Shavers said in an interview that Tyson avoided him during the 80's and 90's, because Tyson's trained didn't want him to fight power punchers. That's also the reason why Tyson ducked Big George Foreman. I think Shavers hits easily three times as hard as Buster Douglas, who had no problems knocking Tyson out. The weakness of Earnie however is that he was always a slow starter. Lyle and Quarry could take him out within the first two rounds and that's why they beat him. I say it again, if Larry Holmes wouldn't have woke up through the crash of his head with the ring floor when he recieved that killer punch from Shavers right hand, Earnie would've knocked him out and would rate much higher nowadays as a fighter. Earnie is very underrated and would've take Lyle out within 6 rounds, if the fight would've gone on. The problem is that Mike is a very hard hitter, much faster than Earnie and a very fast starter. When someone could take Earnie early out, than it's Tyson. After 8 rounds, Earnie would take Tyson out with one killer punch to the head, but Tyson wouldn't let Earnie go in the first rounds. An overhelmed, unprepaired, slow-starting and shocked Shavers would get knocked out by Tyson within the first two rounds. It's all about Shavers weakness of being a slow starter.
Tyson by 2nd round KO
BQ: Shavers hit harder. He dropped Larry Holmes with one single blow to the head. Tyson needed more than one shot to drop Larry. Plus Holmes said that Shavers hit harder and both were in their prime when he fought them.
I would go with a prime Tyson. Shavers would have a punchers chance of course. Tyson was all around more complete. The both contestants had stamina issues. Tyson was better defensively and quicker. Tyson would win on an early to mid rounds knockout. If this was a distance fight both would drop from exhaustion.
Shavers is the hardest hitting heavyweight of all time. Tyson was better skilled (when he was young, had the right staff, trainer, and trained). Unlike Mike, Shavers was a hard hitter but he wasn't a good finisher and had a suspect chin. Shavers skills were OK, not mediocre, but not above average neither. Also, he gassed quick for some reason. I think Tyson would win within 3 or 4 rounds unless Shavers doesn't fear him and fights him wisely because after the 6th round, Mike is gassed and has a lower punch output which makes him vulnerable to being knocked out because of his exhaustion (Shavers was not that intelligent in the ring or great so its unlikely he would fight Mike in a wise fashion) I definitely think Tyson would win in a prime for prime match by tko or ko (peek a boo style, very fast and hungry, fought really well, and used combinations instead of relying on bombs, trained, focused, and had a good defense)
Shavers hit Far Harder than Tyson. but in a fight Tyson KO 3-4 Shavers. his is Faster,Better Chin,Footwork,Jab.
Shavers hit harder.
I think Tyson would have his hands full with Shavers. He might overwhelm him early in the fight as many suggest, but I doubt it. Shavers fought in a golden age against very tough competition. Tyson fought in a much easier time, and struggled against many.
I will go against the crowd here.....Shaver hit harder, and Shavers wins in the middle rounds.
Shaver's punch might have been harder, but in a fight Tyson would win with hand speed, combinations and his power punches too. Tyson had the better chin also.
Shavers had the harder punch, but he probably would not beat Tyson. Earnie could not beat the elite fighters of his day, in spite of his power.
On average id slightly leans toward Shavers for power, but Tyson would of destroyed him, with his speed.
Mike Tyson by far
Who had a stronger PSI(pounds per square inch) when punching, punching power? Mike Tyson or Earnie Shavers?
