Would you call Tim Witherspoon a big puncher?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MaccaveliMacc, Aug 21, 2025 at 6:32 AM.

  1. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If so, who could you compare his power to?
     
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  2. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    A respectable puncher I'd say, heavy handed but not on a level of Shavers, Tyson .
    I'd say on a level with Ken Norton or Jersey Joe Walcott.
     
  3. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    His right hand was very good. Better than decent power there I’d say.
     
  4. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    The man cold crack and fight ...
     
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  5. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

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    I'd say he is pretty good puncher, 8 of 10

    Spoon when in shape could score great KO's

    Let's take a look on Spoon's highlights when we talk about power:
    - Hurt Larry Holmes badly
    - KO'd very durable James Tillis in 1 (Tillis went full distance with Tyson and Weaver, as example)
    - KO'd James Broad cold in 2 (another durable guy, was stopped only by Spoon, Du Plooy and Ruddock)
    - KO'd Frank Bruno
    - KO'd Andreas Ecklund in 1 (one of the scariest KO's you'll ever see)
    - KO'd Jorge Luis Gonzalez in 5
    - KO'd usually durable Levi Billups in 1 (went 10 vs young Lewis)

    While being in mid 40s:
    - KO'd David Bostice in 1
    - KO'd Darroll Wilson cold in 2, scary KO

    I think Spoon isn't any worse than, say, Oliver McCall in terms of punching power. They are about equal.
    But guys like Foreman, Tyson, Lewis, Wlad are harder hitters.
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2025 at 3:16 PM
  6. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

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    I would say he could really punch, I’d say he was a puncher. Funny you mention Norton and Tyson in seperate tiers Mr Ferg, I heard recently Holmes say they hit “about the same” lol.
     
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  7. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Tim's overhand rt was a very good KO shot.
     
  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Really?
    Can't imagine Norton hitting as hard as Tyson, but then again I've never being punched by either man... thank God!!
     
  9. Ahmet

    Ahmet New Member Full Member

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    In case anyone don't know, he makes training videos on Youtube. He himself said in one of his videos that his coach told/taught him to throw overhand rights instead of straight rights because he did not pack too much power in his straight rights, and it worked.
     
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  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I wouldn't call Witherspoon a puncher per se but he's not that far off, either.
     
  11. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Witherspoon could hit for sure, He had power!

    But Rocky Marciano, Earnie Shavers, Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, George Foreman and Mike Tyson were on another level. Frank Bruno, you can argue he was on that top tier too.

    I would say he is in the second tier, with Larry Homes, Mike Weaver, Norton, Sonny Liston (yes, I know. But to me Liston's power is not Tyson-esque) Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis, Jack Johnson etc.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2025 at 2:55 AM
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  12. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Yeah i would rank him as an 8/10 puncher. Good puncher. He could wear you down.

    But a notch or 2 below elite punchers like Foreman, Shavers, Liston, Lewis etc.
     
  13. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

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    I wouldn’t be able to post anymore if Norton had sneezed in my direction… those were mean hombres!
     
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  14. Turnip mk3

    Turnip mk3 Active Member Full Member

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    Spoon hit very hard with his right. Fight ending power
     
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  15. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Yes. Maybe not in the context of a top ten ATG puncher but definitely well harder than the average