What If? Earnie “The Acorn” Shavers Vs “Gentlemen” Gerry Cooney

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By Ian Murphy

Power is naturally assumed when two large men face off in the squared circle. Sometimes the radiating force of the combatants is palpable, almost visible like heat waves on a blistering summer day. When two great punchers meet, the anticipation is incredible, knowing the match could end at any time with one hit. A match between sluggers Earnie Shavers and Gerry Cooney would have just that effect. Although they never fought (Cooney is 11 years younger), the eras in which they competed in overlapped. If a match were made when both were fighting, with neither in their primes (Cooney too green, Shavers past his best) it would take away from the spectacle. But the thought of these two beasts scrapping makes fight fans salivate. So, at the request of a man known as “Bad” Brad, I bring you Cooney Vs Shavers: Collision Course.

Gerry Cooney is a rangy 6’6 New York Badass with a fifty pound meat hook of a left hand. Cooney wields his left hook like the Grim Reaper swinging his scythe, cutting down opponents in wide, swooping swings. These punches did not cut, but instead they crushed. George Foreman stated that Cooney had the hardest punch of any opponent he faced in his long and storied career. Gerry just folded up men with his big left. His opponent, whose nickname (given to him by Muhammad Ali) of “The Acorn” is hardly an accurate portrayal of the concussive danger that resides in his right hand. Earnie Shavers is a considerably smaller man, but no less powerful. If anything, his power is possibly greater than Cooney’s. Just saying his name to any of the men he hit flush with his right hand sledgehammer conjures semi conscious memories of pain and helplessness. Noted tough guy and top heavyweight contender Ron Lyle (who fought huge punchers Big George Foreman and Cooney himself) said “none of them could hit like Earnie Shavers did. When he hit you, the lights went out. I can laugh about it now, but at the time, it wasn’t funny.”

This match is essentially a fight between two men who had enormous strengths and very similar weaknesses. Neither was noted for having an especially deep gas tank, or being cerebral in their approach to the sweet science. Both Cooney and Shavers set out to do damage and finish their opponents as quickly as possible. Both were not nearly as effective past the 5th round, so they had to win early. Essentially this match can be broken down very simply: Shavers’ right versus Cooney’s left. Whichever lands hard first will win. One could give a speed and mobility advantage to Shavers, but Cooney has six inches of height and about twenty pounds on him. In any case, this is not going the distance.

Round 1:

Cooney comes out quickly and looks to establish his left hand. He appears nervous and a bit high strung, alluding that he wants to end this fight as quickly as possible. Conversely, Shavers looks loose and confident. He bounces side to side, and looks to set Cooney up for the right hand. Suddenly, Gerry lunges with a one-two combination and follows with a very hard left to the body. Shavers’ body shoots backward on impact, but then wisely ties up his bigger opponent. Neither do any major damage inside and are separated. Cooney throws a few ineffectual jabs at Shavers, and Earnie responds with a whistling right hand that just misses Cooney’s head. Gerry smartly backs up and looks to keep the shorter Shavers at bay until he can drop that left. Gerry then connects on Shavers with another one-two followed by a left to the body and at ringside we can audibly hear Earnie grunt in pain from the blow. The round ends with both men tied up in the center of the ring.

ROUND 1: COONEY 10-9.

Round 2:

Cooney looking confident from his successes in the previous round starts aggressively again, peppering Shavers with jabs. Earnie remains calm and collected and stays away for the time being. Curiously, Shavers is not pressing the action to smother his longer armed foe while Cooney continues pressuring him with left hands. Shavers smartly is circling to Gerry’s right. Typically this is a no-no versus an orthodox fighter, but Cooney is all left hand, so this tactic keeps Earnie away from the left beyond an occasional jab. Cooney again throws more jabs but this time Shavers counters with his fabled right hand that hits Cooney high on his head. Gerry is a little hurt, but shakes it off and backpedals to clear his head. Shavers is still staying outside, but now it appears that he is baiting Cooney and wants the big New Yorker to come to him. Cooney takes the bait and advances behind more double-jabs. The jab grazes Shavers, but he slips inside the weak right hand that followed. The taller Cooney then lowers himself and drops his left to finish his combo with his deadly left to the body. It never arrives. Shavers lands a crushing right hand over the top of his opponent’s left and Cooney crumples to the canvas. He is unconscious.

Winner: Earnie Shavers via KO 2.

*Note: This is of course not the only potential outcome of this match. It just appears to me (based on the tendencies and history of the combatants) that it is the most likely. Shavers was voted “Puncher of the Century” for a reason. If he could catch you (especially early) with that right hand, you were done. Cooney could do the same, but his left hand to the body left him open for a counter right hand. Neither man was particularly adept at avoiding punches and both were hittable. Shavers was just better at countering. Cooney did his best damage when he clipped and stunned his opponents first.
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