I'm referring only to their offensive skill set. (concerning the highly skilled) I think their power is derived from largely creating opportunities (as you said) and punch placement. There are some outliers that are legit bombers (Hearns for example) that have excellent technique but they are few and far between. You will oft more see guys that don't turn over their shots properly but still have that amazing lights out effect. Hearns is one of the guys I was thinking of when I wrote this. I think he's an outlier and I have no clue how to categorize him. He completely ruins my argument LOL
Joe Calzaghe was considered a pretty good puncher in the AM's and even moreso early in his pro career before hand injuries forced him to totally readjust his style and probably technique. Explosive punchers derive a lot of their power from their base through their core and then through their arms and hands. Really heavy handed guys tend to derive a lot of power through their forearms. Theres exceptions to ever rule and everyone is different so there is no set answer to the question. From personal experience, I could always bang, and I was always a gifted athlete, but those gifts worked against me ultimately and hindered my progression and refinement of skills, and skilled guys -- especially defensively -- usually to almost always, had my number.
On that forearm note, I believe that one of the reason why they are important is that, in the delivery of the power not the generation of it, they allow you to clasp your hand hard and keep it solid at the moment of the impact. This is also a technique spoke about by Dempsey in his book, that I would recommend to everyone, since it really exposes power punching in it's different aspect. Thank you for sharing some of your boxing experience, I like to know where people are speaking from, especially concerning these more technical/practical aspects.
Punchers can be made and born. But I do believe some boxers just can't be punchers no matter what. For example Paulie, I don't care if this dude sits on a punch and hits his opponent when they're not looking, he's not going to knock the dude out. But someone like Jermell who wasn't a big puncher in his early/mid career, has become a pretty big puncher after joining James and Spence. Good post though. Refreshing to read something like this instead of most of the drivel on this forum. That book sounds interesting too, might pick it up.
Born, I have no doubt. If you are not born to be a puncher, you will never, never, ever, be a puncher.
True punchers just have a knack - an ability to not only generate explosive force but deliver it. Dempsey was born with that same knack but the reason he was one of the very best punchers was due to perfecting his technique over many years and battles, from a skinny lad to rugged champion. The amount of experience he picked up was immense. Further, Jack was a two-handed puncher. Hooks, uppercuts, body shots. He didn't have a weak shot. Very different to Deontay Wilder whose right is disproportionally more powerful than anything else in his arsenal. Nowhere near as balanced.
I don't think that's far out. My mate is 34, 5'11 and is 15st with a beer gut. Never boxed or been in a gym. Has hit them punch ball things and tops out every time ( done 4 different ones)
Yeah, I mean if power can be taught to a significant degree, you wouldn't have feather-fisted guys like Paulie who can land 7 flush shots and yield no effect.