How important is strength in punching power?

[OMGWTF]

Ive always suspected some guys like Foreman Tua etc hit hard because they are very strong, and some guys hit hard (tyson, pacman) because they are very fast.

One punches sharp (tyson /pacman)

One punches slow but with great force (george /tua/ rocky)

Remember george was the same weight as tyson, so it was another factor/'s other than sheer weight. Also Rocky wasnt particularly heavy or fast and yet he hit like hell.

So theres alot more to punching power than just speed and bodyweight.

[godlikerich]

It can be a factor. But without technique it is rendered obsolete.

[ChrisPontius]

Not very important. Hearns at 147 had the strength of my red-headed 8 year-old cousin, but he hit as hard as any welter that ever lived. Same for McClellan or Louis.

[PowerPuncher]

Originally Posted by ChrisPontius

Not very important. Hearns at 147 had the strength of my red-headed 8 year-old cousin, but he hit as hard as any welter that ever lived. Same for McClellan or Louis.

NO, to be that explosive you need serious strength in your punching muscles, not necessarily muscles for show but your punching muscles, ie hips, your core, shoulders.

But technique and shifting your weight quickly using your whole body are just as important, the latter being physiological ability as much as technique

[MagnaNasakki]

For power? Very important.

The stronger you are, the more force you can generate from your muscles.

But often, knockouts are about timing and speed. Very, very often. And that kind of impact comes from technique, experience, and fast-twitch muscle explosiveness.

Power is less of a factor in a knockout than most fans think.

[blagovech]

with speed and accuracy it could be pretty dangerous depends on the fighter though

[john garfield]

Strength is one small component. Nobody's ever been able to figure out how Lew Jenkins -- a walking cadaver -- punched so hard.

[Seamus]

Originally Posted by blagovech

with speed and accuracy it could be pretty dangerous depends on the fighter though

I wish you were faster and more accurate about finding out who that is in your avatar.

[JeanPaulValley]

Originally Posted by MagnaNasakki

For power? Very important.

The stronger you are, the more force you can generate from your muscles.

But often, knockouts are about timing and speed. Very, very often. And that kind of impact comes from technique, experience, and fast-twitch muscle explosiveness.

Power is less of a factor in a knockout than most fans think.

[blagovech]

Originally Posted by Seamus

I wish you were faster and more accurate about finding out who that is in your avatar.

[The Spider]

Technique and timing are at least as important as strength. Hearns is one good example of this, but there are many more.

[Lord Tywin]

Hearns
Saddler
Wilde
Jenkins

The list of guys who werent physical powerhouses but could knock your head into the cheap seats with a punch is long.

Then there are guys like Foreman who have no punching technique at all but make up for it with enormous strength.

I think it depends on the person.

[TheSouthpaw]

Originally Posted by OMGWTF

Ive always suspected some guys like Foreman Tua etc hit hard because they are very strong, and some guys hit hard (tyson, pacman) because they are very fast.

One punches sharp (tyson /pacman)

One punches slow but with great force (george /tua/ rocky)

Remember george was the same weight as tyson, so it was another factor/'s other than sheer weight. Also Rocky wasnt particularly heavy or fast and yet he hit like hell.

So theres alot more to punching power than just speed and bodyweight.

Great thread my man. But I think you may need some help with having punches and contact explained to you. ( from my point of view ). Your right about Foreman possessing great brute force Power, and your right about Tyson havin that speed+power and I do like how you threw Pac in there amongst a handfull of HW's...Strength is always important when talking about Punching Power, but not always necessary. If a boxer has it and knows how to use it and has good enough defense to match his Power shouts then thats great, but not always the case. Same goes for Pac division 147. There are great fighter throughout the history of boxing that werent known as the strongest or most powerful fighters..guys that were known for Knockin people out. And history will tell you that these guys that arent puttin all the opponents out, are the greatest fighter ever. Great, smart boxing is how you expose a man who he throwin hands with you simply to knock you out, stay calm, keep your hands up, use your head movment, and when the big guy misses!!..You make him pay.

[The Funny Man 7]

The fight between Freddie Pendtleton and Rafa Ruelas is an interesting clash of sharp, ambush power against slower, stronger, clubbing shots. Obviously a lot of other variables went into shaping that fight, but its one case where two formidble hitters with two different types of power fought.


I once read a fascinating piece in a very old Ring Magazine where Georges Carpentier talked about everything that factors into knockout power.

He pointed out very astutely that for a all their supposed strength guys like Marciano and Foreman etc almost always scored their knockouts by gradually beating their opponents senseless with a number of shots, while fighters with a greater focus on skill, fluidity, and timing, like himself and SRR etc scored far more one punch knockouts through precision, mechanics, and the element of surprise.

[The Funny Man 7]

JG its interesting that you brought up Lew Jenkins. That guy has always fascinated me. It sounds like he was a terrifying puncher, especially judging by the way he completely evicerated a very underrated great like Lou Ambers (twice).

I also saw a photo from a fight between Jenkins and Armstrong. Jenkins was on the canvas but Armstrong's face was an ungodly mess. I honestly wouldn't have known it was Henry Armstrong if not for the caption. It looked like someone had set his face on fire and put it out with a shovel.

Can you share any stories about Jenkins? Who do you reckon hit harder, him or Ike Williams? Hoping to hear anything on the matter.