Who hit harder???

[mickyward5656]

I think maybe I'd give a small edge to Sonny. The guy used to break heavybags in training with his left hook.....try that sometime. The truth is, though, when you get to that level of power that guys like Liston and Tyson possessed it becomes a bit like splitting hairs. Both had one-punch KO power but any differences are a matter of small degrees that you probably couldn't tell the difference in the ring; until you start getting to the real frightening punchers like Shavers and Foreman where you stop thinking of one-punch KO power and start thinking of one-punch KILL power.

Power

Shavers was defently a killer, but i do not think he hit as hard as Liston or Tyson. As for Foreman, he could defently pound you with thoes long looping hooks, but i read an interview that was done with him a few years ago where he explained that he was Listons sparring partner when he was up and comming. He went on to say that it was not uncommon for him to do down againt him a few times a round in sparring, they asked who he thought hit harder both in their prime, George said Sonny easy, he was an absolute monster.

[Poet682006]

Shavers was defently a killer, but i do not think he hit as hard as Liston or Tyson. As for Foreman, he could defently pound you with thoes long looping hooks, but i read an interview that was done with him a few years ago where he explained that he was Listons sparring partner when he was up and comming. He went on to say that it was not uncommon for him to do down againt him a few times a round in sparring, they asked who he thought hit harder both in their prime, George said Sonny easy, he was an absolute monster.

Earnie Shavers is generally regarded as the hardest punching Heavyweight ever. Polls of experts and boxing historians he consistantly place him at the top of the list usually by a confortable margin. Consider also that Larry Holmes fought both Tyson and Shavers and said that hands down Shavers NOT Tyson was the hardest puncher he faced. This is simply a matter of punching power NOT a consideration of other factors that go into making a puncher ie. precision of punches ect. Tyson may very well have been a more effective puncher over-all but that doesn't make him the HARDER puncher.

Poet

[QuCongee]

It's not a tough question. Tyson hit harder.

[BrooklynBomber]

I would go with Tyson, and at this point both Lewis and Wlad have better jabs then Liston, not to take away anything from him though.

[The Surgeon]

I think Listons shots were more Thudding and heavy, theyd stay with a guy!
Where as Tysons were BAM! Fast hard and snappy, Hate to compare Mike with Zab Judah as he is an allround puncher but Mike would be the Judah type of puncher to Listons Cotto type if that makes sense!?

[mickyward5656]

I would go with Tyson, and at this point both Lewis and Wlad have better jabs then Liston, not to take away anything from him though.

No way Lewis had a better jab than Liston. I think Listons was a little quicker, they both had the same reach on it, and Listons was 10 times more powerfull, Liston could knock people out with a single jab, Lewis was never able to do that. Walds was also good but both Listons and Lewis's were better.

[1SILVA]

Slight edge to Sonny. Very similar styles, and both were undressed by master boxers

[mickyward5656]

I think Listons shots were more Thudding and heavy, theyd stay with a guy!
Where as Tysons were BAM! Fast hard and snappy, Hate to compare Mike with Zab Judah as he is an allround puncher but Mike would be the Judah type of puncher to Listons Cotto type if that makes sense!?

Good post. i agree with the comparison.

[The Surgeon]

Good post. i agree with the comparison.

Good, i know what i ment but i was worried it would sound ******! lol

[them_apples]

I think maybe I'd give a small edge to Sonny. The guy used to break heavybags in training with his left hook.....try that sometime. The truth is, though, when you get to that level of power that guys like Liston and Tyson possessed it becomes a bit like splitting hairs. Both had one-punch KO power but any differences are a matter of small degrees that you probably couldn't tell the difference in the ring; until you start getting to the real frightening punchers like Shavers and Foreman where you stop thinking of one-punch KO power and start thinking of one-punch KILL power.

Power

Liston treated 150 lb bags like 40 lbders..he had arms like Foreman and even bigger fists. It's to bad he wasn't the quickest fighter, with his genetic gifts (massive fists and reach).

In terms of a Jab i'm gonna say Holmes had a better jab, maybe not heavier but definently better. Listons was a heavy jab that he used his reach to his advantage.