Larry Holmes recently highlighted a former opponent whom many in the boxing community were reluctant to face, labeling him as the heavyweight fighter that "nobody wanted to fight." This individual also had the distinction of competing against the legendary Muhammad Ali.
Known as ‘The Easton Assassin’, Larry Holmes first captured the WBC title in 1978 by narrowly defeating Ken Norton in a split decision. Following this victory, he went on to achieve an impressive record of 19 successful title defenses, solidifying his status as a formidable champion.
During his illustrious career, Holmes didn't just hold the WBC belt; he also claimed the IBF title and maintained an undefeated streak until 1985. His first loss came at the hands of Michael Spinks, marking a turning point in what had been a remarkable career.
Throughout his reign, Holmes faced and triumphed over notable fighters such as Earnie Shavers, Gerry Cooney, and Tim Witherspoon—each of whom posed serious challenges during his championship years. Among these opponents, Earnie Shavers stood out due to his reputation as a powerful puncher, which led Holmes to believe that many of his contemporaries intentionally avoided fighting him.
Holmes and Shavers first clashed in 1978, with Holmes achieving a points victory that positioned him as the mandatory challenger for the WBC title. After a previous defeat to Ali, Shavers bounced back with an impressive string of five consecutive wins, including a sensational first-round knockout of Norton, thereby earning his own shot at the title.
Despite the looming rematch, Holmes was hesitant to step back into the ring with the dangerous knockout artist. However, he ultimately fulfilled his mandatory obligation and faced Shavers again in 1979. Although he was knocked down in the seventh round, Holmes managed to secure an 11th-round stoppage victory.
In a candid moment during an interview with Lehigh Valley Sports Scene, Holmes expressed his feelings about fighting Shavers, stating, "I never wanted to fight Earnie, because Earnie had that power. He’s always dangerous. Nobody wanted to fight Earnie. Not even Joe Frazier, George Foreman, or Muhammad Ali were keen on taking him on. Everyone knew he had that punch, so you had to be very cautious around him. After he knocked out Ken Norton, I had no choice but to face Earnie."
During his competitive years, Shavers often voiced his frustration over being overlooked by renowned fighters like Frazier and Foreman, suggesting they were avoiding a confrontation with him. This sets the stage for a fascinating discussion: Was Shavers truly the most avoided fighter of his time? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
