BoxRec

Liston wins.

He wins in almost ALL areas.

Power - Shavers (He's been credited as to hit harder and had more Knockouts)

Chin - Liston (Shavers had a glass chin, and got beat by Quarry in 1 round. Liston was legitimately KO'd once when he was sick and old)

Accuracy - Liston (Liston had an 84 inch, fast killing jab that almost always landed because it was so long and precise, Shavers missed a-lot of punches and didn't correct himself)

Stamina - Liston (Liston paced himself and could go the distance, Shavers didn't and wore out very quickly in most of his fights)

Boxing Skills - Liston (Shavers was only a puncher with little skill really, Liston had good punching/boxing skills, set up good combinations)

Reach - Liston (Had an 84 inch reach whilst Shavers had a 79 inch reach)

Shavers may have been more powerful, but it's not by much. Liston was 218lbs in his prime and had a KILLER jab, the best of all time, he could jab and had accuracy, so he'd land more punches. He paced himself and kept a calm jab, he could set people up to a good combination and get his jab, hooks etc all accurate. He also had a better chin and could take damage. Shavers will get shaky and he doesn't cover his chin, considering Liston has a longer reach, more accuracy, more stamina, better set up of skills, he'll get his chin shot in round 3. With the first 2 rounds going slow.

Liston KO3.

As for the debate on who hit harder between Liston and Foreman; I read an article many years ago in Ring magazine that talked about Scrap Iron Johnson and the great punchers he had faced. Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman.

I remember Scrap Iron stated that Liston hit him the hardest. I was a tad surprised expecting him to say George Foreman.

I agree with much of this.
However, Shavers did not have a glass jaw. True, not an iron jaw, not as good of a chin as Liston, but not a glass jaw.

Shavers would have a serious puncher's chance, but that would be about it.

No matter who wins or even how long it lasts.
I think everyone can agree that it would be a fun fight

HomicideHenry wrote:Shavers, in my view, is probably the most over-rated heavyweight contender of the 70s. Outside of that power, he had very little else--- his stamina was horrid, he cut easy, he had a weak chin, and his skills were average at best.

Liston, would of effed his world up. Two hits from that jack hammer jab of Sonny's and Shavers head would of been knocked back, and Liston would of finished him with a straight right, right on the jaw. Liston hit harder than Foreman did, which goes to say something.

Shavers hits hard enough that he has a chance against anybody that ever lived, but Liston took a good shot, and was the superior boxer in every conceivable way over Shavers.

I figure Sonny Liston stops Shavers inside 3 or 4 rounds.

liston in 4 or 5 rds

Sonny would beat the crap out of Earnie.