By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

With the recent passing of top rated heavyweight Earnie Shavers on September 1, 2022, the day after his 78th birthday, I am sharing an article that my good friend Jim Amato (R.I.P.) wrote on Shavers which was published on February 11, 2009 on www.dmboxing.com. Also included are a few personal photos of Shavers, and my autographed Sports Illustrated magazine covers; the S.I. articles regard his legendary championship fights with Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes … may Mr. Earnie Shavers rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord!

*** FLASHBACK *** By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

It was to be the last time the incomparable Muhammad Ali would ever successfully defend the heavyweight championship. It would be held in boxing’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. It would also feature Ohio’s most popular heavyweight of the last quarter century, Earnie Shavers.

The “Acorn” as Ali had dubbed Shavers would be a prohibitive underdog. He was accorded a puncher’s chance at best against the aging but still crafty king of the heavyweights. What transpired the night of September 29, 1977 established Earnie as a legitimate contender and forecast the soon to be demise of “The Greatest”.