Which Heavyweights KO Record Is Most Misleading When Judging Their Actual Power?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Aug 30, 2026.


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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    In other words , does a Heavyweights high KO percentage mean someone was a harder puncher,or can style, accumulation and the opposition make the numbers deceptive?
    I'm pretty sure there's a few cases of this ;)
     
    Fergy, Aug 30, 2026
    Fergy, Aug 30, 2026
    #1
    Andre2000 likes this.
  2. lone star

    lone star Active Member Full Member

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    Apart from Jimmy Ellis & Ken Norton, most of Earnie Shaver's top opponents got up and came back to stop him. The others on his list weren't exactly top class. Most of his reputation comes from glowing references from Ali, Holmes, Lyle, Cobb & Tillis. Funny quotes and all. I know people will say who better than those that got hit by him know better ? But notice one thing. These all beat him. Sure he hit hard. But the numbers on his record are deceptive.
     
    lone star, Aug 30, 2026
    lone star, Aug 30, 2026
    #2
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  3. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Norton and Young both lost to him and said the same thing about his power.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 30, 2026
    Bokaj, Aug 30, 2026
    #3
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  4. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

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    Tucker had great KO %, but wasn't even close in terms of punching power to Tim Witherspon or, say, Gerrie Coetzee.
     
    Usyk is the best, Aug 30, 2026
    Usyk is the best, Aug 30, 2026
    #4
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  5. Andre2000

    Andre2000 Active Member Full Member

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    Exhibit A

    LaMar Clark

    42 consecutive KOs which may still hold the record, not sure. 43 KOs in total.

    A record littered with debutants and none too impressive nor deep records otherwise.


    https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/9367
     
    Andre2000, Aug 30, 2026
    Andre2000, Aug 30, 2026
    #5
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  6. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Big upvote for Ned Ryerson here.
     
    Boxed Ears, Aug 30, 2026
    Boxed Ears, Aug 30, 2026
    #6
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  7. impacted

    impacted Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Vitali Klitschko's record gives the impression that he was a Ukrainian hybrid of Tyson and Foreman. He was an absolute man of iron, but an all-time great puncher he was not.
     
    impacted, Aug 30, 2026
    impacted, Aug 30, 2026
    #7
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  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Evander Holyfield 44wins 29 Kos.
    Doesn't sound frightening when compared to such as Mike Tyson or Wilder , but Holyfield could absolutely punch.
     
    Fergy, Aug 30, 2026
    Fergy, Aug 30, 2026
    #8
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  9. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Razor Ruddock got a couple knockouts against shopworn versions of Dokes and Bonecrusher. He regressed as a boxer just looking for that one big punch. He did it at the expense of his jab which was pretty good at one time.
    Against top flight competition the Smash wasn't enough. Plus he telegraphed it. Razor could knockout a Greg Page with it not a Tyson or even Tommy Morrison.
     
    ETM, Aug 30, 2026
    ETM, Aug 30, 2026
    #9
  10. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    VitKlit is the poster boy for this. Attrition puncher. with enormous KO percentage.

    Our new champ Hrgovic the same.
     
    catchwtboxing, Aug 30, 2026
    catchwtboxing, Aug 30, 2026
    #10
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  11. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He has a lot of fanatics on here.

    Lewis was open for Klitscko's right hand all-night-long and Vitali still couldn't stop him.
     
    slash, Aug 30, 2026
    slash, Aug 30, 2026
    #11
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  12. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Sullivan or Elmer Ray.
     
    HistoryZero26, Aug 31, 2026
    HistoryZero26, Aug 31, 2026
    #12
  13. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If Wlad hit Lewis like that it would be a night-night.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 31, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 31, 2026
    #13
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  14. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Horrible selections ... two true punchers
     
    he grant, Aug 31, 2026
    he grant, Aug 31, 2026
    #14
  15. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Carnera for sure .. a far better fighter than credit for with his heart ,size, stamina, jab but a puncher, no.
     
    he grant, Aug 31, 2026
    he grant, Aug 31, 2026
    #15
    mcvey likes this.
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