Professional boxing has many storied heroes. One of the many greats of yesteryear has now passed away.

Heavyweight boxing great Earnie Shavers, who was 78, died Thursday, the Daily Caller reported. Shavers was known for his powerful punch and ended his 26-year career with 68 knockouts.

"He was one of the nicest guys in the world, until he got into the ring and tried to take your head off," former New York State Athletic Commissioner Randy Gordon said Friday to the Associated Press. Shavers began his career in 1969 and boasted a 74-14-1 record by the time he left the sport in 1995.

In that span, he faced off with legends like Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes. Against Ali in 1977, Shavers unanimously lost after 15 rounds in the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association heavyweight championship.

He didn't fare much better in 1979 against Holmes, who beat him by technical knockout even after Shavers knocked Holmes off his feet in the seventh round. Despite the losses, his ability to go toe-to-toe with such legends earned him a reputation as a tough fighter and raised his profile in the boxing world.

Shavers suffered for his sport and had to undergo surgery for a detached retina following the Holmes fight, the Associated Press reported. "He was one of the hardest punchers in boxing," Holmes told the news outlet, perhaps confirming Shavers deserved his place as one of the Ring's top-10 punchers in boxing history.

No cause of death was given as Shaver gave up the ghost just a day after his birthday. He reportedly left behind nine daughters and passed away at the Virginia home of one of them.

There's no doubt that Shavers was one of the tough guys, the likes of whom become legendary in the memories of those who watched. The world has lost a man of great skill, tenacity, and grit both in and out of the Ring.