AMERICAN boxer Earnie Shavers who fought Muhammad Ali has died aged 78.
The Alabama heavyweight – who had one of the hardest punches in history – won 74 of his 89 professional bouts between 1969 and 1995.
That included 68 wins by knockout – with 23 of those in the first round – giving him a 76.4 per cent knockout ratio.
‘The Acorn’ twice lost out as a challenger for world titles.
That included defeat to Ali in 1977 – a unanimous points decision after 15 rounds at Madison Square Garden with the WBA, WBC, and The Ring belts on the line.
Shavers’ other world-title shot came when he lost on a technical knockout against Larry Holmes two years later.
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He had ten children – nine daughters and one son – including five girls Tamara, Cynthia, Catherine, Carla, and Amy from his marriage to Laverne Payne.
Tributes poured in on social media from the boxing world after the devastating news that came just a day after his birthday.
Michael Buffer: “This is heartbreaking news! EARNIE SHAVERS was one of the deadliest KO punchers in the ‘70s & early ‘80s!
“He had heavy hands and was a nonstop Bomber who fought ‘em all in a Golden Era Of Heavyweight Boxing! R.I.P. KO King – EARNIE SHAVERS – with Love & Respect.”
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DAZN Boxing tweeted: “One of the hardest punchers in boxing history.
“Earnie Shavers has sadly passed away at the age of 78. RIP Champ.”
Another wrote: “Generally regarded as one of the hardest punchers, if not THE hardest puncher of all time.
“As Randall ‘Tex’ Cobb put it, ‘Earnie Shavers could punch you in the neck and break your ankle.'”
One user typed: “Sad news. Ernie Shavers. was right there with Tyson and Liston in terms of punching power. He was also a genuinely nice man. He’ll be missed. Rest In Peace, Ernie.”
Showtime TV’s Al Bernstein added: “So sad to hear of the passing of Earnie Shavers. Not only was he a terrific boxer he was also a terrific guy.
“I met him when I did a feature on hims for Boxing Illustrated in 1978. Known him ever since and every moment around him was good. He’ll be missed.”
One user commented: “RIP Earnie Shavers, a ferocious puncher in one of the best eras of heavyweight boxing, and he was a big part of it.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
