Rank these MW based solely on punching power

Yes, when you had to weigh in on the day of the fight you are likely to fight in the ring a lot closer to your weigh-in weight than when you can weigh-in the day before. Plus modern methods of cutting water from your body allows even greater differences between weigh-in weight and in-the-ring weight.

 

McCellan
Ketchel
Benn
GGG
Graziano
Robinson

 

No Rodrigo Valdez

 

1. Robinson A 50 second, first-round ko over Basora was a record for over 30 years. KO'd Olson, By U.S. standards he dropped Hecht with a bodyshot, but was illegal in Germany, it was turned to a NC. Had the power to stop Turpin who was on a hot streak. Looking at his record; 3 years without a loss. Per my Ring magazine, stated even though Ray was up on the cards, Turpin cut him, so he went wild, proving he could turn it up and hurt 'em when he wanted to.
Add on Kid Marcel who had only been stopped once or twice in 18 years, Ray smoked him. Then Graziano, these were guys who weren't easy to drop.

My main reason is longevity. If Ray fought today, he would've been too durable.
Take McCellan, Benn, even Julian & put them back in a day where they had to fight 20 times a year. and as mentioned ...same day weigh ins....McCellan aint coming in at no 175lbs. These guys are all reduced to same day weigh ins, Ray would outspeed, out manuever, plus he had one punch KO power to add on.

2. Ketchel.
Since he retired with 46Kos out of 49 wins, I'm going strictly by a 79% KO ratio. No fights to see how they all occurred. But that's ruthless & again he did it on same day weigh.


3. Graziano. Since he stalked at barely 5'7 that means his arms were pretty big, strong, so he's swinging with maximum power upward, not down. I think his uppercuts would surpass any on the lists, though I'm guessing. 80 fights in only 10 years?

I put Gman 4th & Benn 5th.
Now if the older guys were fighting today, I'd rank Gman probably 2, no lower than 3. But I'm placing everyone on this list back in the olden days.
No same day weigh in, fighting often, I don't think Gman even fights at MW. & while Benn fought often, I see his his stoppages based more on a accumulation of punches.

 

GGG
Ketchel ( Based on reputation, not film )
McCellan
Graziano
Benn / Robinson

But as someone else mentioned the glove weight has something to do with it, so add a bit to the modern fighters and take off a bit for those who fought decades ago. We are strictly grading power here, correct?

Robinson had very good speed, and placement, which helped him get stoppages, but he really was not a true blaster at middle weight. Welter for sure.

 

This is how I see it too.

 

Going off the fighters I've actually seen. Not in any particular order. Hurricane Carter, Briscoe, Zale, Benn, Mcllean, Graziano, Obeijimas and Sibson. I'd also throw in Mugabi and Jackson, but they were primarily Jr Middles.

 

McClellan
Ketchel
Benn
Graziano
GGG
Robinson

The top 4 were what I consider brutal fighters with the kill or be killed attitude and murderous power in a more pure way....there is definitely skills among all but Rocky but their intent was to hurt you

GGG could be as powerful but I see him as a more clinical slugger a boxer with big power but not like the first 4


Robinson or SRR has power but he was a boxer puncher a true stylist but he was a small middleweight whose real power was seen at welterweight....his pinpoint accuracy got him a lot of stoppages

 

McClellan
Ketchel
Graziano
Benn
Robinson
GGG

 

1. McClellan
2. Benn
3. Ketchel
4. Golovkin
5. Robinson
6. Graziano

Few quotes on Benn's power:

"I knew he hit hard. But not THAT hard!" - Mbayo Wa Mbayo, who had never been down in his life.

"I've never been hit that hard before and I don't want to be hit like that again. I retire." - Doug DeWitt, after claiming before the fight that Benn's power was overrated

"His punching power is inhuman - absolutely ridiculous. I mean, look -my hands are shaking!" - Chris Eubank, day after Benn fight

"I'm not gonna describe it to you, but it's like having your teeth broken." - Steve Collins on Benn's power