Where would you rank Zhang among the greatest heavyweight punchers in history?

Not even close,,

 

Extremely high. I believe Zhang is the one of the very few guys in boxing history who knocked down his opponents in EACH of the fights that he didn't win:

- Jerry Forrest (3 times)
- Filip Hrgovic (1 time)
- Joseph Parker (2 times)
- Agit Kabayel (1 time while being deadly tired himself)

I rank Zhang among the hardest hitters of all time, and, furthermore, ullnlike guys like Lewis or Wilder who had elite right hand but average left hook, Zhang has elite power in both hands like Wlad, Foreman or Tyson did

 

Probably hit about as hard as a Simms or Merrit.

 

Top 10 or top 12-13.

He is one of the most ducked heavyweight in the last 20 years... easy

 

Obviously has heavy hands, but against top ten guys who has he stopped (not dropped) Joyce, faded Wilder (probably out of the top ten by that point)

Great punchers stop guys. He couldn't stop Kabayel, Parker, or Hrgy. Awesome power? Yes he has it but it's difficult for me to rank him among the best ever when he has only stopped a couple of guys worth a damn.

 

He's a much harder puncher than Shavers, that's for sure.

 

Shavers often failed to stop guys. Is he not a great puncher in your eyes?

 

That's a good point, maybe I'm overthinking this (puncher vs power vs finishing)

 

Yes, punchers and finishers are different things, and it's rare to have a great puncher who's also a great finisher. Zhang is a pretty mediocre finisher, I'll grant you, and the number of fighters he's let off the hook by gassing or failing to follow up is pretty damning for him. Jerry Forrest is the biggest example.

 

I think Zhang is a brilliant example of timing x technique x power. I don't think he is one of the objectively hardest hitters but he puts the three elements i mention together as well as anyone. I'd bet if you 'measured' their punch power, Dubois might 'hit harder', ie have more measurable power, but Zhang is the more effective, efficient puncher...

 

I dunno man. He seems ridiculously heavy handed to go with his excellent timing and technique (and underrated handspeed). Dubois utilises more of his body in throwing his shots so I can see what you mean. Like Zhang is basically all upper body, almost arm punches thrown from a pretty static base, while Dubois is more dynamic and swings for the fences more.

 

Zhang hits incredibly hard but it is also a lot to do with his timing than his punch power which is exceptional as well.

When Zhang lands, you know its going to hurt.

 

Purely punching power? As fucking massive and heavy-handed as he is, he rates extremely high. Don't know where exactly and it's impossible to say without getting hit by a bunch of them. I'm confident in saying he likely hits harder than a lot of greater heavyweights known for their punching power.

 

Zhang hits hard. Period. To say any more smacks of "recency bias."

The cult of Zhang on here is puzzling to say the least, particularly when we're discussing a guy whose accomplishments in the sport warrant little more than a footnote historically.