Would love to hear what you guys think. It's easy to say "early KO", but one can argue that an early KO is a fluke. Or the guy "got caught", or he was a better boxer but the other fighter just had more power. On the other hand beating someone on points over 12 rounds but not getting any KO might seem dominating to some (I'm thinking of Ali in that fight someone described as a child pulling the wings of a fly or something - was it Patterson?). So I just wanted to see what the majority view is. *edit: OK did some research. It was Patterson, but the fight was stopped in the 12th round. From the website I found: "About the champ's second title defense, The Times' Robert Lipsyte writes: "Like a little boy pulling off the wings of a butterfly piecemeal, Cassius Clay mocked and humiliated and punished Floyd Patterson for almost 12 rounds tonight until the referee halted their heavyweight championship bout because the challenger was 'outclassed.'" " Assuming a 12 rounder: A) KO / TKO in first round B) winning all rounds en route to an early KO (e.g. round 4) C) winning all rounds en route to a mid-late KO (e.g. round 10) D) winning all rounds but no KO
Winning all rounds to an early KO. 1st round KOs are massively overrated in terms of how good/bad a fighter is.
Lewis V Tua...and even better Calzahge v Lacey - they were 12 punishing rounds were Lacey always had a "hope" but really was just humiliated and shown up for the whole fight. The opponent probs would like to go the distance but maybe after its over may have wished not the day after as they're usually very sore all over after being punished over 12 long rounds. In terms of health risks I guess a 1st round KO is probs less damaging than being battered for 12 rounds. In terms of damage mentally to a fighter being whupped every round of a fight destroys your confidence...a quick KO loss you can tell yourself that you got caught cold and maybe next time you'd take it better...a total ass whoopin would leave you with what?
Getting dominated in the "sweet science" and being completely outclassed is most impressive to me. Examples like Winky/Tito, Hopkins/Pavlik, Calzaghe/Lacy. Guys that were so much better and superior than their opponent that the can play around in the ring.
I would say that a late stoppage after sweeping the cards is the most dominating usually. There are a few exceptions - Tyson v Spinks being one, that was pure short term domination.
Oh, i didn't realize that there was an option for dominating for most of the fight then winning via KO late. That would be my choice.
I like a domination on way to a late stoppage. It depends on the opponent though. If its a lesser opponent its better to stop him early, otherwise question marks against your power. Against a quality operator, if you dominate all rounds and KO him late that shows everything to me. Great boxing ability, stamina, concentration and finally the power.
Yes. A lengthy lesson is dished out and then a stoppage caps it all and puts the exclamation point on it.