Probably no one , allthough Jack Johnson said that Choynsky hit harder than Fitz. "Jeffries had a solid wallop, and Fitz could knock your brains out ,but that Choynsky,he could plumb paralyze you"
That is my suspicion as well (at least out of all of the modern guys) McClellan misses getting the nod because he's actually a dehydrated lightheavyweight.
Julian Jackson of course. maybe Ricardo Mayorga also. worth mentioning : Reggie Johnson , Roy Jones , Nigel Benn , Sam Langford (when not extremely fat) never underestimate the great combination of HGH+steroides+weightlifting
So what are you saying? Most modern hardhitters are steroid users? Im not saying its not true but innocent until proven guilty surely. Only Jones on your list was known to use steroids. Reggie Johnson hit nowhere near as hard as Fitzsimmons.
Jeffries did in fact say that Choynsky hit him harder than anyone, he made the quote when referring to a punch from Choynsky that drove his top lip through his teeth.,it had to be pulled out by his seconds.
:think True, largely. You do have to make allowances for fighters in Benn's time being "better" at it, though. Does Fitz's training manual recommend the usual course of dehydration? I don't quite recall.
While I dont doubt Ketchel was a terrific middleweight puncher, Fitz was a terrific heavyweight puncher. Ketchel stopped 1 heavyweight Porky Flynn ,who was kod 13 times,Fitz and Choynsky stopped many big men.
Still though, lacklustre showing or not Ketchel DROPPED Jack Johnson. He could definitely bang at any weight. I think it's a valid argument.