The Earnie Shavers vs George Chuvalo fight

[sweetviolenturge]

Several years ago while in Canastota for the HOF weekend, a dealer at the annual boxing memorabilia show had a poster for a fight scheduled between Shavers & Chuvalo. It was billed as "The Irresistible Force vs The Immovable Object".
The poster was georgious & I really wanted it for my collection, but, unfortunately, the dealer had it priced too high for my budget that day. So, I didn't buy it. I think he was asking $100 or more. I've been kicking myself ever since then though because I've never seen another copy of it.
And, to make matters worse, I don't remember the details other than that I think it was scheduled for sometime in the latter half of the '70s & that the city might have been Cleveland.
Obviously, the contest never took place, but does anyone out there know the details & why the fight was cancelled & never re-scheduled?
I'd love to know what happened, but I've never been able to find any info about it.

[Cutman Scabbers]

Would like to see that poster!

[Cutman Scabbers]

Apparently this fight could not take place because it was a paradox.

[BoxBuzz]

Apparently this fight could not take place because it was a paradox.

Pretty sure Carl Sagan intervened.

It would have spelled Armageddon.

[Cutman Scabbers]

Apparently this fight could not take place because it was a paradox.

Pretty sure Carl Sagan intervened.

It would have spelled Armageddon.

Yes -- could have caused a rift in the space-time continuum.

Bless our stars for Carl Sagan!

[Syntax Error]

Shavers would have collapsed from exhaustion trying to knock Chuvalo out!

[Caractacus]

The Shavers vrs Chuvalo fight was I think suppose to have been the first HBO live coast to coast Boxing event in June 1973.
Which was originally suppose to be Oscar Bonavena vrs Jerry Quarry.
(then Quarry vrs Shavers before Quarry got ill)
But Chuvalo pulled out due to an injury and Ellis fought Shavers live on HBO.

[Kalan]

I believe Chuvalo would have won this matchup in the same way Ron Stander and Ron Lyle beat Shavers... Stander was very slow and a terrible boxer.. What he had for a while was a very strong chin.. He absorbed everything Shavers could throw... Stander finally got a big opening and hurt Shavers. Ernie started pulling in his horns.. It was a matter of time before Stander brutally knocked Shavers out cold...

BTW Jerry Quarry knocked Shavers out in the 1st round.. Quarry performed as though he would stop Chuvalo as well.. Jerry laid some heavy bombs on Chuvalo, until his head was grotesquely swollen from brutal left hooks.. Chuvalo absorbed all of them and started ripping out Quarry's body.. Chuvalo landed a light left hook to the top of Quarry's head that seemed to have almost nothing on it. Quarry stumbled back several steps and fell down, more off balance than hurt.. He got up immediately at the count of 1 - but immediately took a knee again because he thought he heard somebody in his corner say "take 9" ... Why they would say that makes no sense to me -- Quarry was coming on when he stumbled.. Quarry said he screwed up -- instead of taking 9 he took 10. He was trying to quickly readjust his mouth piece as the count was tolled by the referee.

[writehooks]

I was honored to co-author George's 2013 autobiography (Chuvalo: A Fighter's Life), in which he details some bizarre events in the lead-up to the signed showdown with Shavers -- including being offered a hefty bribe by a member of the Cleveland underworld to let Earnie knock him out. And yes, the poster for the bout is absolutely stunning: an orange-on-white design overlaid with charcoal sketches of both fighters. George has been told there are less than a dozen of the original posters known to exist, and we each have one of them. I am currently working in China, but will post a photo of the poster when I return to Canada for a vacation in September.

[Tuan_Jim]

I was honored to co-author George's 2013 autobiography (Chuvalo: A Fighter's Life), in which he details some bizarre events in the lead-up to the signed showdown with Shavers -- including being offered a hefty bribe by a member of the Cleveland underworld to let Earnie knock him out. And yes, the poster for the bout is absolutely stunning: an orange-on-white design overlaid with charcoal sketches of both fighters. George has been told there are less than a dozen of the original posters known to exist, and we each have one of them. I am currently working in China, but will post a photo of the poster when I return to Canada for a vacation in September.

I would love to see that!

[Cutman Scabbers]

Earnie Shavers with George Chuvalo's chin -- now that's a fighter I'd like to see!

[Kalan]

That was Oliver McCall; except he was bigger and stronger... Shavers wasn't always knocked out in every loss -- he lost a few decisions also.

[Cutman Scabbers]

That was Oliver McCall; except he was bigger and stronger... Shavers wasn't always knocked out in every loss -- he lost a few decisions also.

Ha ha! Nice. But McCall wasn't as big of a puncher as Shavers, was he?

[BoxBuzz]

Isn't it fair to say that both Joe and George would have ended up KOing GC if not for the merciful officiating of the refs?

Not that that's anything to dismiss....both being devastating punchers.

[Kalan]

That was Oliver McCall; except he was bigger and stronger... Shavers wasn't always knocked out in every loss -- he lost a few decisions also.

Ha ha! Nice. But McCall wasn't as big of a puncher as Shavers, was he?

McCall was a bigger puncher than Shavers... Much bigger and stronger... He KO'd Lennox Lewis and Henry Akinwande with one shot each... They had never been down before in their lives and were huge and tough Heavyweights... That was the only knockdown or stoppage of Akinwande's career although he lost by DQ to Lewis.

When Shavers hit big hittable guys like Stander, Mercado, Cobb, Stallings, and Ali with his best shot they didn't go... OM ended your night if he got you good

[Tuan_Jim]

That was Oliver McCall; except he was bigger and stronger... Shavers wasn't always knocked out in every loss -- he lost a few decisions also.

Ha ha! Nice. But McCall wasn't as big of a puncher as Shavers, was he?

McCall was a bigger puncher than Shavers... Much bigger and stronger... He KO'd Lennox Lewis and Henry Akinwande with one shot each... They had never been down before in their lives and were huge and tough Heavyweights... That was the only knockdown or stoppage of Akinwande's career although he lost by DQ to Lewis.

When Shavers hit big hittable guys like Stander, Mercado, Cobb, Stallings, and Ali with his best shot they didn't go... OM ended your night if he got you good

Wow, Oliver McCall a bigger puncher than Earnie Shavers now? Makes you wonder how Shavers decked a prime Holmes and McCall couldn't knock down a fat 45 year old Holmes who came within a point of beating him.

[Kalan]

McCall defeated Holmes... Shavers was badly routed by Holmes in their 1st fight -- and Shavers got knocked out by Holmes in their rematch.

Why didn't Shavers knock Holmes down in their first 12-round fight??? He never caught him with a clean shot... Why didn't McCall KO Holmes??? ... He never hit him with a clean shot.. If you're going to get somebody out it helps if you hit them real good.. Remember this technical detail.

But McCall got Larry with enough grazing shots to beat him... Why didn't Shavers knock Holmes out like Mike Tyson did??? ... Well...he hits real hard and landed a real clean shot on Holmes... He landed with better leverage than Tyson got on Holmes... He just couldn't hit as hard.

[Flump]

Earnie Shavers with George Chuvalo's chin -- now that's a fighter I'd like to see!

Wow, that guy would be seriously avoided!

[Kalan]

NOPE... Chuvalo chin and Shavers punch???? ... Bob Stallings would still beat him... Shavers couldn't hurt Stallings with his best shot and lost the D.

Bot Stallings was a terrible boxer. In his 38th fight he fought Willie Moore.. Moore was a 194-pounder with a 2-1 record at the time.. He knocked Stallings cold... I thought that was interesting because Shavers couldn't stop Stallings. Willie more finished his career at 3-5 with 2 KO wins... That's a 25% KO ratio.

[sweetviolenturge]

I was honored to co-author George's 2013 autobiography (Chuvalo: A Fighter's Life), in which he details some bizarre events in the lead-up to the signed showdown with Shavers -- including being offered a hefty bribe by a member of the Cleveland underworld to let Earnie knock him out. And yes, the poster for the bout is absolutely stunning: an orange-on-white design overlaid with charcoal sketches of both fighters. George has been told there are less than a dozen of the original posters known to exist, and we each have one of them. I am currently working in China, but will post a photo of the poster when I return to Canada for a vacation in September.

Thanks so much for the info. It's REALLY appreciated.
I've been trying to remember the details for years now. Which I'm happy to finally have.
Of course, now I'm kicking myself for not buying that poster! I can't believe it's so damned rare.

[sweetviolenturge]

NOPE... Chuvalo chin and Shavers punch???? ... Bob Stallings would still beat him... Shavers couldn't hurt Stallings with his best shot and lost the D.

Bot Stallings was a terrible boxer. In his 38th fight he fought Willie Moore.. Moore was a 194-pounder with a 2-1 record at the time.. He knocked Stallings cold... I thought that was interesting because Shavers couldn't stop Stallings. Willie more finished his career at 3-5 with 2 KO wins... That's a 25% KO ratio.

My friend, let me tell you something. As someone who has been around the fight game since 1978 as an amateur & pro boxer, a longtime sparring partner for men like Hector Camacho, both Matthew & Davey Hilton, Louis Howard, Ralph Racine & many others, a cornerman & who's worked as an assistant to promoters like Don Elbaum, Don King, Mike Acri, the Duvas etc., etc. SHIT HAPPENS in this sport. Yes, sometimes quite literally.
If it can happen, it does.
ESPECIALLY when it comes to journeymen/trail horse fighters like a Bob Stallings. Sometimes they show up in shape & determined & on any given night under the right circumstances they can beat some of the best fighters in the world. Or, at least give a good account of themselves or take a big puncher the distance. And... sometimes that same fighter shows up against another clubfighter & folds like an accordion in the first round. I've seen it more times than I can count.
Take someone like Jim Henry. A welterweight opponent who got stopped several times by average guys like Jimmy Corkum & who then went up to middleweight & took a future all-time great killer in Marvin Hagler the full 10 rounds. Or Curtis Ramsey, who fought from lightweight to middleweight & regularly got sparked by guys like Andy Ganigan & Sal Lopez, but then takes bigger foes like Donald Curry & Tony Ayala Jr. all 10 rounds in fairly competitive fights.
Then there was poor Leon Spinks getting KO'd inside a round by pro debuting novice John Carlo.
And my late great friend Emile Griffith being absolutely robbed in Germany against Eckhard Dagge for the WBC '54 pound world title & then, less than a year later being upset by a kid with a 2-3 pro record in Mayfield Pennington.

[Kalan]

NOPE... Chuvalo chin and Shavers punch???? ... Bob Stallings would still beat him... Shavers couldn't hurt Stallings with his best shot and lost the D.

Bot Stallings was a terrible boxer. In his 38th fight he fought Willie Moore.. Moore was a 194-pounder with a 2-1 record at the time.. He knocked Stallings cold... I thought that was interesting because Shavers couldn't stop Stallings. Willie Moore finished his career at 3-5 with 2 KO wins... That's a 25% KO ratio.

My friend, let me tell you something. As someone who has been around the fight game since 1978 as an amateur & pro boxer, a longtime sparring partner for men like Hector Camacho, both Matthew & Davey Hilton, Louis Howard, Ralph Racine & many others, a cornerman & who's worked as an assistant to promoters like Don Elbaum, Don King, Mike Acri, the Duvas etc., etc. poo HAPPENS in this sport. Yes, sometimes quite literally.
If it can happen, it does.
ESPECIALLY when it comes to journeymen/trail horse fighters like a Bob Stallings. Sometimes they show up in shape & determined & on any given night under the right circumstances they can beat some of the best fighters in the world. Or, at least give a good account of themselves or take a big puncher the distance. And... sometimes that same fighter shows up against another clubfighter & folds like an accordion in the first round. I've seen it more times than I can count.
Take someone like Jim Henry. A welterweight opponent who got stopped several times by average guys like Jimmy Corkum & who then went up to middleweight & took a future all-time great killer in Marvin Hagler the full 10 rounds. Or Curtis Ramsey, who fought from lightweight to middleweight & regularly got sparked by guys like Andy Ganigan & Sal Lopez, but then takes bigger foes like Donald Curry & Tony Ayala Jr. all 10 rounds in fairly competitive fights.
Then there was poor Leon Spinks getting KO'd inside a round by pro debuting novice John Carlo.
And my late great friend Emile Griffith being absolutely robbed in Germany against Eckhard Dagge for the WBC '54 pound world title & then, less than a year later being upset by a kid with a 2-3 pro record in Mayfield Pennington.

That's so true isn't it? ... Like when Light Heavyweight Champion Jose Torres boxed an exhibition with a raw amateur novice and got stretched out cold.. if a punch hits your chin it doesn't matter who's throwing it.. What matters is how accurate is it, how much force is behind it, and how fast it's traveling.. I was playing center field in too tight when a leaguer went over my head.. I was embarrassed because I would have caught it if I were better positioned.. a runner on first was going to score.. I ran the ball down all the way to the fence and fired at the plate, probably the best, deepest, and fastest throw I ever made. Our catcher nabbed it chest high and put the runner out in one motion. It's like landing a perfect KO punch that you feel in your feet -- or heaving a full court shot with a half second to go and swishing it.. Everybody has their personal highlight reel in their head even the 3-5 guy like Willie Moore. He'll never forget icing Stallings because Stallings beat Shavers.

[Cygnus475]

Shavers definitely hit harder than tyson. The difference was Tyson had far better technique, knew how to put 3-4-5 punch combinations together, and knew how to methodically and systematically finish a guy when he was hurt. Shavers had nearly all of his opponents hurt but let some of them off the hook due to poor technique or gassing out.

In short, Tyson was a "fluid" and "efficient" puncher like a well oiled machine explosive and vibrant whereas punchers like shavers were more like crude battering rams with a one track mind. Solid power that thuds.

Joe Louis would be like the first type and max baer is more like the second type. Max might have hit harder with each individual shot but joe's leverage and timing combined with his power and accuracy made certain the opponent wouldn't get up.

Both Chuvalo and Holmes made pretty much the same analogy comparing explosive sluggers like tyson, frazier, Dempsey and big lumbering clubbers like foreman, vitali, lyle, or shavers. A speeding car going 60 mph or a truck going 40 mph. In other words, pick your poison.

[Tuan_Jim]

McCall defeated Holmes... Shavers was badly routed by Holmes in their 1st fight -- and Shavers got knocked out by Holmes in their rematch.

Why didn't Shavers knock Holmes down in their first 12-round fight??? He never caught him with a clean shot... Why didn't McCall KO Holmes??? ... He never hit him with a clean shot.. If you're going to get somebody out it helps if you hit them real good.. Remember this technical detail.

But McCall got Larry with enough grazing shots to beat him... Why didn't Shavers knock Holmes out like Mike Tyson did??? ... Well...he hits real hard and landed a real clean shot on Holmes... He landed with better leverage than Tyson got on Holmes... He just couldn't hit as hard.

My god the mental acrobatics you have to employ to make your 'points' must be agonising.

Holmes cites Shavers as the hardest puncher he fought. He has Cooney and Tyson up there too. He never even mentions McCall's power, for reasons obvious to everyone except yourself.

[Kalan]

Mike Tyson was a much harder puncher than Shavers and so were a 100 other boxers... Shavers wasn't very big or strong for one thing... When he hit the huge Cobb.. Stander.. Mercado.. Stallings.. Quarry.. Lyle.. Holmes.. Haakim.. Ali.. Rondon.. and others he couldn't KO them.

Anthony Joshua has no problems stopping folks... He gets everyone out... He's a lot bigger, stronger, and faster.. so therefore he punches much harder.