Two of the hardest punchers in modern boxing history p4p, Probably the hardest punchers in the sport p4p along with Deontay Wilder. It's really hard for me to say. Beterbiev has the higher KO percentage and has knocked out everybody he has faced. But I think a lot of that is due to a superior skillset and ability to apply the power learned from a long amateur career. Smith Jr. is a more crude fighter who sometimes struggles to deploy the power. Beterbiev seems to have the heavier hands and ability to generate power from short shots. Smith Jr. seems to have more snap and explosive power to his shots. Both get great leverage. Tough call here.
Kinda like GGG vs Lemieux argument. Beterbiev and GGG have better placement of their punches which is effective in methodically breaking down an opponent. Lemiux and Smith may have more raw power but don’t have the technical skills so a lot of their punches are thrown from out of place.
Beterbiev. Joe Smith Jr puts his all into everything he throws. Betebiev gets similar results with short untelegraphed hooks.
This. Beter can knock you down with almost no wind up to his punch. Joe throws his entire body into his punches. They both hit very hard though.
Beterbiev has more effective power punches. He doesn’t need to wind it up and swing for the fences to generate power. He can stop you with a short straight shot. Now that is chilling world class power. The bigger puncher isn’t just about who can land the heavier single shot on a limited opponent. It’s also about who has the heavier hands and has stopped every single opponent they have faced as a professional.
Beterbiev never loads up or telegraphs his punches. Smith does however and as a result has the bigger bomb. Ask yourself, who would you rather get into a street fight with? The BETTER puncher always wins, not the biggest puncher.
Beterbiev hits a lot harder. He is one of the hardest hitters in the sport pound for pound no doubt. I wouldn’t put Smith Jr in that category. Solid puncher but not deadly power
