Joe Louis had the greatest right hand in history

The left uppercut was what finished Joe, it was the right that sent him through the ropes.

 

I agree that there were others who had more power in their right, like Max Baer, Rocky Marciano and Earnie Shavers, but Louis was far more effective in the way he used his power, with far more economy and textbook correctness. Gene Tunney was textbook perfect as a boxer, and Louis was textbook perfect as a puncher, in my opinion.

 

Shavers had the most massive overhand right, but, yes!, Joe Louis had the greatest right hand in heavyweight history.

That straight right was truly destructive, but the Louis right hand could also jolt you up close with terrific force. A beautiful hand of a beautiful fighter.

 

Marciano threw some clubbing punches, but also correct ones.

For instance, the famous punch that knocked Walcott out cold in the 13th was a pretty nice, straight correct punch.

 

Louis has only one serious rival for the title of best right hand in history (not hardest)

Ingemar Johansen.

Yes seriously.

 

Marciano's famous right hand that he won the heavyweight championship with against Jersey Joe was the single most devastating right hand in boxing history, in my opinion, but that kind of shot was not that common with Rocky. Joe Louis consistantly landed devastating right hands as well as deadly shots with the other hand more so than anyone else. He was overall, the most perfect puncher in heavyweight history, and ranks near the top overall with all the weight classes considered.