On June 18, 1973, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Earnie Shavers delivered a spectacular knockout victory over Jimmy Ellis, cementing his reputation as one of boxing’s most formidable punchers. The bout, originally not the main event, became a highlight due to last-minute changes. Initially, Jerry Quarry was slated to fight Jose Luis Garcia, but Garcia’s first-round defeat by Joe Alexander on May 21st led to a 60-day suspension. This prompted the Garden to sign Shavers on May 22nd after his scheduled fight with George Chuvalo fell through due to Chuvalo’s back injury. When Quarry withdrew due to illness, Jimmy Ellis was brought in as his replacement on June 2nd.

As the fight commenced, Ellis, with a wealth of experience against top-tier opponents like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, seemed poised to overpower the younger Shavers. At 38-7, Ellis’s career had seen him battle the best, and his aggressive start in the ring suggested he might outmanoeuvre Shavers, who entered the fight with a 44-2 record and a fearsome 43 knockouts. Trapped in a neutral corner, Shavers appeared vulnerable as Ellis unleashed a series of right hands, momentarily stunning the heavyweight contender.

However, the tide turned dramatically when Shavers retaliated with a powerful right uppercut to Ellis’s jaw. The punch dropped Ellis, who fell first onto his back before attempting to rise from a sitting position. Despite his valiant efforts, Ellis’s coordination failed him, and he was unable to beat the referee Harold Valan’s count, culminating in a knockout at 2:39 in the first round.

Shavers’s victory over Ellis at Madison Square Garden was a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing his devastating punching power and resilience. This win not only added another knockout to his impressive record but also solidified his status as a major contender in the heavyweight division. The dramatic bout, marked by Shavers’s swift and decisive uppercut, remains a memorable highlight in the storied history of boxing at the iconic Madison Square Garden.