The Top Five Hardest Hitters In Heavyweight Boxing History

Sports - Boxing

By: Anthonyj74 17-Feb-2011

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Introduction:

When it comes to heavyweight boxers, punching power is the name of the game. Fast, skillful, technical boxers are great, but nothing quite electrifies a hardcore boxing fan like pure, unadulterated punching power! Here is a list of the top five (in my opinion) hardest hitters in heavyweight boxing history!

George Foreman

When it comes to bone-breaking, jaw-shattering power, "Big" George Foreman had few pugilistic peers. Whether it be a sweeping hook, a pulverizing right, or a lethal uppercut, Foreman could (and did) pulverize many a men with a single shot. Even ol' George Foreman, all 45-years and 250 pounds of him, knocked out 26-year-old champion Michael Moorer with one right cross thrown with bad intentions.

Earnie Shavers

Earnie Shavers, aka the Acorn, was a brutal puncher. Not known for his slick boxing skills, Earnie was a two-fisted brute who carried dynamite in either hand. Owning one of the highest knockout percentages in heavyweight history, Shavers sent world champion Larry Holmes crashing to the canvas courtesy of a nuclear right hand during their title match. Only Holmes' will and grit prevented Shavers from winning the heavyweight championship that night!

Mike Tyson

Mighty Mike, Kid Dynamite, Iron Mike -- Mike Tyson was so good and so explosive that one nickname was not enough; he had three! But nicknames aside, Mike Tyson was, at his finest, a physical phenom with a brutal combination of speed and power that gave "Iron" Mike one of the highest first round knockout percentages in heavyweight history. Winning the championship at age 20, Tyson obliterated opponents like a steamroller, often times winning fights before the match started; a testament to his aura of "bad intentions" reducing many opponents from brave warriors to sacrificial lambs.

Lennox Lewis

Lennox Lewis played chess. He spoke with a soft, british accent that affected a cultured, learned upbringing. He didn't court the limelight; he didn't act boorish, thuggish or outlandish like so many elite athletes do. But Lennox Lewis did do one thing very well: knock people unconscious! At 6'5" and 245-pounds, Lewis was an imposing mountain of a man. His height and reach, combined with his natural strength, allowed him to generate concussive power, especially with the right hand. His blitzkrieg kayo of Andrew Golota, and his spectacular kayo of the durable and formidable Razor Ruddock testify to Lewis' punching prowess!

Rocky Marciano

What's a 5'10", 189 pound so-called heavyweight doing in a list of history's hardest hitting heavyweights? He's occupying a deserved spot on that list, that's what! Rocky Marciano, aka the Brockton Blockbuster, was a powerful, crude slugger. A master boxer he was not. His idea of boxing finesse was to wade forward in a crouch, head low, winging shots at every exposed spot on his opponent. His bread and butter punch, the right cross, nicknamed "Suzie Q," was a howitzer. He won the heavyweight title after separating champion Jersey joe Walcott from his senses with one of the hardest punches to ever land.

Final Thoughts

Do you agree? Who did I leave out? Who did I include that you feel doesn't deserve to be listed? Please tell me!

Give this list a high five!

Comments

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Anthonyj74 2/22/2011
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To: Workhomeunion

I agree. The power of those three fighters combined could probably topple a building. There's hard hitters, and then there's the Foreman, Shavers, and Tyson types of hitters: the ones that occupy a special place!
workhomeunion 2/18/2011
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The top 3 on your list, Foreman, Shavers, and Tyson, just seeing their names on one list scares me. It's amazing how neither one of them, to my knowledge, didn't kill anyone, as hard as those guys hit. I'm sure their opponents thought they were actually being hit with a brick, instead of a fist in a glove. hi5
Snakesmom 2/17/2011
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Great list of heavy hitters! :) H5!