Remember, not who's the best among them. Purely in terms of power rank the following: Nigel Benn McClellan Florentino Fernandez Julian Jackson John Mugabi Rodrigo Valdez Tony Sibson Benny Briscoe I didnt list the likes of Hearns, and Robinson because they had brilliant skills to go along w/thier brutal power. Whereas the guys listed are more pure punchers.
Julian Jackson McClellan/ John Mugabi/ Nigel Benn Florentino Fernandez Rodrigo Valdez Benny Briscoe Tony Sibson
I think i'd agree with Turpins ranking but put Fernandez in the category below jackson as well.Briscoe, Valdez and Sibson in a tier just below them. The hardest punching of the latter three would compare to those in the tier above them, but was seen less frequently due to styles and mentality imo.Briscoe went for volume more than the others and valdez/Sibson were often trying to be more methodical, smoother boxer-punchers...neither commited with their best shots as often as the others.Sibson especially never quite decided if he wanted to be a more patient technical fighter or an outright pressuring left-hooker.
I think Valdez was capable of hitting just as hard as any of them, personally. Rubin Carter always gets sold short in these lists as well, despite being a relatively small Middleweight.
I actually strongly considered adding Carter to the list. I should have. You can rank him as well if you like. You can even put Trinidad on the list. People forget how impressive the way he destroyed Joppy was.
There's not much in it between Valdez, McClellan, Fernandez, and Jackson for me. Carter would be just below that group. After that I'd go with Briscoe and Benn, followed by Sibson and Mugabi. Mugabi was one of the most devastating punchers I've ever seen at Jr. Middle, but he fell off fast and his power seemed to leave him at Middleweight.
Hagler deserves a mention imo,hes definetly a harder puncher than sibson even htough hes more a wear you down type fighter
No, in terms of raw power Hagler does not belong on the list. Hagler was heavy handed, but not a huge puncher. His strength lied in the sharpness and accuracy of his punches, rather than the sheer power. The guys on the list could end a fight with one punch. Hagler generally relied on accumulation.
They were middleweights to,Mugabi fought for the middleweight title and Jackson won the wbc version of it
