Joe Louis and Hearns are proper classic examples of the perfect blend between technique and power when talking about right hands.
I hate to say this but no one will be more known than Wilder for such a specific one-trick pony punch. And it was a very very dangerous punch.
Michael Spinks was nicknamed after his right hand. It carried enormous power and he brought it in from all angles. He wasn't shy in throwing it either.
As an overall weapon Roberto Duran's right hand was tough to beat. Duran's superior ring IQ made it that much more significant. Starting with the way Duran held his right hand angled out ready to fire. He is the only fighter I've seen hold his right glove like that. No wasted motion it was like a laser. His righthand lead was a sight to behold. Quick and accurate and it usually left a mark. Duran could also counter with it masterfully. His 3rd fight with DeJesus in the 12th round Duran after torturing Estaban for a bit decided to end it. The way it lands on DeJesus's chin was scary. 5 years later at 154 Duran hit Davey Moore with his right that almost had him swallowing his mouthpiece. Ofcourse we know what it did to that horse. Duran's righthand lead had no remorse.
Oh Louis… that’s the best I’ve seen… underrated? Toney, Ali and Mayweather Jnr - GREAT right hands as was Micheal Spinks… too many to say…
Some not mentioned yet, but deserves some recognition. Ray Robinson anyone? The right hand he landed on Graziano, wow, his mouth piece may very well still be in orbit. Ray Leonard's right hand on Ayube Kalule was great, coming out of a clinch , Leonard lands a viscous combination, with a right hand from hell finisher, to drop and stop Kalule who until that fight had never been dropped or stopped. Wilfredo Benitez, lands a screaming round house right hand on Maurice Hope out of the blue. The underrated and often maligned Aaron Pryor landing an overhand right followed immediately by a bolo right uppercut ( one of the rarest combinations I've seen, also one of the hardest to pull off with power, a real testimony of Pryor's ability) against Julio Valdez. Mike Tyson's patented right hook to the body, followed by a screaming right uppercut, that became a little predictable. But very effective. Hagler damn near decapacitating Alan Minter from the south paw stance with right hooks, (Perhaps Minter should've thought about racist comment of never losing to a black man?) Azumah Nelson finishing right hand on Wilfredo Gomez , while he was on his way down........FATALITY
Hi Buddy. Indeed he did, and at the behest of Benny Leonard he employed the punch to slow down and wind the mericall Greb, to wit " I have had enough of Tunney, he is a lot tougher and stronger than people think, his punch to my heart was one of the hardest punches I have taken, and left me breathless at times " and of course he backed Tunney in his title fight with Dempsey, lots of mutual respect between the two. stay safe Melankomas, you have a deep understanding and knowledge of the sport, which is evident in your writings. chat soon. Mike.
I loved Tszyu’s right hand on Judah. It was all about timing and placement with a modicum of grunt effort required otherwise.
Felix Savon’s right hand wasn’t too shabby either. Note there is a collision of heads (slight or not) a split second after Savon landed the right hand. Don’t know if it contributed to David’s discombobulation. Of course it was much a younger and far more svelte Tua on the receiving end. This content is protected
I always think big Frank is overlooked and underestimated, particularly when we are describing 'the basics'. He did the basics very well. Men as big as Frank have not hit as hard, Bruno's technique and work ethic meant he always got the most out of his punches and his right hand was a helluva weapon.
Sad what happened to Ernie Lopez after the Napoles loss… always makes me pause before criticising our gladiators.
I've been waiting for him to come up, but he hasn't. Wilfredo Gomez is up there for one of the greatest right hands in history. It was technically brilliant and laden with power. It was bracketed with guys like Spinks and Arguello in the 80's. Other ATG right hands i don't think I've seen mentioned, Saad's which bailed him out many times, Lennox Lewis' who sported one of the heaviest rights I've ever seen and man could he use it. One historian at one point labelled it the best right in heavyweight history. Other gorgeous right hands include Sandy Saddler, Danny Lopez and Hopkins utilized his brilliantly as well. He caught many a good fighter by surprise when he led with it.