Does boxing captivate audiences because of the raw spectacle of two fighters battling in the ring, or is it the clash of contrasting styles that draws fans in? Most casual observers would likely choose the latter. Where else can you see fighters from diverse backgrounds face off to determine who is the best? Among the many aspects of boxing that intrigue fans, one question remains particularly compelling: Who hits the hardest? Throughout the sport’s history, there are names synonymous with extraordinary punching power, showcasing an unrelenting force that often tends to eclipse technical prowess.
So an interesting poser has been doing the rounds on social media. It wants the fans to list out the fighter they feel is the ‘hardest puncher in boxing history. Needless to say, the users only needed a prompt to jump into the fray and drop in their favorite names.
The Boxing Quandary
“Who is the hardest puncher in boxing history?” asked talkSPORT‘s Michael Benson. Answering this question is challenging. How do we define a fighter’s punching power? Is it measured by the sheer number of knockouts scored? If that is the case, then doesn’t one need to check the kind of opposition the fighter faced?
If most of the fights occurred against random journeymen, then it doesn’t make much of a sense to hail the fighter as a hard hitter. Yes, they proved their mettle against more seasoned adversaries, outboxing them with some solid punches, which strengthens the case for being a powerful puncher.
Since the time boxing went mainstream, an array of boxers have amazed audiences with their ability to end fights with a single or just a bare minimum of shots. Historical figures often cited include ‘Big’ George Foreman, ‘Smokin Joe’ Frazier, and, of course, Earnie Shavers. In the contemporary era, one name that crops up most often is that of Deontay Wilder.
Punching powerhouses
So what is the right answer? Let’s check what some of the fans listed out as their choices.
This fan had Foreman in their sights. They shared how the oldest boxing champion in history defeated Frazier, Ken Norton, and Michael Moorer. Considering the kind of opponents he fought over the years, the fan seemingly disapproved claims for Deontay Wilder. “Don’t know why people are saying Wilder, he knocked out bums; George Foreman is the hardest puncher in boxing history; he knocked out Frazier (2x), Norton, and Moorer.”
Wavering between George Foreman and Ernie Shavers, another fan said, “Pound for pound? That’s a difficult question, but [for] heavyweights, it has to be George Foreman or Earnie Shavers.”
“In history? Has to be Julian ‘The Hawk’ Jackson!” said another user. Probably the fact that ‘The Hawk’ won nearly 89% of his fights through early stoppages must have weighed heavily on the user’s mind. But with 70 of his wins coming by way of sharp knockouts, it was ‘The Puncher of the Century’, Earnie Shavers, for the following fan. For reference, they added Muhammad Ali and George Foreman’s past references. “Earnie shavers as Ali, Foreman, and Frazier said,” the fan highlighted.
via Getty
But it wasn’t all so serious for a few followers. Like this one took a neat jibe quoting ‘Ivan Drago’s name. The fictional character from ‘Rocky IV’ rather stood way ahead of ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. This is what they said: “Only one right answer here: Ivan Drago. Followed closely by Mike Tyson.”
That’s not all; one fan found it hard to pick between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson! A fan mentioned John Mugabi‘s name as well. Nevertheless, it might be surprising to some why Artur Beterbiev‘s name didn’t find that many mentions. He is the only champion with a 100% rating. Or, for that matter, Gervonta Davis.
Though many opinions overlap, there doesn’t seem to be any consensus. The debate highlights the subjective nature of evaluating punching power. However, strictly based on historical endorsements and records, Earnie Shavers often stands out. As George Foreman had famously remarked, “I never fought Earnie Shavers. Thank Goodness.”
