Hardest punching heavyweights of all times?

I was looking through an old video of Earnie Shavers, and a lot of people were talking about him as one of the hardest hitters of all time in the division. So I've drawn up a top 5 list. And this is not meant to be P4P hardest, but pure power. And yes, there is a little left for the Klitschko lovers to appreciate. 1. George Foreman - Seeing that hole in the heavybag after Foreman had stopped training has got to be one of the most resounding training scenes of all times. His trainer literally hopped off his feet when Foreman was punching. He's also the only person who I've seen knock a man up, then down. And he did it to the late, great Joe Frazier. 2. Lennox Lewis - Some might disagree, but Lennox's straight right was deadly when he used it. Seeing him completely destroy up and comer Golota in a round was brutal. His one-two vs Rahman in their second fight is probably one of the most vicious one-two KOs I have ever seen in the HW division. 3. Vitali Klitschko - Vitali's brute strength is probably close to Lennox's, but he hasn't proved it against the same level of opposition. Danny Williams once remarked that every time Vitali hit him, it was like being hit by a running train. This man has dished out some brutal beatings in his day, and though his power may have diminished a bit over the years, he can still KO virtually anyone. 4. Mike Tyson - A lot of people are underestimating the technique behind Tyson's punches, but in the late 80's this guy perfected the Cus Damato school of boxing. His two hook combos to the ribcage then to the head is probably as good as anyone I've seen. Even though vintage Mike fought in a poor era, he was still knocking out undefeated guys in the first couple of rounds. 5. Earnie Shavers/Wladimir Klitschko I was in a bit of a dilemma with this one. Earnie Shavers KOd 68 of his 74 wins, including a 1 round KO of Ken Norton. This guy was serious and had KO power in both hands. Wladimir Klitschko has undoubted power in his straight right hand, and could potentially KO anyone when it lands. However, he's too infrequent with it and a lot of his opponents get KO'd via 2-3 knockdowns as opposed to lights out KOs. Honourable mentions go to: Sonny Liston, Marciano, Baer & Louis (i'm sure i'm leaving someone out).

Comments (20)

I've always thought Wladimir hit harder than Vitali and they're both top 5 anyway

12y ago

LacedUp

and yes i do feel that joe louis is a harder puncher then lennox lewis. it's a the technique, it's the speed, & it's the way joe louis would explode with his shots. the only thing that you're looking at is weight......... How am I only looking at weight when 3 out of 5/6 guys on the list weighs 225 or below? It just so happens that Wlad/Lennox/Vitali are much bigger, in great shape but also had devastating power. With regards to Louis, he might have been a bigger puncher relative to his era. But if they fought in the same era and fighting the same people, Lennox hits substantially harder. I think that Wlad should be in top 3 and vitali shouldn't be on the list. Wlad IMO hits harder than both Lennox or Vitali. Foreman is my favorite for number one. Wlad doesn't hit harder than Lennox. At least he hasn't proven it in his fights. If you look at mutual opponents, Lennox also takes the lead quite easily.

12y ago

LacedUp

Briggs says a lot of stupid things. Methinks Lennox hit him hard enough to cause brain damage. Regardless, if you watch Vitali's fights you can see he gets his stoppages via an accumulation of punches rather than out and out power. He has very good power, but not great power. He isn't someone who's going to get an opponent out of there with one punch like, say, prime Foreman or even Wlad. Poet Probably, but Vitali hospitalized him for weeks. I think there's no doubt that Vitali has great power, but i'm not saying he's a great one punch KO artist. And even though weight is not the sole issue here, because Vitali has knocked out his fair share of small guys, he's also put a beating on guys weighing 240+, who are obviously better equipped absorbing that kind of punishment than say guys weighing 220. With regards to the one punch KO, Wlad do not KO his opponents as a puncher normally would do. He's breaking them down and finishing them off, whereas someone like Foreman for example or Tyson or Shavers would hit them once or twice and then it would be over with. But there can be no doubt he hits very very hard.

12y ago

LacedUp

KO% is an EXTREMELY misleading stat though. It's not just the guys who get put out for a ten count that figure into it, it's ALL stoppages. That means guys who get stopped on cuts, guys who's corner throws in the towel, guys the refs decide have shipped too many punches, guys who quit on their stools, guys who bust their ankles and can't continue, ect ect ect. All those things factor into the KO%. Poet Agreed. Regardless, based on this fact alone he deserves at least a mention. I don't think we could dismiss him on the list. Even Shannon Briggs said he hit as hard as Lennox Lewis. A little strange since LL dropped him like three times and stopped him in 5 or something but still.

12y ago

SNPER

Foreman. It would suck a LOT to be trapped in a ring with young Foreman.

12y ago

FromBA

I have said it before and I repeat it: the prime Foreman is the hardest puncher I've ever seen (my signature)

12y ago

Sugar_Adam_Ali

Its George Foreman End thread....

12y ago

beez721

Vintage Vitali punches harder than vintage Wlad. You look at the beatings Vitali has dished out over the years, and look at those Wlad has. Also, he has a higher KO%, though against substantially lower level opposition. Similar opponents talk in Vitali's favour as well. He also has more one punch KOs. Of course I haven't fought either of them fortunately, but from the looks of it 2002-2004 Vitali hits harder than Wlad IMO. Thought about Morrison, dont think Tua deserved a mention, but I know a lot of people rate that left hook of his. I think vit is physically stronger than wlad but wlad seems to have more one shot power imo. chris byrd and phil jackson both said wlad hit much harder

12y ago

DrEisenfaust

http://www.************.com/2010/10/briggs-says-vitali-hits-harder-than-foreman/

12y ago

Jedi_Vader

Wladimir has many, most of those had never been previously stopped: :lol1: at all these nobodies :lol1:

12y ago

roxy

Foreman and Shavers and Foreman and Shavers.

12y ago

Simurgh

I think that Wlad should be in top 3 and vitali shouldn't be on the list. Wlad IMO hits harder than both Lennox or Vitali. Foreman is my favorite for number one.

12y ago

daggum

vitali.......just...............:chairshot

12y ago

Godsfly

12y ago

Ray_Corso

Theres a reason that a man weighing in at 190lbs can hit harder than a man at 240lbs.......................Punchers are born, not made! Heavy handed fighters who weigh 185 don't need to be 235 to hurt a man weighing 235 these are the intangibles in boxing much like having a great chin! You can strengthen your punch and your chin but to be outstanding your born that way!! Find the interview with Ali after he filmed the computer bout with Marciano!! read his comments on Marciano "touching him" with pulled punches! Both were not in fight shape but both know something about boxing, ya think? greatest, hardest, heaviest most solid???? Its all the same when your considering results!! George Foreman Ernie Shavers (personally attest to) Tyson (personally attest to) Dempsey Marciano Liston Louis ...no particular order except George being the heaviest handed fighter at any weight to me! I held pads and worked with Shavers & Tyson and they were extrodinary!!! The truely exceptional fighter is the one with the great punch and great chin, again Big George covers that nicely! Even against a more skilled boxer with tons of experience George has a shot. Anyone less than that when in his prime gets out of there quickly! Big George Foreman Amatuer and Professional Heavyweight Champion of the World!!! Ray.

12y ago

Godsfly

It's hilarious but the names you mentioned have all been covered. So what's funny and please "school" me since you must obviously know something we don't? To put Jack Dempsey up there as a mention in top 5 is completely ignorant. He used to weigh in around 185-190. How the hell could he hit as hard as Lennox Lewis at 240+. I find your comment quite amusing. wait wait wait.............when did i say Dempsey hit harder then lewis? i gave you 10 list of guys in no particular order. (and by the way, lewis is on that list) and heres my top 5 in order foreman shavers louis/tyson lewis liston

12y ago

yoz

I honestly think david haye should be in this list. Vitali should be nowhere near it. :lol1: You're kidding, right?

12y ago

Naps

Where's my man sexton on that list? Just edged out by Carl Baker, was a close call though!

12y ago

LacedUp

Top 10 in no particular order.... Lennox Haye Fury Price Baker (Carl) Chisora Williams McDermott Reid (Pele) Bruno Where's my man sexton on that list?

12y ago

Naps

Top 10 in no particular order.... Lennox Haye Fury Price Baker (Carl) Chisora Williams McDermott Reid (Pele) Bruno

12y ago