How Often is the Puncher's Chance True?

[bojangles1987]

Some fighters have a legit punchers chance that has to be taken into account. But many times you will hear it for a fight like Pacquiao-Cotto or Mosley-Mayweather where you are thinking ahead of time that the underdog will have to knock the other out, but it probably won't happen. Still, what if? Those are the scenarios where I think the underdog basically has no chance.

IMO, most times if you can't see a way a fighter can win by decision and that fighter isn't a monumental puncher, they have have very little chance.

[New England]

Some fighters have a legit punchers chance that has to be taken into account. But many times you will hear it for a fight like Pacquiao-Cotto or Mosley-Mayweather where you are thinking ahead of time that the underdog will have to knock the other out, but it probably won't happen. Still, what if? Those are the scenarios where I think the underdog basically has no chance.

IMO, most times if you can't see a way a fighter can win by decision and that fighter isn't a monumental puncher, they have have very little chance.

exactly

gatti made a career on having a punchers chance



also, for the "punchers chance" to have any meaning whatsoever, the challenger must be in shape

ortiz
salido

both showed up in the best condition i've seen them mentally and physically
especially salido with his conditioning
man he looked good for a guy many were calling a glorified journeyman

[fitefanSHO]

You might say going into the 12th against Taylor that Chavez had a puncher's chance, if little else. Without that kind of power, a late dramatic KO is far less likely. That's why I LOVE boxing, by its very nature it can all turn on a single punch.

[studentofthegam]

When ever a fighter is over matched but has clear KO power.

[BennyST]

In reality, it's pretty damn rare and very, very few guys have a real punchers chance, but it does happen and that's what makes boxing so amazing sometimes. There aren't very many fighters that can truly turn or win a fight with one punch alone.

[DarkTerror88]

i think that because of how a punch effects someone is based on what angle the punch strikes, anyone with above average punching power has a punchers chance. The only way to beat a punchers chance is to have a granite chin.

Perfect examples:
Foreman-Moorer
Graziano vs most of his comp
Marciano vs Walcott
Bob Foster vs Any LHW

Boxing is a lot of geometry and the angle of a punch defines its effect

[nomadman]

I don't think it's a thing you can put a percentage on. It's more of a question mark thrown in to fights that would otherwise be fairly cut and dry. As for how often it happens that's extirely dependent on a number of factors such as chin, heart, styles, gulf in quality between the two fighters, size difference (at heavyweight), punching power and the type of punch that generates it etc etc. For instance I rate Tua's left hook as one of the hardest heavyweight punches ever, but I wouldn't give him much if any of a puncher's chance against Wlad based simply on styles and physical factors. I would, on the other hand, give Bruno a puncher's chance against Wlad even though I think he's a lesser puncher than Tua. There just seems more likelihood of Bruno landing a hard overhand right and hurting Wlad than there is of Tua landing his left and doing the same.

[Marchegiano]

In reality, it's pretty damn rare and very, very few guys have a real punchers chance, but it does happen and that's what makes boxing so amazing sometimes. There aren't very many fighters that can truly turn or win a fight with one punch alone.

Rocco Francis Marchegiano.....49-0...c'mon guys.....look up the champions of LPRR for ****s sake...rare my ****. He's a guy who came into damn near ever fight with only a puncher's chance, and won every ****ing time. In my head it isn't does power play...it's can the individual bring it...

If Tua wasn't Tua at all, save the left hook, he'd have a bigger chance...Tua loses 'cause he's fat and slow and he fights like he's not. Rocky fights like some trying to turn things around with one punch. Given the 43 KO's and the 25 retirements they caused I'd say chances can pretty damn good and regular.

[StarshipTrooper]

I don't think it's a thing you can put a percentage on. It's more of a question mark thrown in to fights that would otherwise be fairly cut and dry. As for how often it happens that's extirely dependent on a number of factors such as chin, heart, styles, gulf in quality between the two fighters, size difference (at heavyweight), punching power and the type of punch that generates it etc etc. For instance I rate Tua's left hook as one of the hardest heavyweight punches ever, but I wouldn't give him much if any of a puncher's chance against Wlad based simply on styles and physical factors. I would, on the other hand, give Bruno a puncher's chance against Wlad even though I think he's a lesser puncher than Tua. There just seems more likelihood of Bruno landing a hard overhand right and hurting Wlad than there is of Tua landing his left and doing the same.

Sam Peter bounced Wlad up and down like a basketball. An in-prime, IN SHAPE Tua is much better than Peter.....the question is: What are the odds Tua shows up in shape?

Poet

[StarshipTrooper]

What's your ratio or percentage for the estimate of puncher's chances actually happening?

About as often as a Hail Mary works in football.

Poet