-round unanimous decision.

Five months later, Frazier again battled Jerry Quarry in Madison Square Garden, with a wicked left hook to the ribs by Frazier ending the fight in the fifth round.

In March 1975, Frazier again fought Jimmy Ellis, the man from whom he had originally taken the WBA title, in Melbourne, Australia, knocking him out again in nine rounds. The win again established him as the number one heavyweight challenger for the title that was now held by Ali, following an eighth-round knockout of George Foreman in the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" in October 1974.

Thrilla In Manila[link]

Ali and Frazier met for the third and final time in Quezon City (a district within the metropolitan area of Manila), the Philippines, on October 1, 1975: the "Thrilla in Manila." Ali took every opportunity to mock Frazier, again calling him '"The Gorilla," and generally trying to irritate him.

The fight was far more action-filled than the previous encounter, and was a punishing display on both sides under oppressively hot conditions. During the course of the fight, Ali said to Frazier, "They said you were through, Joe." Frazier's terse reply quickly followed: "They lied, pretty boy." After 14 grueling rounds, Eddie Futch stopped the fight after Frazier was determined to finish the fight despite both eyes being swollen shut. Ali won the battle, but said afterward that it was the closest he ever felt to death.^{[citation needed]}

Foreman again[link]

In 1976, Frazier (32–3) personally wished to retry against George Foreman. With a shaved head for a new image Frazier fought well enough, somewhat more restrained than usual, avoiding walking onto the big shots which he had done in their first match. However, Foreman awaited his moment and then lobbed in one tremendous left hook that lifted Frazier off his feet. After a second knock down it was stopped in the fifth. Joe retired.

Frazier made a cameo appearance in the movie Rocky later in 1976 and dedicated himself to training local boxers in Philadelphia, where he grew up, including some of his own children. He helped train Duane Bobick a while.

Music career[link]

During the late 1970s, Frazier created a soul-funk group called "Joe Frazier and the Knockouts," being mentioned in Billboard and recording a number of singles. Joe toured widely all over the USA and Europe including Ireland where among other places he performed in Donegal and Athy Co Kildare with his band the Knockouts

1980s comeback and coaching career[link]

In 1981, Frazier attempted a comeback. He drew over 10 rounds with hulking Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings in Chicago, Illinois. It was a bruising battle with mixed reviews. He then retired for good.

After that, Frazier involved himself in various endeavors. Among his sons who turned to boxing as a career, he helped train Marvis Frazier, a challenger for Larry Holmes's world heavyweight title and trained his daughter, Jackie Frazier-Lyde, whose most notable fight to date was a close points loss against Laila Ali, the daughter of his rival.

Frazier's overall record was 32 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw, with 27 wins by knockout. He won 73 percent of his fights by knockout, compared to 60 percent for Ali and 84 percent for Foreman. He was a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.

In 1986, Frazier appeared as the "corner man" for Mr. T against Roddy Piper at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum as part of WrestleMania 2. In 1989, Frazier joined Ali, Foreman, Norton and Holmes for the tribute special Champions Forever.

Media appearances[link]

Frazier appeared as himself in an episode of The Simpsons ("Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?") in 1992, in which he was supposed to have been beaten up by Barney Gumble in Moe's Tavern. Frazier's son objected and Frazier was instead shown beating up Gumble and putting him in a trash can. Frazier appeared in another episode of The Simpsons ("Homer's Paternity Coot") in 2006. He appeared on-screen in the 8th series of The Celebrity Apprentice (USA) television show as a guest-attendee at the Silent Auction event held for the season finale (won by Joan Rivers). Frazier appeared as himself in the Academy Award winning 1976 movie, Rocky. Since the debut of the Fight Night series of games, Frazier appeared in Fight Night 2004, Fight Night Round 2, Fight Night Round 3, Fight Night Round 4 and Fight Night Champion, games made by EA Sports.

Autobiography[link]

Frazier released his autobiography in March 1996, entitled Smokin' Joe: The Autobiography of a Heavyweight Champion of the World, Smokin' Joe Frazier. Frazier promoted the book shortly before its release with a memorable appearance on The Howard Stern Show on January 26, 1996.^[18]

Financial issues and legal battles[link]

According to an article from The New York Times, "over the years, Frazier has lost a fortune through a combination of his own generosity and naïveté, his carousing, failed business opportunities, and a deep hatred for his former chief boxing rival, Muhammad Ali. The other headliners from his fighting days — Ali, George Foreman, and Larry Holmes — are millionaires." Asked about his situation, Frazier became playfully defensive, but would not reveal his financial status. "Are you asking me how much money I have?" he said. "I got plenty of money. I got a stack of $100 bills rolled up over there in the back of the room." Frazier blamed himself, partly, for not effectively promoting his own image.

His daughter Jackie Frazier-Lyde is a lawyer and worked on her father’s behalf in pursuit of money which they claimed he was owed in a Pennsylvania land deal. In 1973, Frazier purchased 140 acres in Bucks County, Pennsylvania for $843,000. Five years later, a developer agreed to buy the farmland for $1.8 million. Frazier received annual payments from a trust that bought the land with money he had earned in the ring. When the trust went bankrupt, the payments ceased.

Frazier sued his business partners, claiming that his signature was forged on documents and that he had no knowledge of the sale. In the ensuing years, the land was subdivided and turned into a residential community. The property is now worth an estimated $100 million.^[19]

Relationship with Muhammad Ali[link]

While Ali's characteristic taunts of his opponent began typically enough, after regaining his title, his taunts eventually turned personal. Joe was painted by Ali as the white man's hope and as an "Uncle Tom," interjecting a racial element into an already contentious and controversial series of great bouts. Bryant Gumble joined the pro-Ali, anti-Frazier bandwagon by writing a major magazine article that asked "Is Joe Frazier a white champion with black skin?", and many younger boxing fans who had no issues with Frazier sided with Ali in their feud because of their admiration for Ali's anti-war and anti-racism views (Frazier rarely spoke publicly about social or political issues).

Frazier petitioned U.S. President Richard Nixon to have Ali's right to box reinstated, setting up the whole series of matches. (Frazier had boycotted the 1967 WBA heavyweight elimination tournament to find a successor to Muhammad Ali, after the champion had been stripped of the title.)

After years of remaining bitter, Frazier told Sports Illustrated in May 2009 that he no longer held hard feelings for Ali.^[20]

Ali was among those who attended the private funeral services for Frazier in Philadelphia on November 14, 2011. The Rev. Jesse Jackson gave remarks during the service and at one point asked those in attendance to stand and "show your love." It was reported that Ali stood with the audience and clapped "vigorously."^[21]

Joe Frazier's Gym in Philadelphia

Frazier was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in Beaufort in 2010.^[22]

The New York Daily News editor-in-chief Kevin Convey (on the right) presented Frazier with the Daily News Front Page Award in 2011.

Later years[link]

Frazier lived in Philadelphia where he owned and managed a boxing gym. Frazier put the gym up for sale in mid 2009. He was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. He and his nemesis, Muhammad Ali, alternated over the years between public apologies and public insults.^[23] In 1996, when Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta, Frazier told a reporter that he would like to throw Ali into the fire.^[24] Frazier made millions of dollars in the 1970s, but the article cited mismanagement of real-estate holdings as a partial explanation for his economic woes. Frazier stated repeatedly that he no longer had any bitter feelings towards Ali.

Frazier continued to train young fighters, although he needed multiple operations for back injuries sustained in a car accident. He and Ali reportedly attempted a reconciliation in his final years, but in October 2006 Frazier still claimed to have won all three bouts between the two. He declared to a Times reporter, when questioned about his bitterness toward Ali, "I am what I am."

Frazier attempted to revive his music interests in late 2009/2010 notably popular for singing 'Mustang Sally' both Frazier and manager Leslie R. Wolff teamed up with Welsh Rock Solo artist Jayce Lewis to release his repertoire in the U.K, later visiting the Welshman in U.K to a host a string of After dinner Speeches and music developments, it would notably be Frazier's last U.K appearance.^[25][26]

Death[link]

Frazier was diagnosed with liver cancer in late September 2011. Within a few weeks, the cancer had metastasized. By November 2011, he was under hospice care, where he died on November 7.^[1][27][28] Upon hearing of Frazier's death, Muhammad Ali said, "The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration."^[29][30][31] Frazier's private funeral took place on November 14 at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia and in addition to friends and family was attended by Muhammad Ali, Don King, Larry Holmes, Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman, among others. He was later buried at the Ivy Hill Cemetery, a short drive from the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.^[32][33]

In popular culture[link]

• Some of the most memorable moments in the 1976 boxing-themed feature film, Rocky — such as Rocky's carcass-punching scenes and Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, as part of his training regimen — are taken from Frazier's real-life exploits, for which he received no credit. Though ironically he makes a cameo appearance promoting the fight between Rocky and Apollo. He challenges the latter to a fight.^[34]
• In March 2007, a Joe Frazier action figure was released as part of a range of toys based on the Rocky film franchise, developed by the American toy manufacturer, Jakks Pacific.^[35][36]
• In the Wu-Tang Clan's first single "Protect Ya Neck," Inspectah Deck name-drops Joe Frazier in his opening rhymes.
• On the remix of DJ Khaled's, "I'm So Hood," Lil Wayne raps, "It Go Down Like Frazier And I Aint Talking Kelsey Grammer." This is a reference to Joe Frazier and not the titular character in the television series Frasier.
• As a result of his physical resemblance to Frazier, West Indian cricketer Sir Vivian Richards was nicknamed "Smokin' Joe" or "Smokey" during his youth when he was an amateur boxer in Antigua.
• In the Punch-Out!! series, the character Mr. Sandman is similar to Frazier.

Professional boxing record[link]

32 Wins (27 knockouts, 5 decisions), 4 Losses (3 knockouts, 1 decision), 1 Draw[37]
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Draw	32-4-1	Floyd Cummings	MD	10	03/10/1981	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss	32–4	George Foreman	TKO	5 (12)	15/06/1976	Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, United States	For NABF Heavyweight title. Frazier was knocked down twice in the 5th round.
Loss	32–3	Muhammad Ali	RTD	14 (15)	01/10/1975	Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines	Fight known as The Thrilla in Manila. For The Ring, WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles. 1975 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine. Weigh-in was 5 days in advance of bout.
Win	32–2	Jimmy Ellis	TKO	9 (12)	02/03/1975	St Kilda Junction Oval, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	Fight stopped on advise of Ellis' corner.
Win	31–2	Jerry Quarry	TKO	5 (10)	17/06/1974	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Loss	30–2	Muhammad Ali	UD	12	28/01/1974	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	For NABF Heavyweight title.
Win	30–1	Joe Bugner	PTS	12	02/07/1973	Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London, England, United Kingdom	Bugner down in the 10th round.
Loss	29–1	George Foreman	TKO	2 (15)	22/01/1973	National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica	Lost The Ring, WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles. 1973 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine. Frazier was knocked down three times in the 1st round and three times in the 2nd round.
Win	29–0	Ron Stander	TKO	5 (15)	25/05/1972	Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, United States	Retained The Ring, WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles.
Win	28–0	Terry Daniels	TKO	4 (15)	15/01/1972	Rivergate Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States	Retained The Ring, WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles.
Win	27–0	Muhammad Ali	UD	15	08/01/1971	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Fight known as The Fight of the Century. Retained WBC & WBA & won The Ring Heavyweight titles. 1971 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine. Ali was knocked down in round 15.
Win	26–0	Bob Foster	KO	2 (15)	18/11/1970	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, United States	Retained WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles.
Win	25–0	Jimmy Ellis	TKO	5 (15)	16/02/1970	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Won vacant WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles. Retained NYSAC Heavyweight title.
Win	24–0	Jerry Quarry	TKO	7 (15)	23/06/1969	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Retained NYSAC Heavyweight title. In between rounds 7 and 8 the referee stops the fight because of the bad cut to Quarry's eye. 1969 Fight of the Year by Ring Magazine.
Win	23–0	Dave Zyglewicz	KO	1 (15)	22/04/1969	Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, United States	Retained NYSAC Heavyweight title. This bout was also recognized as being for the World Heavyweight title by Texas as well by IL, PA, ME and MA.
Win	22–0	Oscar Bonavena	UD	15	10/12/1968	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Retained NYSAC Heavyweight title. This bout was also recognized as being for the World Heavyweight title by Texas as well by IL, PA, ME and MA
Win	21–0	Manuel Ramos	TKO	2 (15)	24/06/1968	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Retained NYSAC Heavyweight title. Ramos down twice in the 2nd. Also recognized as being for the World Heavyweight title fight by IL, PA, ME and MA
Win	20–0	Buster Mathis	TKO	11 (15)	04/03/1968	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Won vacant NYSAC heavyweight title. Recognized as World Heavyweight title fight also in IL, PA, ME and MA
Win	19–0	Marion Connor	TKO	3 (10)	18/12/1967	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, United States	Bout was stopped after Connor rose from a knockdown.
Win	18–0	Tony Doyle	TKO	2 (10)	17/10/1967	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	First main event held at the brand new Spectrum.
Win	17–0	George Chuvalo	TKO	4 (10)	19/07/1967	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	16–0	George Johnson	UD	10	04/05/1967	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	15–0	Jefferson Davis	TKO	5 (10)	11/04/1967	Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Win	14–0	Doug Jones	KO	6 (10)	21/02/1967	Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Gate: $46,432, according to wire reports, was the largest gate in the 47 year history of the Arena.
Win	13–0	Eddie Machen	TKO	10 (10)	21/11/1966	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	12–0	Oscar Bonavena	MD	10	21/09/1966	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Frazier was knocked down twice in the 2nd round. On October 6, 1966, Bonavena is stripped of the Argentinian Heavyweight title.
Win	11–0	Billy Daniels	RTD	6 (10)	25/07/1966	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Daniels did not come out for the 7th round. He was knocked down once in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th rounds.
Win	10–0	Memphis Al Jones	KO	1 (10)	26/03/1966	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	9–0	Chuck Leslie	KO	3 (10)	19/05/1966	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	8–0	Don Smith	KO	3 (10)	28/04/1966	Convention Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States	Smith went down in the 1st round from a left hook, and then went down for the count in the 3rd from another left hook.
Win	7–0	Charley Polite	TKO	2 (10)	04/04/1966	Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	6–0	Dick Wipperman	TKO	5 (8)	04/03/1966	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	5–0	Mel Turnbow	KO	1 (8)	17/01/1966	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Turnbow was knocked out by a left hook.
Win	4–0	Abe Davis	KO	1 (8)	11/11/1965	Hotel Philadelphia Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	3–0	Ray Staples	TKO	2 (6)	28/09/1965	Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	2–0	Mike Bruce	TKO	3 (6)	20/09/1965	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Frazier had an "8" count in 1st round.
Win	1–0	Woody Goss	TKO	1 (6)	16/08/1965	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Goss down once. The referee stops the bout due to excess holding from Goss following the knockdown.

See also[link]

• List of heavyweight boxing champions
• List of WBA world champions
• List of WBC world champions
• Notable boxing families

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Hoffer, Richard (November 21, 2011). "Joe Frazier 1944—2011". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1192235/index.htm. Retrieved November 30, 2011. 

External links[link]

	Book: Joe Frazier
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Joe Frazier

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Joe Frazier

• Official Website
• documentary on Joe Frazier
• Official Collection Website
• Official Facebook Fan Page
• Professional boxing record for Joe Frazier from BoxRec
• Sports Reference Profile
• Daily Telegraph Obituary
• Articles at Guardian UK

Earnie Shavers
Statistics
Real name	Earnie Dee Shaver
Nickname(s)	Black Destroyer
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Nationality	American
Born	(1944-08-31) August 31, 1944 (age 67) Garland, Alabama, USA
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	89
Wins	74
Wins by KO	68
Losses	14
Draws	1
No contests	0

Earnie Dee Shaver (born August 31, 1945), better known as Earnie Shavers, is an American former professional boxer. In 2003, he was listed #10 on The Ring's ranking of the 100 greatest punchers of all-time.^[1] Muhammad Ali, Joe Bugner, Larry Holmes, Randall "Tex" Cobb, Ron Lyle and Ken Norton all credited Shavers as being the hardest puncher they had ever faced in the ring.^{[citation needed]}

Shavers began boxing at the age of 22. Two weeks later he won his first fight by a first round knockout, against Jim Daniels. Earnie worked out daily in Warren, Ohio. He was in and out of the top ten ratings over a ten year period.

Shavers was rated number 10 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. His right uppercut and cross were his greatest assets. Angelo Dundee respectfully noted, "He can get you out of there with any shot."

Amateur career[link]

Prior to turning professional, Shavers had a short but notable amateur career. He was the 1969 National AAU Heavyweight Champion.

Early Professional career[link]

Known as the 'Black Destroyer', Shavers compiled an impressive record, winning 44 of his first 47 fights by knockout; mostly against unremarkable opposition. His KO streak included 27 consecutive knockouts. 20 victories were in the first round. He suffered setbacks with losses to Ron Stander and Stan Johnson.

He began to rise through the ranks of the heavyweight division after he hired a Cleveland-based promoter and ex-con named Don King to be his manager. His wins included a novice Jimmy Young who would later become a top contender. Stepping up the class of opposition, he came to public prominence with a first round KO of one time WBA heavyweight champion Jimmy Ellis. His progress was halted when he was KO'd in the first round by 'White Hope' Jerry Quarry which was followed by another loss to a journeyman Bob Stallings. Shavers then had a thunderous match with hard hitting Ron Lyle but was stopped after 6 brutal rounds. He then knocked out hard hitter Howard King and beat Roy Williams in a back and forward battle. The latter Shavers always said was one of the toughest of his whole career.

Shavers vs Ali[link]

Shavers, somewhat past his peak, fought Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden on September 29, 1977.^[2] Ali nicknamed Shavers "The Acorn" because of his shaved bald head, unlike early appearances. The fight was shown in prime time broadcast television by NBC, which rarely did prime time fights (ABC tended to get the Ali fights) and had the judges' scoring announced after each round to help avoid any controversial decision. Ali's cornerman Angelo Dundee had a crony in the dressing room watching the broadcast, and would get signals from his friend on the scoring. In the second round, Shavers hurt Ali badly with an overhand right. Ali exaggerated his motions enough that it seemed he might be play acting and Shavers hesitated. On the scorecard they exchanged rounds. Ali won the fifth decisively. to win the fight Ali had to survive the last three rounds. Shavers, whose stamina was suspect before the fight, came alive in the 13th round. In the 14th, he battered Ali about the ring. Before the 15th, (according to the story by Sports Illustrated's great boxing writer Pat Putnam) 'Ali was on very wobbly legs'.

Realizing Ali needed to last three more minutes, Dundee told him, "You don't look so good. You better go out and take this round." In a furious final round, the two men tagged each other, but Ali closed strongly, nearly dropping Shavers in the last 20 seconds. He won a unanimous decision. The next day, Garden Match Maker Teddy Brenner encouraged Ali to retire by stating the Garden would never make another offer to host an Ali fight. Brenner also thought that Shavers deserved the nod against Ali. The fight made the cover of Sports Illustrated, with "ALI'S DESPERATE HOUR" featuring a photograph of Shavers scoring with an overhand right.^[3] Fight doctor Ferdie Pacheco also urged to Ali to retire after noting the damage Ali had absorbed against Shavers. Ali later said Shavers was the hardest puncher he ever faced, famously stating "Earnie hit me so hard, it shook my kinfolk back in Africa" although Ali had previously used this amusing punch line in reference to various other hard hitting opponents.^[4]

Shavers v Norton/Holmes[link]

In a mandatory title challenge eliminator he knocked out former champion and Ali beater Ken Norton in the first round, possibly the best win of his career.

Shavers then fought for the title against skilled champion Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in Pardise on September 29, 1979, exactly two years after his defeat by Ali. Shavers knocked Holmes down in round seven but was himself knocked out in round eleven after taking punishment. Holmes, known for his ability to take a punch, later said that Shavers' blow was the hardest he had ever taken in his career.

Later career[link]

The Holmes bout was the last big match for Shavers. In 1980, he was knocked out in the seventh round by durable prospect Randall "Tex" Cobb. He never again fought for the world title. In 1982 he fought Joe Bugner, also on the comeback trail. Bugner was knocked down in the first but was stopped by cuts in the second round.

Shavers continued to fight professionally for several years, retiring in 1995 after losing to Brian Yates. Many thought he should have retired after his upset loss to lower contender Bernardo Mercado. Shavers suffered a similar retinal eye surgery as boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.

Fighting style[link]

Shavers was a heavy-handed puncher who stalked his opponents, setting them up for his thunderous right, which was responsible for many of his knockouts. At times lacking grace and accuracy, Earnie had a reputation for exhausting himself before round 7. Critics remarked he rarely won a bout lasting exceeding 8 rounds.In subsequent fights he fought Ali well for 15 rounds and Holmes for 11. Earnie would throw punches against any legal area he could reach, exposed or covered, relying on his tremendous power to wear down his opponents and exploiting any opening. His fighting stance produced a short and powerful image. His chin was his weakness. He could 'box' as well as slug. Notably, he injured his right hand early in a 10 round match against rated fighter Henry Clark and then nearly jabbed Clarke's head off, beating him at his own game as it were, to win on points.

Video and Book[link]

Shavers published a video of highlights of his career in 1992 titled 'Earnie D. Shavers, The hardest One-Punch Hitter', and later an autobiography.

Life after boxing[link]

Shavers during a 2005 interview.

Shavers retired in 1983 after retinal problems were discovered. After retirement, he became an ordained Christian minister and moved to Phoenix, where he preached for many years. He moved to England to pastor a church there in the early 2000s. He has been on the Benny Hinn TV show several times.

During the early 1980s while preparing for the feature film Rocky III, Sylvester Stallone explored the possibility of using a real heavyweight boxer in the role of James "Clubber" Lang by inviting Earnie Shavers to spar with him. Shavers initially refused to hit Stallone with anything other than a soft jab. This frustrated Stallone, who asked Shavers, "C'mon Earnie, show me something real." Earnie responded by punching him once near the liver, forcing an immediate retirement; Stallone later said: "that nearly killed me. I went straight to the men's room and threw up".^[5]

Shavers has visited Ali several times and he says he, Ali, and George Foreman have become very good friends over the years. Shavers accepted the invitation of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International^[6] to preach at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Earnie also works in Liverpool in the UK, as head of security at Hannahs' bar, where he is very much respected. On occasion Shavers was a troubleshooting referee in professional wrestling after his retirement.

He is also a Patron of The Shannon Bradshaw Trust,^[7] a children's charity based in Warrington, Cheshire, helping children with life threatening conditions, and their families.

Earnie speaks to pupils at Barr Beacon Language College in Walsall. Earnie also gave a speech 26 February 2008 at The Streetly School in Walsall, which was based upon helping kids make the right decisions in life.

Personal life[link]

Shavers was married to Laverne Payne and has eight daughters, Tamara, Cynthia, two daughters named Catherine, Carla, Amy, Lisa, Natasha and a son named Earnie Jr.. He also has eleven grandchildren. Shavers was a guest appearance in the Irish TV programme "The Late Late Show" hosted by Ron Lyle where the two fighters discussed their previous bout that had previously happened a month earlier. Shavers was a frequent visitor to the pub "Roddy Bolands" in Dublin. There is a signed picture of Shavers drinking a pint of Guinness hung up on the wall there.

Comeback[link]

Shavers made a short comeback in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After a few wins and losses he retired in 1995 after being KO'd by Brian Yates in round 2.

In 2003, Shavers was ranked number 10 among boxing's greatest punchers in history by Ring Magazine. Shavers was given the title of "Puncher of the Century". Within the sport of boxing, he is widely considered to be the hardest puncher of all time.

Shavers finished his career in 1995 with a record of 74 wins (68 by knockout, 23 inside the first round), 14 losses and 1 draw.

Professional boxing record[link]

74 Wins (68 knockouts, 6 decisions), 14 Losses (7 knockouts, 7 decisions), 1 Draw [1]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Rounds	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	74-14-1	Brian Yates	KO	2 (10)	24/11/1995	Ho-Chunk Casino, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States
Win	74-13-1	Brian Morgan	PTS	8	19/09/1995	Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win	73-13-1	Larry Sims	KO	1 (10)	16/05/1987	Cincinnati Technical College Gymnasium, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Loss	72-13-1	George Chaplin	DQ	9 (10)	01/03/1983	Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Win	72-12-1	Rahim Muhammad	PTS	10	29/01/1983	El Paso, Texas, United States
Win	71-12-1	Tony Perea	KO	7 (10)	05/11/1982	El Paso, Texas, United States
Win	70-12-1	Phil Clinard	TKO	2 (8)	14/10/1982	Duke's Country Nightclub, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win	69-12-1	Chuck Gardner	KO	2 (10)	05/09/1982	Wales, Tulsa, Wisconsin, United States
Loss	68-12-1	Walter Santemore	UD	10	17/08/1982	Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States
Win	68-11-1	Billy Joe Thomas	KO	5 (10)	22/06/1982	Astro Arena, Houston, Tulsa, Texas, United States
Loss	67-11-1	James Tillis	UD	10	11/06/1982	Caesars Palace, Houston, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	67-10-1	Danny Sutton	TKO	7 (10)	15/05/1982	Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Win	66-10-1	Joe Bugner	TKO	2 (10)	08/05/1982	Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas, United States	Bugner down in the first round. Fight stopped due to Bugner's cut
Win	65-10-1	Ali Haakim	PTS	10	22/04/1982	Grand Traverse Hilton, Traverse City, Michigan, United States
Win	64-10-1	Jeff Sims	KO	5 (10)	11/12/1981	Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas	Shavers down in first round.
Win	63-10-1	Mike Rodgers	KO	2 (10)	09/09/1981	Civic Center, Lansing, Michigan, United States
Win	62-10-1	Terrel Williams	KO	2 (10)	29/07/1981	Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan, United States
Win	61-10-1	Ted Hamilton	KO	2 (10)	17/10/1980	Auditorium, West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Loss	60-10-1	Randall Cobb	TKO	8 (10)	02/08/1980	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win	60-9-1	Leroy Boone	UD	10	14/06/1980	Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Loss	59-9-1	Bernardo Mercado	TKO	8 (10)	02/08/1980	Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, United States	Mercado down in the third, and then floored Shavers in the seventh before the stoppage.
Loss	59-8-1	Larry Holmes	TKO	11 (15)	28/09/1979	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	For WBC Heavyweight title. Holmes was down in round 7.
Win	59-7-1	Eddie Parotte	TKO	3 (10)	25/05/1979	Richfield, Ohio, United States
Win	58-7-1	Ken Norton	TKO	1 (12)	23/03/1979	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	57-7-1	Harold Carter	KO	3 (10)	04/12/1978	Saginaw, Michigan, United States
Win	56-7-1	John Girowski	KO	4 (10)	09/10/1978	Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia, United States
Win	55-7-1	Harry Terrell	RTD	2 (10)	20/07/1978	The Dome Civic Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States	Terrell floored twice in the first round. Terrell did not come out for the second.
Loss	54-7-1	Larry Holmes	UD	12	25/03/1978	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Eliminator for WBC Heavyweight title.
Loss	54-6-1	Muhammad Ali	UD	15	29/09/1977	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	For WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles.
Win	54-5-1	Howard Smith	KO	2 (10)	16/04/1977	The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Smith down three times in first round.
Win	53-5-1	Roy Williams	KO	10 (10)	11/12/1976	The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Shavers down in round 10 before stopping Williams.
Win	52-5-1	Henry Clark	TKO	2 (10)	28/09/1976	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States
Win	51-5-1	Henry Clark	PTS	10	28/03/1976	Pavillon de Paris, Paris, France
Win	50-5-1	Tommy Howard	KO	3 (10)	13/11/1975	Howard Johnson's, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss	49-5-1	Ron Lyle	TKO	6 (10)	13/09/1975	Denver, Colorado, United States	Lyle was knocked down in the 2nd, Shavers down in the 6th round.
Win	49-4-1	Oliver Wright	KO	3 (10)	08/05/1975	Steelworkers Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Win	48-4-1	Rochelle Norris	KO	10 (10)	09/04/1975	Binghamton, New York, United States
Win	47-4-1	Leon Shaw	KO	1 (10)	11/02/1975	Orlando, Florida, United States
Draw	46-4-1	Jimmy Young	PTS	10	26/11/1974	Capitol Center, Landover, Maryland, United States
Loss	46–4	Bob Stallings	UD	10	04/11/1974	Felt Forum, New York, New York, United States	Shavers down in 9th round.
Win	46–3	Roy Wallace	KO	1 (10)	16/05/1974	Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, United States
Loss	45–3	Jerry Quarry	TKO	1 (10)	14/12/1973	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	45–2	Jimmy Ellis	KO	1 (10)	18/06/1973	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	44–2	Harold Carter	KO	1 (10)	12/05/1973	Arena, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Win	43–2	Jimmy Young	TKO	3 (10)	19/02/1973	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	42–2	Leroy Caldwell	KO	2 (10)	25/10/1972	High School Gym, Newton Falls, Ohio, United States
Win	41–2	A J Staples	KO	1 (10)	22/09/1972	Moonlight Gardens Ballroom, Canton, Ohio, United States
Win	40–2	Vicente Rondon	UD	10	26/08/1972	Canton, Ohio, United States
Win	39–2	Lou Bailey	KO	2 (10)	05/05/1972	Akron, Ohio, United States
Win	38–2	Bob Felstein	KO	5 (10)	22/04/1972	Akron, Ohio, United States
Win	37–2	Charley Polite	KO	3 (10)	06/04/1972	Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, United States
Win	36–2	Elgie Walters	KO	2 (10)	15/02/1972	Beaumont, Texas, United States
Win	35–2	Ted Gullick	KO	6 (10)	01/02/1972	Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, United States
Win	34–2	Del Morris	KO	3 (10)	30/11/1971	Bryant, Indiana, United States
Win	33–2	Elmo Tex Henderson	KO	4 (10)	29/10/1971	Stateline, Nevada, United States
Win	32–2	Charlie Boston	KO	2 (10)	17/10/1971	Akron, Ohio, United States
Win	31–2	Pat Duncan	KO	5 (10)	28/09/1971	Reno, Nevada, United States	Won USA Nevada State Heavyweight title.
Win	30–2	Richard Pittman	KO	1 (10)	11/08/1971	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	29–2	Bill McMurray	KO	1 (10)	13/07/1971	Sahara Tahoe Hotel, Stateline, Nevada, United States
Win	28–2	Bill Hardney	KO	1 (10)	29/06/1971	Western Reserve Field, Warren, Ohio, United States
Win	27–2	Chuck Leslie	KO	10 (10)	10/06/1971	Sahara Tahoe Hotel, Stateline, Nevada, United States
Win	26–2	Willie Johnson	TKO	4 (10)	24/04/1971	Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, United States
Win	25–2	Mac Harrison	KO	2 (10)	21/04/1971	Akron, Ohio, United States
Win	24–2	Young Agabab	KO	1 (10)	24/03/1971	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	23–2	Steve Carter	TKO	1 (10)	03/03/1971	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Carter down three times.
Win	22–2	Dick Gosha	TKO	5 (10)	17/02/1971	Armory, Akron, Ohio, United States
Win	21–2	Johnny Mac	KO	3 (10)	03/02/1971	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	20–2	Nat Shaver	KO	1 (6)	16/01/1971	Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Win	19–2	Lee Estes	KO	2 (8)	06/01/1971	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	18–2	Jim Carefelli	KO	2 (10)	11/12/1970	Austintown Fitch High School Gym, Youngstown, Ohio, United States
Win	17–2	Bunky Akins	KO	1 (6)	07/12/1970	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	16–2	Johnny Mac	TKO	4 (8)	18/11/1970	Austintown Fitch High School Gym, Youngstown, Ohio, United States
Win	15–2	John Hudgins	KO	1 (6)	14/10/1970	Canton, Ohio, United States
Win	14–2	Don Branch	KO	1 (6)	12/09/1970	Cooper Arena, Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win	13–2	Jim Daniels	KO	1 (6)	29/08/1970	Austintown Fitch High School Gym, Youngstown, Ohio, United States
Loss	12–2	Ron Stander	KO	5 (8)	11/05/1970	Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win	12–1	Frank Smith	KO	4 (6)	14/04/1970	Canton, Ohio, United States
Win	11–1	Ron Asher	KO	1 (8)	23/03/1970	Fitch High Gym, Youngstown, Ohio, United States
Win	10–1	Art Miller	KO	1 (6)	06/03/1970	Canton, Ohio, United States
Win	9–1	Abe Brown	TKO	5 (6)	27/01/1970	Orlando, Florida, United States
Win	8–1	Joe Byrd	KO	3 (6)	24/01/1970	Canton, Ohio, United States
Win	7–1	Abe Brown	KO	1 (6)	07/01/1970	Akron, Ohio, United States
Win	6–1	Gene Idelette	KO	1 (6)	26/12/1969	Orlando, Florida, United States
Win	5–1	Chico Froncano	KO	1 (6)	18/12/1969	Canton, Ohio, United States
Win	4–1	J D McCauley	KO	2 (6)	04/12/1969	Akron, Ohio, United States
Win	3–1	Lee Roy	KO	3 (6)	21/11/1969	Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
Loss	2–1	Stan Johnson	UD	6	13/11/1969	Arena, Seattle, Washington, United States
Win	2–0	George Holden	KO	1 (6)	11/11/1969	Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, United States
Win	1–0	Silas Howell	KO	2 (6)	06/11/1969	Akron, Ohio, United States