![]() ![]() “When I first walked into the gym back in 1967, it was in Youngstown, Ohio,” he recalled. And in a dose of hope for prospective knockout artists, the Alabama-born Shavers doesn’t count his power as a natural gift. Those knockouts cemented Shavers’ place in boxing history, and if he’s not given recognition as the biggest heavyweight puncher to ever step between the ropes, he’s certainly in the top five. It was the last time Shavers would challenge for a title, but he would go on to fight several more years until a final loss to Brian Yates in 1995, ending his stellar career with a 74-14-1 record that included a remarkable 68 wins by knockout. “Larry got up and he wasn’t happy,” laughed Shavers, who was stopped by Holmes in the 11th round. But by the count of five, Holmes rose to his feet. Shavers had a shotgun in his right hand, and in round seven, he fired it, Holmes dropping to the canvas with such finality that it seemed like referee Davey Pearl would be able to count to a hundred. He had an unbelievable jab and a good right hand too, and I knew it would be hard to beat Larry unless I had a shotgun.” “I had Larry for as a sparring partner for quite some time. “I knew when I fought Larry, it was gonna be tough,” Shavers said. ![]()
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