BoxRec

EARNIE SHAVERS is making a comeback at age 62 - in an exhibition bout of white collar boxing at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park on May 13.

"I'll show the young guys how it's done," said the big-punching American legend.

Mirror Newspaper

Last year we had Joe Frazier back in the ring
http://www.boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53522

Shavers has been working as a bouncer in Liverpool hasn't he?

Bet he still hits like a truck

Lenny Albert wrote:Shavers has been working as a bouncer in Liverpool hasn't he?

From what I have heard it is more of a meeter-greeter type role at Yate's.

I'd still fancy him against Audley or Danny Williams... :)

I hope its just an exhibition, I have his last fight against a Mr Yates and he was blown out in the 2nd round, and that was over 10 years ago...

Wow that's strange...today I was just looking at his career and thought his comeback in 1987 against Sims was nothing but random, and his second one in 1995 was even worse, being 50 years old and losing to a 21 year old. If he makes a comeback now he stands no chance against anyone. His body just couldn't possibly produce what it used to...

I'm surprised he was allowed to make the few comebacks that he did, because I remember watching him fight Tex Cobb on tv and everyone was talking how Shavers had a detached retina or something to that extent; ironic he was supposed to fight Gerry Cooney instead of Cobb, but Cooney was injured in training or something----Shavers lost by TKO in the 8th round. Was sloppy, but entertaining, but sad because Cobb was nothing more than an arm puncher (didnt put his weight behind punches) and a glorified human anvil.

I think these old timers are being inspired from Rocky Balboa. But I will say this, I think anyone at any age could win a fight or two, if they are matched perfectly. Take the 'Kentucky Rosebud', he fought on until he was 65 or in his 70's.

But as far as a legit comeback....only two older guys I see being able to pull it off are George Foreman and Larry Holmes. Shavers is too shopworn.

I dont even think Shavers should be boxing exhibitions, his left eye is out of aliginement, which means he probably has little vision in it and his speech isnt that clear, no doubt he's still a strong guy but his body is just too battered to take anymore punishment, I mean for christsakes, anyone encouraging a 60+ man to fight again should be shot imo, look what happened to Jerry Quarry, havent these people got any shame?.

I've spoke to Earnie personally once or twice. Hes a smart guy, knows his limitations. This will be a play spar exhibition like the Joe Frazier one, nothing remotely hard im sure.

Your right though, his speech is quite poor, but super nice guy, very entertaining to listen to.

This all makes me pose the question, well two questions actually, the first question is if Shavers does make a genuine comeback who out there at HW is he capable of beating? Number two, of any of the old timers, who do you think could pull off the superior comeback, that is if they did come back?

Shavers took A LOT of hard head shots during his career. That strikes out to me as I think about it. The two Holmes fights alone, not to mention his wars with Lyle, Ali, and Roy Williams, plus all of his other fights.

Thank God he hasn't turned out worst.

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:This all makes me pose the question, well two questions actually, the first question is if Shavers does make a genuine comeback who out there at HW is he capable of beating? Number two, of any of the old timers, who do you think could pull off the superior comeback, that is if they did come back?

Shavers would be hardpressed to beat any even semie decent heavy now, as was shown when he lost to Yates 10 years ago... someone like Holmes or Foreman would have more of a chance because they have taken less punishment during their careers and are 'cleverer' fighters than Shavers, but I doubt even they would be too successful at 60+... its just too old, the bodys not made to take punishment at that age and by that age punch resistance and reflexes will have pretty much disapeared long into the sunset.... Holmes would probably have the savvy to do the best, ...but I hope he doesnt try...

dempseyfire wrote:Shavers took A LOT of hard head shots during his career. That strikes out to me as I think about it. The two Holmes fights alone, not to mention his wars with Lyle, Ali, and Roy Williams, plus all of his other fights.

Thank God he hasn't turned out worst.

True, but he seems to have all his wits about him and is a very nice guy, ...I just hope he's not persuaded to do anything silly at this stage of his life... actually he was probably lucky to get blown out in just 2 in his fight against Yates, rather than taking a long beating like Quarry did in his last fight...

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:This all makes me pose the question, well two questions actually, the first question is if Shavers does make a genuine comeback who out there at HW is he capable of beating? Number two, of any of the old timers, who do you think could pull off the superior comeback, that is if they did come back?

Mate, Earnie had nothing left a decade or so ago. Have a look at that home video that is easily obtainable of his 'fight' with that very limited fellow Yates and you may see what I mean.

There is no one in the top 100, Shavers could possibly beat other than with a fluke haymaker landing in round 1. You wouldn't want to risk a blokes life on a 10,000 to 1 chance. This is real life, Rupert, not Rocky Balboa.

If this is anything other than a very soft tap tap session, the organisers want locking up.

Collins2000 wrote:

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:This all makes me pose the question, well two questions actually, the first question is if Shavers does make a genuine comeback who out there at HW is he capable of beating? Number two, of any of the old timers, who do you think could pull off the superior comeback, that is if they did come back?

Mate, Earnie had nothing left a decade or so ago. Have a look at that home video that is easily obtainable of his 'fight' with that very limited fellow Yates and you may see what I mean.

There is no one in the top 100, Shavers could possibly beat other than with a fluke haymaker landing in round 1. You wouldn't want to risk a blokes life on a 10,000 to 1 chance. This is real life, Rupert, not Rocky Balboa.

If this is anything other than a very soft tap tap session, the organisers want locking up.

Most definately... what worries me about Shavers is that his style is unsuited to exhibitions... its not as if he's going to be moving about thowing little jabs and blocking, he was always about getting stuck in and making war... thats not a style that fits in easily with a pitter pat exhibition, especially when he's 62... unless he's going in with someone of the same age with less fitness than himself (such as Frazier did recently) then I dont like the sound of this... I just hope he hasnt been watching Rocky Balboa!... :x

dempseyfire wrote:Shavers took A LOT of hard head shots during his career. That strikes out to me as I think about it. The two Holmes fights alone, not to mention his wars with Lyle, Ali, and Roy Williams, plus all of his other fights.

Thank God he hasn't turned out worst.

Not to mention the absolute one sided one round battering Jerry Quarry gave him back in 73

That's not what I meant at all. I dont honestly expect Shavers to do anything extraordinary out of this 'come back'. I dont think he could beat anyone worth much of anything at this point---but hell look at Hearns, he made comeback at Cruiserweight and beat some guys who were in their 40's.

If SHavers was to make a legit comeback it would be against guys near his own age; Tony Tubbs, Danny Wofford. Don't they have the 'Legends of Boxing' title, last I remember Larry Holmes won that a few years back over Bonecrusher Smith or Mike Weaver.

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:That's not what I meant at all. I dont honestly expect Shavers to do anything extraordinary out of this 'come back'. I dont think he could beat anyone worth much of anything at this point---but hell look at Hearns, he made comeback at Cruiserweight and beat some guys who were in their 40's.

If SHavers was to make a legit comeback it would be against guys near his own age; Tony Tubbs, Danny Wofford. Don't they have the 'Legends of Boxing' title, last I remember Larry Holmes won that a few years back over Bonecrusher Smith or Mike Weaver.

Fighting in your 40's is a lot different to fighting in your 60's, Rupert.

I think the new Rocky movie has misled you again, mate. Stallone is a 60 year old ACTOR, remember.

Shavers has no buisness in the ring unless its some kind of waltz.
The man is 62 years old, theres not gonna be any comeback .

I'm sure this is just going to be a very gentle play/spar.

Nothing more and I'm sure there will be no official comeback.

Did it happen?

He fights next Saturday at the Olympia and it's all systems go as far I know. There's a lot of ex pros on the bill but I don't know whether its an exhibition or not.

Jesus, I hope this is some sort of joke, I have Shavers last fight on dvd (when he was 52) when he got blown out in 2 rounds by someone who wouldnt have even been able to spar with the man when he was at his prime... anyone encouraging Earnie back into the ring even for an 'exhibition' should be ashamed of themselves.....

I won't judge Earnie for making a 'comeback' whether its exhibition or not. It's his life and hell we only go around once. Imagine if the greatest thing in your life was all but taken away from you, what you ate, drank, slept, dreamed. That's the life of a boxer after it's all done and gone.

Hopefully Earnie won't get hurt, and that's what we should be hoping for. I say let the old fornicator have his day in the lime light. Who are we to judge? We're just spectators, we dont know the lonliness of the ring.

HomicideHenry wrote:I won't judge Earnie for making a 'comeback' whether its exhibition or not. It's his life and hell we only go around once. Imagine if the greatest thing in your life was all but taken away from you, what you ate, drank, slept, dreamed. That's the life of a boxer after it's all done and gone.

Hopefully Earnie won't get hurt, and that's what we should be hoping for. I say let the old fornicator have his day in the lime light. Who are we to judge? We're just spectators, we dont know the lonliness of the ring.

I'm not judging Earnie, I love the guy, but sometimes people need to be saved from themselves... your argument could apply to Jerry Quarry and Greg Page among others, but think how much suffering and heartache both they and their families would have been spared had they not been allowed to take their last few fights....