What boxers and sports writers said of Marciano's punching power:

Even assuming it's true, what's the difference to a human skull? It's like asking rather you would like an anvil or a piano dropped on your head from a tall building? Your f*cked either way.

 

I think he meant probably that the testing is inconsistent.

I'd like to know the types of machines used and other variables before I started putting any weight behind my belief in these tests...

It is cool though.

 

Of course, but some people buy in to this testing when there are so many variables. Two different tests, two different locations, two different sets of administrators, two different machines, two different technologies, etc.. Also, did the boxer stand close to it, further away, was he able to drive with his legs full force?... Just can't make any conclusion with it.

 

you are a poster here i respect a lot.....but what do you base the above on ??...things you have read ?

 

I think the difference lies in commitment to the punch. Marciano threw everything he had into a punch, especially earlier in his career. You can see it in his earlier bouts, even the fights with Walcott. A lot of those rights had every bit of mustard that he could put on them.

Wlad on the other hand, mostly does not commit to throwing everything behind his right hands. Mostly he'll throw a 70-80% right hand, but hold something in reserve because he's scared to death of over-committing and being countered.

I don't doubt that Wlad has top-shelf power and in a controlled environment can punch harder than Marciano. It's fairly self-explanatory if you ask me.
But in a fight, perhaps the difference isn't as great as one would imagine, due to one guy putting everything he had into a punch, and the other guy not.

 

The only problem with Wlad is if you hit him hard enough he'll be crawling on his hands and knees.

 

I'd agree with the observations of both fists, and Bummy. I'm just having a hard time buying 80% of Vladimir has less power than anything Marciano threw.

 

A hard punch only becomes a knockout punch when it knocks someone out.

A knockout punch at one level is a knockout punch at one level only.

A world class knockout punch that knocks out world class fighters is a better punch altogether.

The BEST puncher is the man who knocks out world class fighters with one blow.

Hitting hard is only one part of explaining who the best punchers are. Simply put, the best punchers knock out the best fighters. Punching hard means Jack **** because all pros hit the heavy bag hard.

 

Good post. Agree.

 

I think what we are all missing from this whole punching power discussion is timing. Sure Wlad probably does hit harder on some machine test, after all he is a shitload bigger than Rock but the test doesnt account for timing. We all know a punch is much more effective when timed right, especially when the opponents head is coming towards the punch and he doesnt see it.

 

"where's the one punch knockout power Marciano is supposed to have?"

He used it against Walcott, Matthews, Layne, etc. I don't think one off performance proves much. Why didn't Valdes ko Moore in two tries? if HE is the superior puncher.

"Lastarza also stated he thought Archie Moore hit harder than Marciano."

LaStarza fought Moore?

Are you mixing LaStarza with Lowry?