Top 20 greatest punchers in heavyweight history

Oh, geeze I forgot to mention so many stalwarts in the honorable mention. Guys like Terrible Tim Witherspoon, Max Schmelling, John L. Sullivan, Ron Lyle, Kenny Norton, Harry Wills, Peter Jackson, Sam McVey, Joe Jeanette, Luis Firpo, Oscar Bonavena, Gerrie Coetzee, Kallie Knotzee, and the list goes on and on.

 

Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams, Roy Williams, Ray Mercer

 

Sullivan probably deserves an honorable mention for raw power alone, but he obviously doesn't meet the other criteria.

 

Tyson, Louis and Foreman are the top trio etched in stone.

Maybe we should compare the latter half or guys that barely missed out.

-Big Cat Williams: Terrell...anyone else?
-Ron Lyle: Mathis, Garcia, Blin, Shavers and Foreman.
-Bonecrusher Smith: Spoon, Weaver and Bruno.
-Mike Weaver: Mercado, Tate, Coetzee and Truth Williams.
-Tim Witherspoon: Tillis, Broad, Bruno, Eklund, Gonzalez.

There are many others trying to break into that Top 20.

 

His contemporaries couldn't last more than 3 rounds with him over the span of 5 or so years. In his prime, he was not only unbeatable but unsurvivable.

 

Very interesting point. I ran the numbers a few years back: Ali actually stopped a higher percentage of rated opponents than Tyson, if you look at both their careers before prison. During his first career, Ali was quite a dangerous hitter. Obviously he's not as heavy a slugger as Tyson, but what he lacked for in pure punching power, he made up for with dazzling speed, angles and volume.

Very good list SQ. I'd move Marciano up a few notches. The fact that he stopped 100% of his ranked opponents is unique, not just for heavyweights but every weight class. I'd probably have him switch places with Foreman. My reason is as follows: Foreman could be neutralized if you're skillful (Ali, Young), whereas Marciano was always dangerous.

The ability to retain a KO percentage when facing highly ranked opposition is very rare. This is why I'd rank the following men highly in this regard: Marciano, Louis, Dempsey, Tyson, Lewis and Wlad.

 

You just have to be a troll.

 

...Very good list. I've no complaints with that.
Despite my criticisms of Wlad, I do think there is enough footage to show that he is indeed an outstanding puncher when he musters up the courage to let go.

 

I'm loving this list!!! The order in which you listed these fighters is close to perfect if you ask me. Great thread! ( although I would have to put Frazier and Morrison ahead of Dempsey)

 

That none of you simps include Sullivan speaks to your wanting lack of knowledge of the sport.

He is arguably number one on the list

 

Maybe they are influenced by the lack of film footage?

Fitzsimmons is number 17 on that list, did Sullivan hit harder than him?

 

I think Maher should be in there but a solid list.

 

Good list , there all there . Christ Sullivan wheres the footage Seamus.

 

Just for shits and giggles, is it not unreasonable to have Ali there instead of Johansson going by your criteria for a place? Ingo has 1,2 and 3 going for him and Ali has 3,4 and 5 going for him, BUT, IMO, Ali has arguabley a better 1 and 2 than Ingos 4 and 5.

just my two cents

 

Jeff Merritt was a prospect Don King had in the early 70's who could really bang. Rumor has it that he broke Earnie Shavers' jaw in a sparing session during that period. His career sadly was derailed by heroin addition so we never found out how far he could have gone.