Ingemar Johansson's power:

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Holmes' Jab, Oct 10, 2007.


  1. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    I was rewatched footage of his first fight against Patterson earlier on today. How Floyd kept on rising off the canvas from some of those knockdowns is anybodys guess, this showed if anything his often underestimated fighting heart. It was a devestating win for Johanssson even though it would be avenged by his opponent (twice).


    Just out of curiosity where (at what level) amongst the HW's greats past and present would you rank Johansson's power? (the very top backet consisting of Liston, Foreman, Tyson, Shavers and Lewis)
     
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  2. Zakman

    Zakman ESB's Chinchecker Full Member

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    Don't forget Max Baer on that top level!!

    Johansson, imo, ranks just a level below the top. Maybe lower top ten among HW champs, although that's probably arguable.
     
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  3. Duodenum

    Duodenum Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I tend to classify Ingo's power with Coetzee's. His right hand seemed to be like a rock. I do tend to think of it as an example of "clean" power. Of course he destroyed undefeated Eddie Machen with it, and could turn a match with just one of them scoring to the head. Ingo posted a pair of kayos in round 13, demonstrating that he was dangerous as long as he remained standing. This sets him apart somewhat from individuals like Shavers and Foreman. It wasn't necessary for him to first stun an opponent before dropping him, nor did he need to wear an adversary down before putting him out. His kind of power could even overcome slipshod conditioning. Like Coetzee though, I don't think of him much in terms of his left handed power.

    Patterson's heart alone didn't enable him to get up continually. Floyd also always maintained outstanding conditioning (a generally unmentioned part of his success), and this probably accounts for why nobody ever put his lights out completely (as Floyd did to Ingo in their second bout, or as Leotis Martin did to Liston). Even in his two losses to Liston, Floyd was getting to his feet just as the referee counted ten.
     
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  4. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I would rate his righthand equal to or better than that of anybody you just listed there.
     
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  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Floyd rated it very highly,and Im not joking1
     
  6. Minotauro

    Minotauro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Patterson said he hit harder then Liston.
     
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  7. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ingo had power for sure his Ko over Patterson, His KO over Machen (Liston could not) but Ingo suffered in the other areas
     
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  8. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    Some good replies there, thanks. I'd agree with quite alot of 'em too- his right hand was dynamite. I'd rate him just a bit below the very top bracket, the guy could seriously bang.

    Other greats could perhaps string combinations together better, had better technique, or faster hands. I terms of raw punching power, though Johansson was chilling.
     
  9. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'd rate it about where Fraziers is, about half a notch below the top guys like Foreman, Shavers, Marciano, Cooney, Liston etc.
     
  10. radianttwilight

    radianttwilight Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Don't even try to make this into a racially-charged argument. Race was never mentioned in ANY one of these posts.

    A+ in racially-charged stupidity, though :good
     
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  11. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    That came completely out of left field. Are you just trying to be provocative, or are you just a moron who equates everything to race? And by the way, how do you make your sweeping assumption that everyone's white? Isn't that generalizing with a big broad brush like you idiots accuse white racists of doing?
     
  12. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    The guy is a ****ing lunatic. If you want a good laugh, click on his name and click "find more posts of this user".
    Every one of his posts goes something like this:

    "Lol, clearly you are white guys. That white fighter couldn't box worth of ****, he never faced a big black boxer."
     
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  13. Luigi1985

    Luigi1985 Cane Corso Full Member

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    :lol:
     
  14. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    Bump. I’ve been rewatching Johansson’s fights this week and trying to gauge his power from what film is available. Interested to hear some new opinions on his power.
     
  15. KasimirKid

    KasimirKid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    If he landed squarely with his feet properly set, Ingo had as good one-punch power with his right as anyone I've ever seen.
     
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