Wondering who was, in your estimation, the hardest puncher in each weight class. Here's a shot at mine: Heavy: Joe Louis (hit Schmeling in the side and fractured his back with the impact, good enough for me) Cruiser: Rocky Marciano (wasn't any such thing as cruiser in his day, but that's his true weight class) Light heavyweight: Archie Moore over Bob Foster (surely a debatable pick) Super middle: Nigel Benn Middle: Stanley Ketchel Junior middle: Julian Jackson Welter: Ray Robinson Junior welter: Aaron Pryor Lightweight: Roberto Duran Junior light: Alexis Arguello Feather: Sandy Sadler (over Prince Naz) Junior feather: Wilfredo Gomez Bantam: Carlos Zarate Junior bantam: Khaosai Galaxy Flyweight: Jimmy Wilde Junior fly: Humberto Gonzalez Straweight: Ricardo Lopez
Isn't it odd when people say power is overrated? That power is the least important attribute for a boxer? Then you think about the hardest punchers in each weight class and names like Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Roberto Duran, Ricardo Lopez, Alexis Arguello, Wilfredo Gomez come to mind. Which happen to be some of the best if not the best fighter ever from those weight classes.
I'd put shavers in at heavy maybe and foster in at light heavy but no quibbles with any of them really
The most recent potential candidates that come to mind are Randall Bailey, Lucas Matthysse, and Danny Garcia's hook...
I think it's the single most important attribute. If you can punch, you have a chance, always. And I think having power is the foundation to making a great boxer. There are exceptions to the rule, but that's my personal philosophy.
I'm not here to argue my point for anyone I picked. Just my opinion. I'd like to see some others weigh in from top to bottom.