Fastest heavyweights of all time

Are we measuring foot speed too? I do not know why someone said it dos not matter, that makes a huge difference in overall speed.
It is like not working out the legs & trying to win a bodybuilding or strength contest.

Also, are we not rating for *absolute* speed?
It seems to me that if so, we should not give a handicap for being bigger or heavier.
Perhaps give credit for being bigger, but it does not mean you are absolutely faster.

Unless we are talking about guys who are under 200 lbs.
Since what a HW IS changed from guys under the LHW limit, to over 60 years of at least 175 lbs., & guys who were HW before now with rehydration would routinely be LHW, often Cruiserweights...

Maybe we should at least make a separate list for guys under 200 lbs.
Who we can compare to or include CWs, whose in ring weights tend to be heavier.

 

Hand speed Patterson
Foot speed 60s Ali

 

Michael Dokes had some fast hands that's for sure.
Patterson too. Tyson as well.

 

Andy Ruiz is a nice honourable mention. Also good as an example of hand speed with clout. Many fighters can pull off uber fast combos compromised of fluff punches. However, to do same with full commitment to your shots is another thing again - dare I sneeze “Joe Louis” yet again? Yes, I think I will.

 

Tony Tubbs was not only a specimen but had the fleetest of hands. Heavyweight James Toney, another specimen, also had very quick hands. Jimmy Abbott, long underappreciated South African fistic wizard, was a blur in the ring. Unsurpassed.

 

I know he was referenced in someone’s list earlier in this thread but I just want to reaffirm that Corrie Sanders had a very nice, fast set of hands - and very accurate too.

While it might be relative to lower weights, it’s always impressive to see such a big man display that type of speed - but still impressive in absolute terms also. Speed kills and just in its own right, can sometimes literally make all the difference.

When SRL lost his peak speed due to ageing etc, notwithstanding all round skills otherwise, he moved that much closer to being a mere mortal - even before round one was out v Norris, you could see that Terry’s advantage in hand speed was going to be the defining factor - and it was.