How important is strength in punching power?

[MagnaNasakki]

Originally Posted by 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.

That element of surprise is so key. Seeing a punch coming in any meaningful way allows the body to prepare for it, and the boxer to roll with it, partially block it, or defend against it SOMEHOW.

The big, flush, surprise shot can spark a guy. I've walloped on people with no effect, having to just beat them down, then watched another guy with a worse record spark em with a weak looking punch. I think surprise and timing are EVERYTHING.

[john garfield]

Originally Posted by 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.

Tough question, TFM7. By the look of them, one would instantly pick Williams -- shredded 'n all sinew -- a picture puncher.

When Jenkins took off his robe he looked like he should've been on life support at a hospital.

But the moment he hit anybody with his right -- sparring or in a fight -- they looked like they stepped on the third rail.

If anybody looked at him crosswise (or he thought they did) after sparring, he'd flatten them too, then jump on his motorcycle 'n roar outta Stillman's for booze 'n more trouble till the next day.

A vampire needed blood. Jenkins also had a bloodlust. He'd tackle no matter how many or how big. It wasn't anger that fueled him; it was love for fighting.

[frank]

i think the mistake people make is thinking that thin fighters are weak, examples of hearns and jenkins were given.strength has nothing to do with muscular size,sugar ray leonard said that hearns was much stronger than he was,same with spinks as a light heavy,thin but very strong.tendon attachment,bone length and other variables effect strength.while i agree you can't "slap" with your punches like gene fullmer and treavor berbick and have a knock out punch,because they were so strong there punches still had a thudding type of force.think of it,a bear or gorilla wouldn't execute a properly thrown punch,but,by sheer strength, would kill you.

[FIN]

Tommy Hearns looked like a strong wind would blow him over but he hit like a heavyweight..

[Bokaj]

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.

Arguello must be a supreme example of this. In terms of pure power his punches doesn't look that devastating to me, but the timing and accuracy of them is just something else.

[MrBumboclart]

I'm coming to the conclusion that punching power is all to do with the kinetic chain and how well your body works AS A WHOLE - not necessarily legs, shoulders, individual muscles e.c.t. It's how well you can GENERATE power than TRANSFER it through your whole body. You could generate a shit load like power lifters but if you're not flexible enough or you chain is weak in a certain area (e.g. shoulders, technique, snap) then it is worthless.