Punching power comparison, Lennox Lewis vs Anthony Joshua.

AJ has a better variety of solid punches. there is almost no difference if he throws a left uppercut, a cross, or a body punch. And he is a very good combination puncher. Lewis is more limited. His big punch was the right hand, or the right uppercut. His comination was the 1-2.

 

Yes

AJ can throw any punch effectively and with power.

Average power accounting for all punches is AJ
Max power with a single punch is Lewis

 

It's very, very close I think.
If I had to choose I think LL may have the slight edge in single KO punch power.

AJ has good power in his text book style but slightly predictive combinations.

LL could be less orthodox text book-wise. Maybe had better fluidity with more variable angles - Less predictability.

 

Joshua seems to get better leverage up close when he's throwing those big uppercuts. He's also far better as a combination puncher. However, Joshua still tends to paw with his jab and can still be fairly stiff and robotic when he is attempting to be a boxer puncher. I think he is a natural mid range slugger and fights against Ruiz and Povetkin triggered something in him to want to try and work on long range. I think he'd be better suited to sticking to his guns while improving his stamina and defense. An offensive Joshua letting his hands go is a sight to behold.

Lennox has more long range power in his jabs and right cross. Not as much variety, but he's the smarter ring general. In contrast, outside of clinching and throwing uppercuts, Lennox is not that good close range. The whole pulling the trunks up above the waist trick is proof he wants to avoid close range tussles. But when Lennox does put weight behind his shots, the effects are devastating. Pretty accurate too, you rarely see him missing by a mile or whiffing a lot.

Really it's apples and oranges. They are very different in their mentalities, approaches, and even how they throw. In terms of raw power, I think it's somewhat close but it's hard to tell because Joshua is not only more aggressive, he will often throw at least 2-3 punches, if not more, while Lennox rarely throws more than 2 unless the guy is badly hurt and he knows the coast is clear for him to unload. Lennox also paces himself better by not tensing up and putting a lot behind every punch--even to the point of looking bored and lackadaisical (which cost him dearly on more than one occasion). If the opponent isn't pressing the issue (like again Tua), Lennox will literally just jab, move, grab, cover up, and throw the occasional right hand to keep a guy honest and coast to a decision without even bothering to try to knock someone out.

But gun to my head, I'd say the best way to put it is Joshua hits slightly harder, while Lennox is the better finisher with better accuracy. Joshua's power is maybe an 8.5/10 on average with 6/10 finishing ability while Lennox is maybe an 8/10 on average with 8/10 finishing ability.

 

Where would you rate it on a scale of ten, ten being where Foreman and Shavers belong.

 

Lewis for me. Faster, more snap.

 

Ten probably.

You have to go to somebody like Foreman, to find a fighter whose opponents react the same way when they get hit.

 

if you're in joshua's corner, what are you telling him to do versus fury?

 

Go to the body a lot!

 

I think the jab to the body could be crucial.

 

If you look at some of Lewis's most devastating KO's like Ruddock and Rahman, two durable guys, it seems hard to argue that AJ has that kind of power in his hardest punches, but overall he could be equally powerful.

 

Walk Fury down and jab to the body in the early rounds. Do not respect Fury, that is the worst possible thing you could do. If Fury wants to fight, fight him and counter, if Fury wants to run. Cut off the ring and take the fight to him. Pressure Fury and get him on the ropes a few times and throw a combination or two mostly to the body to break him down and mix em up every now and that to catch Fury by suprise. Fury has developed his head movement over the years so its useless to head hunt. Continously apply pressure and keep your workrate and your punches landed higher than Fury's for the early rounds but don't throw the kitchen sink, you'll gas and this will give Fury time to outbox you. Keep your punch output steady and work him down with your flashy combos to steal the early rounds. Do NOT wrestle with him. Just clinch

Try and win the first 4 rounds with this strategy and make Fury the one who has to increase his punch output to take some rounds. This plays right into year hands because he'll be more likely to exchange with you, or at least he'll just jab more, which means he might not be as mobile. Grind him down some more and mix up your attacks but don't overdo it. Take only a round or 2 replinish your stamina in which you just swap jabs with Fury, in these cool down rounds jab to his torso. The body shots should set in by round 8 or 9 and that's when you can really attack. Fury will be looking to slip and clinch. Throw uppercuts in the clinches to catch him by suprise and push him out of the clinches. Walk him down aggressively and try and take him out. If you drop him, go ALL OUT and try and TKO him afterwards.

You have successfully beaten Tyson Fury

 

Lewis' right wasn't worlds away from Shavers, though probably a bit faster. AJ is a tiny bit more on the Foreman clubbing end of things...I dont rate his punching efficiency or snap as highly as Lewis', though AJ has a possibly heavier left.

 

I think Joshua can hit, probably as HARD as Lewis could. Lewis was the better fighter in other ways...IMHO.