Punching power in the heavyweight division is almost the most important thing.

But Wardley wouldn't be able to do that against a top 5 heavy.

 

Fury is not a big puncher.

 

Someone who is not a big puncher can still deliver a big punch if they get the biomechanics right - no? Think running into an uppercut from someone who uses all of their 265 pounds to deliver it

 

I think that's one of the problems of these guys. They do not commit to get the biomechanics right. And that's why they don't generate power and aren't big punchers.

They don't focus on that part of the game. It begins with focussing on moevement. Then they don't sacrifice control to get into position or find the timing to deliver the right punch. They are optimizing for different things, in the case of Huni to be nimble and agile and fluid and noncommital so he can throw a lot of relaxed punches and evade punches and see what's happening all of the time.

An opponent could still walk into one of their punches, but it is unlikely and the punch will still be way less than a commited punch of someone who focusses on that part of the game.

 

Absolutely. A fighter can do well without having the biggest punch, but without a sturdy mandible, he's taking canvas naps.

 

I think you need at least decent/accurate punches but after that toughness is more important and that includes not gassing and being easy to take out.

Perfect example is Price versus Hammer.
Skill level probably similar.
Price had big power and dropped Hammer. Hammer was tough and had a good engine and eventually wore down Price (who gassed too) and got a stoppage.
Basically Price's power couldn't get it done. Same thing happened versus Thompson.

Also it's pretty remarkable Fury and Usyk both are average punchers and were the two best of this gen.