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I think so. Prime Tyson is obviously up there but a lot of his power was boosted by his awesome speed and technique. I've been watching clips of Tua's KO's on youtube, some of his stoppages are sickening. John Ruiz is either a brave stupid man for stepping back into the ring after suffering a KO like the one against Tua. There's also a case for George Foreman however when you compare to Tua Foreman's height and size would've added to the power.
Tua had to be one of them. I think the only guy who hit harder was probably Earnie Shavers
The thing that impressed me the most was how long he kept his power in a fight. He could take your head off in the first round or the 12th round, it didn't matter. He never stopped throwing bombs.
at the moment, on paper, the hardest HW ever is VItali Klitshko: with 37 kos in 38 wins, it's damn hard to do any better!! He definitely punches harder than TUA (in my opinion) and I would also rate Smoking Joe Frasier and Big George Foreman as being serious contender to the hardest HW puncher ever too.... like I said, on paper, via the results, it's Vitali but if we talk outside of the Ring results, Frasier and Foreman have to be seriously considered. Tua is behind these 3 for sure, in my opinion.
My vote is for Foreman, after watching him punching the heavy bag for rumble in the jungle and leaving a damn dent in the heavy bag for what like 15 minutes thats insane and watching him annihilate Frazier and almost seemed effortless.
I don't think that Vitali even hits harder than Wlad. He seems to get many of his stoppage through accumulation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
Naw, I think that might have been Curtiss "The Hatcheman" Shepard
Agreed. Tua has that one punch knockout power that can have his opponent dribbling all over the canvas. Vitali on the other hand hacks away and bit by bit the opponent gets chopped down.Quote:
Originally Posted by CFHI don't think that Vitali even hits harder than Wlad. He seems to get many of his stoppage through accumulation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
Tua has good instincts. I was pleasantly awestruck at the how he got to Cameron. Right before the 1st round knock down, he rolled away from Cameron's right hand, came back with a straight right to the chest, and off of that tossed the left hook in there. O0
Its def pulled him out of some trailing fights w Oquendo,Maskaev,Rahman (not clean),but left almost seemed at times to not be fully closed.Huge banger but dont think best of all time when considering resume,no way.Some impressive early KO's,Bell,Sullivan,Ruiz,Wilson but not exactly world beaters.
Love Tua's style but Lewis made easy work of him at his most dangerous stage.
Tua is a pure warrior who would trade with anyone, he should concentrate on guys with the same mentality.
I think Vitali hits harder than Tua (and most any heavyweight in history) but you feel it right away from the first jab, adjust to it based upon the first punch he throws.......He makes you shell up from the first punch and that is why fighters last so long......The fact they are so technically sound and throw hard jabs makes their opponents last longer......
Ba-lee dat............
Sat night thrown away but rewatching Tua and Izon now....Lampley all on about Tyson as early as round 1;D
He has power but he lacked the desire and discipline to carry it through. He was too heavy when he fought Lewis. He was overpowered by Ike Ieabuchi and I don't remember the correct spelling of his name before he went to prison and Tua never got a rematch but his opponent hit harder. George Foreman fought better with more control as an older man and he hit harder. Ron Lyle and Sonny Liston hit harder but he was always going to jail for beating up cops. Mr. Marciano though smaller had more control of his urges and unlike Tua, he was at the gym every day when he was fighting. The quality of opponents had a lot to do with how hard he hit.There are more guys that fought the who's who of boxing. Tua could have been in the company of these fellows and the numerous I don't have room for except once again because of quality, desire and discipline but he had the tools and didn't take good care of them.
Earnie Shavers anyone???
First name that came to my mind when I saw this thread!!Quote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
Did someone ask who knocked out the most taxi drivers or who is the hardest punching heavyweight champ?Quote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
I don't necessarily agree with this but fuck that is funny.Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterDid someone ask who knocked out the most taxi drivers or who is the hardest punching heavyweight champ?Quote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
He wasn't a champ but I hear some of the guys he knocked out are eating solid foods and one guy has a dribble cup. Just kidding but he hit hard just looking for a cup and saucer for his morning coffee.
The question was the hardest hitting HW.Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterDid someone ask who knocked out the most taxi drivers or who is the hardest punching heavyweight champ?Quote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
I'm not sure if you don't have your glasses on but nowhere on the title do I see the word champ.
Earnie fought as a HW therefor he qualifies.
If you want the hardest hitting HW then Tua wouldn't even be in the topic cause he's never picked up a title. ;)
Maybe you should read the questions slower to grasp the entire thing completely.
Well the question reads HW.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnsebastianmiran
It doesn't say the hardest HW champ...
There's no doubt that Tua is a huge puncher, & he can carry that power into the late rounds, just look at those legs of his
But I think Savers & Foreman hit harder, Louis was a great puncher in his prime!
I think Audley Harrison is the hardest hitting active HW , i mean he 1 punched KOED a novice in Prizefighter , how can anyone argue against the fact.
I see your point and it is quite a good remark, however, Vitali breaks them down systematically because it is a safer way of boxing than just going open like an harvester, I really think he has that one punch destruction capacity but just prefer to play it safer. At least, it's the way I feel.Quote:
Originally Posted by CFHI don't think that Vitali even hits harder than Wlad. He seems to get many of his stoppage through accumulation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
I'm inclined to think that Jack Dempsey maybe the hardest puncher ever, but it's not easy to quantify as he fought so long ago.
Failing that, I'm going to have to go with the tried & trusted Earnie Shavers.
Everybody who fought him has stated that he is the hardest puncher they ever faced.
Tua hardest puncher ever?? possibly...
But 1st of all let me say this- KO PERCENTAGES MEAN NOTHING, U MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE QUALITY OF OPPOSITION AND THE MANNER OF THE STOPPAGES!!!
Peter McNeely had a better KO percentage than Tyson when they faught, does that mean McNeely was a better puncher?? Please!
Vitali isnt even the hardest puncher in the division now, let alone hardest of all time- he wears people down, he very rarely dispatches people with 1 shot, or even 4 or 5, it normaly takes a number of rounds. Look how many times he hit lennox lewis flush on the jaw and couldnt drop him, look how many times he caught corrie sanders and couldnt drop him (niether of those fighters known 4 having a strong chin), and more recently, look how many times he hit sam peter clean and couldnt even stagger him (jameel mccline managed 2 put peter on the floor with relative ease). So we can take Vitali out of the equasion very quickly.
Shavers had a great ko record on paper, but the only top heavyweight he ever KO'd was norton who was already damaged goods at the time anyway. The rest of his Ko's where over guys uve never heard of, so we cant give him 2 much credit 4 that. If Tyson faught all the guys shavers faught im sure he wouldve knocked them all out aswell. Ali once said shavers hit harder than foreman- but people 4get he said that at a time when foreman was trying 2 secure a rematch with him and there had been alot of back and forth jibes between them in the press (and we all know how fond ali was of playing mind games). Plus Ali managed 2 avoid taking the full force of foremans blows when they faught by leaning back against the ropes 2 take the sting out of the shots- and he saw every punch coming, so he never really felt foremans full power with a head shot. He did however feel foremans full power 2 the body, which left Ali peeing blood for 2 weeks after the fight- something which didnt happen when he faught shavers! Dont get me wrong, shavers could punch, but 4 lack of ko's against quality opponents id have to put a few other guys above him.
4 me its a toss up between Tyson Tua and Foreman, its hard 2 seperate them.
Tyson certainly had the best variety of power shots, and he could deliver power from distance as well as close range, with jabs and straight rights as well as hooks and uppercuts. But im not sure he had the same raw one punch power foreman had. But he had excellent handspeed technique and accuracy. And as we know he knocked out plenty of top fighters.
Foreman had terrific power, but he wasnt the cleanest puncher in the world, his punches where often delivered with sloppy technique and therefore didnt always land flush...but such was his power that even a wild clubbing blow that only partially landed could take alot of opponents out. he also had the most powerful left jab in history next 2 sonny liston. And as with Tyson, Foreman proved his power in knocking out top opponents.
Tua punches very well upclose, with hooks, but he cant get the same power into his straight shots, or even his uppercuts 4 the most part. So his arsenal is quite limited. But his hooks upclose are as powerful as any1's. And Tua has also registerd his fair share of KO's over top rated opposition.
Its really a pick em between those 3, if i had 2 hazard a guess, then i'd say Tyson, but only just. I think he proved his power more consistently against top opposition than Tua and Foreman did. But that said, i wouldnt like 2 get hit by any of them! LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by HatmanTV
Great point!
I never understood how earnie shavers is considered such a great puncher. If you add up the cumulative record of his opposition its probably something like 200 wins and 700 losses ;D
The whole "hardest puncher" thing is one of those abstract questions. Different kinds of punches, different physiques lead to different kinds of power. But quality of opposition is a major factor..it's much easier to KO a guy looking to get lucky or cash a quick paycheck than it is fighting quality opp with a desire to win. Lots of guys with high KO % for the first 20-25 fights or so then not see many after that.
Tua has that powder-keg explosive type power that can leave someone's brain a mess. Tyson explosive and fast. Foreman leverage and thudding. Those are my top 3 as well.
No. I awalys thought his one punch power was overrated.Quote:
Originally Posted by CutMeMick
I think it's more a contest between Foreman and Tyson...these 2 were frightening :-)
But let's face it, boxing is a whole...
Klitchko are big punchers, but they want to play the safe side and sometimes rely on "tagging their opponent with jabs and jabs and jabs all night" with the big right hand if you try something.
Now I agree Tyson and Foreman are born with that puncher Talent. in one punch they could end it. simply scary.
Well, when there is only one victory which haven't happened via K.O, I think that we contest what you're saying here, especially because good opposition or not, it doesn't mean that your opponents have no chin at all;Quote:
Originally Posted by HatmanTV
also, for TUA, who did face a much lesser opposition than Vitali, how can you pretend then that he hits harder when he faced a) less opponents, b)with a lesser record overall and c) his % is quite below the one of Vitali?
Sure, he staggered Peter and didn't mangled him, happens, styles make fights, especially because Vitali is known to sacrifice power in order to get more mobility and speed, but to say that TUA is stronger than him, to me, it's pure madness; Even Freddie Roach said that Vitali is one of the hardest puncher he ever saw from his own experience, and the guy has seen... well, a lot.
As for against Lewis, shall I say that Tyson too caught him flush a few times during their meeting (even if Tyson got mangled) and that still, Lewis received very well the few flush shots he absorbed? Based on that argument, I could say that Tyson doesn't hit hard and it would be totally wrong to assume that, it just happens that the biggest hitter do not get down a guy for various reasons.
I am not saying he's THE hardest, if you read my post, I said that Joe Frasier and Foreman were definitely on top of the pile as well but to say TUA is stronger and to say that Vitali ain't hitting that hard... that is a bit exaggerated.
Shavers always gets a mention because anyone who ever fought him said that he is the hardest hitter they ever faced.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cortez The KillerQuote:
Originally Posted by HatmanTV
Great point!
I never understood how earnie shavers is considered such a great puncher. If you add up the cumulative record of his opposition its probably something like 200 wins and 700 losses ;D
The whole "hardest puncher" thing is one of those abstract questions. Different kinds of punches, different physiques lead to different kinds of power. But quality of opposition is a major factor..it's much easier to KO a guy looking to get lucky or cash a quick paycheck than it is fighting quality opp with a desire to win. Lots of guys with high KO % for the first 20-25 fights or so then not see many after that.
Tua has that powder-keg explosive type power that can leave someone's brain a mess. Tyson explosive and fast. Foreman leverage and thudding. Those are my top 3 as well.
There are 2 clinchers for me: Muhammad Ali & Larry Holmes.
Muhammad fought some of the biggest punchers of all-time & he cites Shavers as the hardest.
Larry Holmes, who fought both Tyson & Shavers said that Shavers was the harder hitter.
I believe that Shavers is more heavy handed that Tyson for instance, but I believe Tyson is the more effective KO artist; a man more likely to KO a top quality opponent than any other HW in history because of his handspeed, two handed power & combinations.
Earnie Shavers was probably the hardest hitting.
Joe Louis, George Foreman, Earnie Shavers...I think those guys deserve the nod over Tua
I can't believe people are questioning the power of Earnie Shavers. We're fans, we look at footage and we form opinions.
Shavers has on his resume 3 guys who claim he was the hardest puncher they've ever faced: Holmes, Ali, and Cobb. I'm sure more would admit it, but those are probably the only 3 guys out of his KO victims that can remember fighting him.
That covers a lot of ground. Ali of course fought Liston, Lamar Clark, Frazier, Foreman, Chuvalo, Quarry, ect ect. Holmes fought Tyson. Cobb Made his rounds as well.If these 3 guys say Shavers was the hardest puncher they've ever fought, I'm inclined to believe them.
SOme of you forget that punching power is just that: punching power. We're not talking about greatness or any other factor. There are a ton of clubfighters and journey men out there who hit harder than some of the current belt holders. Doesn't mean they are better fighters, it just means (if you agree with the assessment that punchers are born) they were blessed with a lot of power.
KO ratios are NOT meaningless. Like power, there are a ton of journeymen and club fighters who can take a punch better than a lot of upper-class guys and belt holders. Again, doesn't mean they are better fighters, just that they were born with a better chin. Take for example a guy like Sanderline Williams. Journeyman as best, 25-16 I think, but out of that 16 losses he was only stopped once. He took guys like Merqui Sosa, Nigel Benn, Gerald McCllelan, James Toney (Twice) the distance. So if someone blew him out in the first round, would that not be impressive??
I think the distinction also needs to be made between huge power and Great Puncher. They are not the same thing. Joe Louis was a better puncher than Tua, but there is no way he generated the same power in his punches. Tua was a BIGGER puncher, Louis was a BETTER puncher.
Joe Frazier doesn't deserve to be mentioned. AMAZING left hook, so-so right hand, but most of his ko/tko wins were accumilation. More often than not Joe would bang away at his opponent and wear them down before the KO.
A huge puncher (guys like Julian Jackson) will more often than not blast a guy out with one punch.
Ah no. Lost every big fight he was inQuote:
Originally Posted by holmcall
Quote:
Originally Posted by Majesty
tyson lives up to his name as the hardest puncher in the game
If tyson caught someone flush in the late 80s, early 90s they werent rocked...or knocked down they were out of the fight completely
Hardest hitting heavyweight for me is Earnie Shavers. Not very talented but seemed to change fight's with 1 knockout blow.