I think too many assumptions are made upon the appearance of a boxer. Frank Bruno for all his bulk was fairly fragile. Recently, Jameel McCline or Valeuv for all their never really hit as hard as one would suspect. Name some fighters who either a) looked fierce and powerful yet fell apart under fire and/or displayed no power or b) looked slovenly and fat but were durable and powerful. Please go back in time and across weight divisions, too. In boxing, as in many sports, I think far too much credence is given to what we assume through appearances.
Tommy Hearns and Bob Foster don't look like they could hurt a fly but they are arguably the hardest hitting fighters of all time.
I agree with that especially a young Tommy Hearns. He had what Emanuel Steward called "little sad puppy dog eyes".
Eric Morales comes to mind. Also, Tony Tubbs could go 12 and put on an exhibition though you wouldn't think it to look at him. Corrie Sander, though tall, wasn't exactly powerful looking but could put a guy on the canvas before he knew what was going on...
Look at Bob Fitzsimmons. If he aproached some tough in a bar they probably wouldnt think twice about taking him on.
Excellent example! Corrie Sanders had a fairly pudgy, flabby, unathletic-looking body, but he could hit like their was no tomorrow. Compare Sanders' body to that of Evander Holyfield. Judging purely on the physical aspects of both of them, one woud assume that Holyfield was the stronger fighter. But Sanders probably hit twice as hard!
Of course if a fighter displays some definition one could equate that with him being serious and being in condition, but some less knowledgeable boxing fans see big muscles and definition as some sort of super hero like power.
Which adds another element to the discussion in that being in "shape" and in "condition" doesn't necessarily correlate with low bodyfat levels and definition. I know many people personally who have tremendous stamina, strength and overall athletic ability - many with low resting heart rates which is a sign of good cardiovascular health -but who are carrying around a good deal of flab and/or fat. Many times people see a guy with a belly or love handles and assume that he didn't train or that he is not in good condition, and many times that is completely false!
I think McCline was able to live up to the eye test since he was the first to knock down and nearly ko Peter, who was never as down or as hurt (as he was in that fight) as a heavyweight. If anything, Jamile McCline's power could be a bit underrated; though, that could be due to his style of boxing & inability to knock out some guys who have questionable chins (e.g, Wladimir Klitschko). I think that resulted in Peter not giving him respect and getting knocked down 3 times in their fight.
Yeah, really... Who ever tested Peter's chin? I'd like to believe we've got an invulnerable tank in the current heavy scene, but he just never seemed it to me. Speaking of misleading appearances... How about Choynski? Supposedly hit Jeffries harder than Fitz, and was touted by almost everyone he fought as the hardest hitter they ever fought.
