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He's in my top 3 because of his delivery of punch, and all aspects together.
But in terms of pure power alone, it's close between a lot of fighters.
Frank Bruno had an absolutely, devastatingly powerful right hand, but nowhere near the speed, agility or technique Tyson had. I remember reading something about a test they did with Bruno on his punch and the power was apparently incredibly high.
Lots of people have power but Tyson knew how to use it.
Agreed 100%. In terms of pure power, I think there are probably a bunch of guys that trump Tyson. Guys like Foreman and Shavers had more pure power than him I'd be willing to bet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vendettos
If we're talking about the overall force of the punch, I'd say Tyson's speed and technique probably leveled it out though.
But who are your other top 3 punchers, or specifically the ones you would rate above Tyson at HW?
Tyson is up there, fast hands, good power with both hands.
Joe Louis
George Foreman
Lennox Lewis
Rocky Marciano
Jack Dempsey
Vitali Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko
Ron Lyle
Earnie Shavers
There are plenty to consider, but I'd say Prime Tyson is no lower than Top 5. I would put Louis, Marciano, and Foreman at or around the same ranking...not much between those 4. All knocked fighters out consistently, all had KO wins vs some very solid competition at the very top of the division.
What's the logic for ranking Foreman above Tyson? He had godlike power in his fists, but his technique was awful, he was very slow and inaccurate with his punching. He was just fortunate enough to have two wrecking balls in his fists and destroyed whatever they managed to land on.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Kabong
I think Louis and Marciano are great names to consider, but I think Tyson's superior speed and power would put him over the top of those guys.
George Foreman had poor technique to start with, but 68 KO's out of 76 wins shows how long he carried his power and how good he was at finishing a fight.
Foreman 89.47% KO rate
Tyson 88% KO rate
They're closer than you want to give Foreman credit for.
And just for shits and giggles
Louis 78.7% (lower than I expected honestly)
Marciano 87.7%
Vitali 91.11%
Wlad 83.6%
Shavers 91.89%
Lyle 72%
Dempsey 77.27% (lower than I expected again)
So there are the actual KO percentages
He may have better way to delver the punch but hell Foreman as slow as he was fucking put people way just by tapping them. I think Foreman's gifts make him better heavyweight puncher because he didn't even have to land to well or through fast to knock you out. Also Tyson when faced with a great fighter in Holyfeild i don't think he mange to hurt Holyfeild as much as Foreman did and that man was like 40 i think maybe older not sure exact age so i don't have a problem with Foreman being better puncher or rated higher because he didn't need technique and he was able knock people out in his late 40's.
You missed out the great Bruno from your list. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by El Kabong
I'm not really interested in KO percentage because it isn't really relevant to who was the better puncher because there are a ton of other factors that enter into a guy's KO percentage as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Kabong
I'm talking about the whole package, not necessarily who hits the hardest, who had their power the longest, who knocked out more guys, ect.
We all know Tyson, Foreman, Marciano, Dempsey, Shavers, Louis, ect were great KO artists. But watching them and examining everything: technique, speed, power, combination ability, the variety of punches used effectively, ect, who could possibly be a better "puncher" than Tyson?
There are guys in that list that no doubt trump in in certain aspects (Foreman probably trumps him in pure power), but when added all up who has a better combinaton of all those factors than Tyson?
I understand that, Tyson was intriguing because he threw punches the way a middleweight would only he was a heavyweight and they landed with fury
Honestly I'd say Foreman and Shavers, but there's some others like Bruno, Briggs, etc, but those guys are just power really.Quote:
Originally Posted by BeanflickerAgreed 100%. In terms of pure power, I think there are probably a bunch of guys that trump Tyson. Guys like Foreman and Shavers had more pure power than him I'd be willing to bet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vendettos
If we're talking about the overall force of the punch, I'd say Tyson's speed and technique probably leveled it out though.
But who are your other top 3 punchers, or specifically the ones you would rate above Tyson at HW?
I don't rate Marciano up there based on his era of very small heavyweights, granted he could bang but what would really have done against a Wlad Klitschko?
It's not a matter of how he'd do vs today's heavyweights it's about the power he had and man did he ever have it. Not only that he had some MASSIVE KO's late in fights where he'd plant a punch square on his opponent's jaw and put them to sleep.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vendettos
Agreed, Wlad gets late knock outs but they are generally down to battering the opponent until they have very little to fight back with.Quote:
Originally Posted by El KabongIt's not a matter of how he'd do vs today's heavyweights it's about the power he had and man did he ever have it. Not only that he had some MASSIVE KO's late in fights where he'd plant a punch square on his opponent's jaw and put them to sleep.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vendettos
I was talking about Marciano.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Wlad has power and belongs on the list as much as anyone else. Just because you KO people later in fights doesn't mean you lack power....you've seen what Wlad has done vs guys who have never lost, never been down, never been KO'd and he is the first to stop them...he has power
Battering or holding and headlockingQuote:
Originally Posted by MasterAgreed, Wlad gets late knock outs but they are generally down to battering the opponent until they have very little to fight back with.Quote:
Originally Posted by El KabongIt's not a matter of how he'd do vs today's heavyweights it's about the power he had and man did he ever have it. Not only that he had some MASSIVE KO's late in fights where he'd plant a punch square on his opponent's jaw and put them to sleep.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vendettos
If holding causes so many KO's why didn't Ali have more?Quote:
Originally Posted by imp