Is KO percentage overrated when it comes to evaluating a boxer's punching power?

[Mr Objecitivity]

I mean, knockout percentage ALONE doesn't take into consideration the following things:

1) Quality of opposition (ranking of opponent)

2) Durability of opposition - Were the opponents previously UN-KO'ed or undefeated. Or, did the opponents previously face other power punchers without getting knocked out.

3) Type of stoppages - Clean KO, or referee stoppage or premature stoppage.



Someone may have a higher KO percentage than someone else, but that doesn't necessarily prove they are the more powerful puncher. For example, Luis Ortiz has a higher KO percentage than Alexander Povetkin. However, does that mean he is the more powerful puncher? Not NECESSARILY!

When we look at the other stats, such as knockouts (especially clean knockouts) against previously UN-KO'ed opponents, Povetkin has Ortiz beat. Plus, Povetkin's knockout victim on average, was higher ranked at the time, than Ortiz's knockout victim.

[Robbie Barrett]

Yes. Look at Vitali Klitschko. He wasn't a 1 punch KO artist.

[dibzvincent143]

Unless you have more than dozens of example then NO. More often than not the good/great punchers have good knockout records, so i’ll go with YES.

[Rubber Ducky]

It's a decent indication but you have to see who they KO'ed if you fought Amir Khan 100 times you'd have a 100% KO ratio but that doesn't mean you hit harder than a guy with a lower KO percentage but who KO'ed a bunch of iron chinned warriors.

Plus a fighters style also has to be taken into consideration. Eubank Sr could hit every hard with single shots, dropped iron chinned Collins for example, ended Watson's career with one punch, but usually he didn't do enough, wasn't a good finisher or very good on the front foot so didn't stop as many guys as he should have with his kind of power.

[-PBP-]

Yes. It’s highly influenced by level of opposition and a fighters willingness to move up in weight and take on bigger challenges.

[a5pe4]

No one would say knock out percentage alone determines punching power so I don't get the point you're trying to make in this post

[Boksfan]

Definitely yes, Fury couldn't knock a wank but his nuthuggers say he's a puncher because he's got 70% KO against uber drivers

[leff]

Yes. Look at Vitali Klitschko. He wasn't a 1 punch KO artist.

My thoughts exactly, vk has some of the highest ko% in the history of the division, by quantity.

Never thought of him as especially heavy handed.

[Marchegiano]

No. It's for showing no bias.

[hugh grant]

I would say it is overated. I mean GGG had a high ko % and nobody could go distance with him. But he couldn't ko Jacobs and Nelo and now people say GGG don't hit hard and that Nelo hit harder?