Is punching power the most overrated attribute in boxing and are devastating punchers a myth?

I think most fighters power is overrated at the lower weights. At Light Heavyweight and up its not overrated at all.

I think reach is overrated in a lot of cases. You have to be a very good boxer from the outside range for it to be a factor.

 

Reach is basically the greatest advantage a fighter could ask for (considering they are good enough to use it). Not many greats who earned their greatness in divisions they were short in. Usually it’s the guys on the taller side that put the best stamps in the division e.g. Leonard, Robinson, Ali, Foreman.

When you’re short you have to work so much harder, and the tall guy can casual just pop you from outside when you’re trying to rest for a second. Why I have so much respect for guys like Pacquiao, Lomachenko, Canelo & Usyk.

Reach equals an advantage on distance control, distance slows speed dramatically, can negate power etc. Distance is the name of the game. Shorter guy has to be a good bit better than the taller guy to win.

 

Its overrated when these guys bring up a fighter having a 1 or 2 inch reach advantage before the fight. Many tall fighters dont know how to use their reach like Callum Smith and Mario Barrios

 

Considering your long term username here, you actually will pick reach-or wingspan, but more likely effective reach (taking out chest & fingers)...As more important than SPEED?!?
Oh the ironies abound...

 

Well it is if your name is Earnie Shavers. But most punchers at the higher weights are correctly evaluated.

 

Nah, he was a True Juggernaut.
You have to believe that virtually everyone he fought, win or lose, against all reasoning or rationale that they are lying for practical or psychological advantage-are somehow all wrong-or lied.

The reasons given for downgrading him are usually not very intelligent.
Like merely looking at who he KOed & how easily.
Which involves so many other aspects of effectiveness, skill, & general execution.

 

There's been many a times where a fighter has been behind (well behind) on the scorecards getting outboxed only to come back with some nasty KO, punch power can win fights on it's own....defo not overrated.

Look at Canelo Khan or GGG Brook or Froch Taylor or Wilder Ortiz or Takam Chisora.

 

Yes higher weights its a huge factor

 

Murderous punchers are not a myth. But I agree that there's some weird fights where a guy just seems to be able to take everything a massive puncher can throw. And yet they aren't known as iron chinned and got, or would go on to get KO'd by lesser punchers

 

As in heavyweights? Because otherwise they're all basically the same size.

 

Yes HWs, also a lot of people say that some rehydrate much bigger at lower weights too.

 

Who is more skilled than Usyk at the same size? Name me just one from the entire history.

 

Yes, Speed is the most UNDERRATED attribute in boxing.
Floyd was the master of being first... and respect was the result.

 

The same can be said for power. If you know a guy has insane power then you 100% pay him more respect.

I love watching guys with speed though. Speed vs power is the age old debate and is what makes the sport great.