In George Foreman's comeback, did he ever fight a boxer who hit harder than he did?

When he dies his skeleton needs to be shipped to the Smithsonian.

 

Perhaps Morrison had a better left hook since he was a lefty, but with every other type of punch, I clearly give the edge to Foreman.

 

he did not fight shavers so the answer is no

 

I think the straight right cross is the only thing Shavers has over him and even that's debatable honestly. Foreman's raw power on a scale of 1-10 for each punch in the book (jabs, hooks, uppercuts) is probably 10 and that applies to both hands. Shavers right cross might be a 10.5-11.

Thing is, Leroy Caldwell said they were different punchers. Foreman was like a sledgehammer while Shavers was more of an explosive type that vibrated you and send a jolt of electricity throughout your body. Clubbing sensation vs whip like 1 hitter quitter sensation.

 

I think this is a great insight. Though Iron Mike didn't have the overall STRENGTH of Foreman, he did have great leverage and speed. I do think there's a distinct difference.

 

Leroy told Sports Illustrated that George was the hardest puncher he’d ever faced.

https://vault.si.com/vault/1991/03/...-victor-from-his-second-reflect-on-the-ageles

I think the striking thing here, and I’ve seen a few instances of others saying it, is that wherever George hit you, you just went numb. One of the opponents likened it to getting a Novocaine shot at the dentist.

 

Here he says Shavers with a great deal of conviction https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-ne...ers-hit-like-he-was-carrying-a-shotgun/164562 -


Okay, 12 times may seem a lot, but look at who halted Caldwell: Terry Daniels, Cleveland Williams, Roy Wallace, Vernon McIntosh, George Foreman, Gregorio Peralta, Earnie Shavers, Lonnie Bennett, Oscar Bonavena, James Helwig, Pinklon Thomas, and Gerrie Coetzee.

Three of these men were, at one time or another, heavyweight champions, while the others, with the exception of Wallace and McIntosh, were ranked, contenders. But who hit Caldwell the hardest?

Very kindly taking time to answer these questions via social media, the 72-year-old had a quick response:


“Oh, I’m not even gonna hesitate on that one – It was Shavers, Earnie Shavers, no doubt about it,” Leroy told this writer.

“He hit like he was carrying a damn shotgun! George Foreman, I also fought, and he was a great puncher too, as was Gerrie Coetzee, the South African guy; who I fought over there in Johannesburg.

“Also, Ron Lyle and Cleveland Williams, they hit real hard too. But Shavers, he was different, it was like a shocking punch when he hit me. George Foreman, when he hit me, it was more of a “boom” type thing. But during this time, I learned a lot from Bob Foster.


“I trained with him in Albuquerque, at his gym – that was from 1971 to 1973. He taught me a lot. We sparred and he was a great puncher too. It seemed that everyone could punch but me. That’s how, and why, I learned how to be more of a defensive fighter.”

And he has a clip as well where he is very emphatic and at length -

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Shavers right hand is probably the hardest punch in boxing ... Along with maybe Wilders right hand ... But he wasn't the most powerful for overall power ... It was a specific punch that he was able to deliver with top level force ...

Ruddocks smash punch, Tuas left hook, Morrison's left hook, Lewis right hand, Wlads right hand and others are examples of a single type of punch with top level power ... Overall Foreman might be the most powerful puncher since any punch he threw was devastating

 

Shavers had huge power in the left hook as well it's just that it gets overshadowed.

 

He did have a great one, I think he nailed Norton with that hook really good.

 

It's highlighted really well against Ron Lyle too. That was some hook. Cobb said anything he landed was hard, absolutely anything.

 

I think Holmes said the punch that knocked him down...he thought someone took a flash picture of him.

 

Glass City Cobra is leading some excellent observations. I think as a group we are converging on The Truth.
Some of these MMA types, & pro wrestlers-they can be more or less 6 & a 1/2 feet tall, something well over 250, maybe 270 fairly lean...
But even then-when many also must take PEDs-their actual punch forces are not gonna be as great as those we discuss.
They may be immensely strong, especially with how much raw weight they can lift & move.

But there is diminishing returns or worse after a certain size.
Genetics, practice, fast twitch fibers, proportions, leverage points...
A Shavers may have maximized his potential, but he is mostly a born puncher.
That plus his absolute commitment to the blows.

 

They make some interesting comments on what KD's feel like don't they.

 

Also, Shavers was unable to get good footing on a slippery canvas against Cobb or the shots would have been even harder.