Mike Tyson’s prime saw him deliver stunning blows to some of the best heavyweights of his generation as he was a true knockout artist.
Even as a teenager, Tyson was delivering finishing blows on his way to becoming a world champion. Now with a record of 50-7, ‘Iron Mike’ earned 44 wins via knockout.
Many would perceive Tyson to be one of the hardest punchers in all of boxing history. Despite his relatively small size for a heavyweight, Tyson had the definition of one-punch knockout power.
However, his former coach Teddy Atlas does not think that Tyson holds the mantle of the hardest-ever puncher, giving it to another boxer.
Mike Tyson is the seventh hardest puncher of all time, according to Teddy Atlas
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, the coach ranked the 10 greatest power punchers in boxing history.
Surprisingly, ‘Iron Mike’ missed out on a place in the top five, as Atlas gave him a ranking of seven.
Underneath Tyson were Bob Foster (56-8-1), Julian Jackson (55-6), and Joe Louis (66-3).
Speaking on Tyson, Atlas said, “Pure power, and speed… One of the great combinations that made his power so devastating.”
The coach went on to add, “Tyson was quick, with his feet and his hands… He could hit you with a shot you weren’t prepared for, because his feet moved so fast.”
Despite placing Tyson at number seven, Atlas feels that there is no fighter in the heavier weight classes who had the combination of both speed and power like ‘Iron Mike’.
In the place above Tyson was Carlos Zarate, one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time. ‘Canas’ retired with a 66-3 record, with 63 wins by knockout.
George Foreman makes top five of the 10 greatest power punchers
There were some notable names who got the nod ahead of Tyson in Atlas’s list. This includes one of the oldest champions in boxing, George Foreman at number five.
Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton, among many others, as he finished his career with 68 knockouts and a record of 76-5.
Number four on the list was heavyweight world title challenger Earnie Shavers. The former Muhammad Ali opponent had 70 wins by knockout, and a final career tally of 76-14-1.
The third greatest power puncher according to Atlas was Sugar Ray Robinson, who earned 109 knockouts in 174 wins before retiring in 1965.
In the runner-up place was Sandy Saddler. The former featherweight and super featherweight champion accumulated 104 stoppage wins, with a career record of 145-16-2.
For Atlas’s pick for the greatest knockout artist ever, he chose Archie Moore. The former light heavyweight champion retired with a record of 186-23-10, with 132 wins coming by way of finish.
His final fight came in 1963, when the American was 49 years old.
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