What makes a knockout artists?

I think you can generalize a power puncher by saying they are gifted with it. Of course the technic of delivering the punch correctly helps, but most KO punchers have a natural ability to punch hard.

 

Some people are born punchers but tecnique is important. Manny Stewart taught Hearns how to keep the power on the end of his punches, Hearns did not really have many KO's in the amatuers. Fighters like Bummy Davis, Rocky Graziano,Marciano,Julian Jackson had tecnique and leverage but were natural punchers

 

good points. I also think technique is very important as bummydavis mentions

 

It's interesting that the specific term, "combination punching," has not previously entered this thread. Whenever a fighter who is clearly losing a match is getting ready for the final round, and the corner informs that a knockout is needed to win, the advice to punch in combinations is usually heard. "When you punch in combinations, the one punch happens by itself," is one of the most common sayings in boxing. This is what made Joe Louis a greater knockout artist than the much harder punching Earnie Shavers. Arguello also followed the Louis template.

 

Yeah but I would tend to think most knockout punchers relied more on a one two, to get the leverage and momentum in the second punch. Rarely did you see big power punchers punching in combinations, although Tyson was certainly very effective at it in the first part of his career, and less effective against the better fighters when he became a one two puncher after prison.
Going back to power, Ive sparred with a lot of people and worked with a lot of amatuers, and Ive sparred teenagers that were very green who could punch harder than some of the pros. Its definitely a God given talent that becomes more effective when the proper technique is applied.

 

How 'bout patience, and the ability to take a shot, too?

You can't throw a KO punch, if you can't take a KO punch.

 

Yes and accuracy is another good point. Evander Holyfield was one of the most accurate punchers, and thats why he was able to dent some iron chins.

 

Also alot of the power comes from the legs. proper leverage is very important in delivering power punches. Just as in Baseball, pitchers will tell you. that the extra speed & power on the pitches, comes from the legs. The same can be said of Boxing. Punches delivered without proper footing are called "Arm punches" Example Oscar De La Hoya: early in his career he would plant his feet & had devistating power! Later, after the Hopkins fight, he would deliver combinations. But he would almost be on the balls of his feet, as if he wanted to pull out early & the punches had little power to them.

 

how about finishing ability

you can see guys with not alot of power but as soon as thy see an opponent tiring or hurt jump all over them and can overwhelm them or KO them

 

As long as we are on this topic, somebody PLEASE explain the man in my avatar! I honestly have never really understood how "Little red" could hit so freaking hard.

 

Tall had long leverage in his shots. good timing also

did he have big hands? tahts normally a sign of a big puncher

 

Leverage explains some of it, and he put his legs into his shots pretty well, but he still remains something of an anamoly. Do you realize Danny only won 3 decisions in his entire career?

 

Lopez had iron fists. Rarely do I see a fighter land what appears to be a nothing punch, only for the guy on the receiving end to fall down half a second later and be laid flat out for about ten minutes!!!


Legs are important. Naseem Hamed was not a big puncher as an amateur, but as he got bigger, his legs became more thick set and it's clear to see they complimented his heavy hands.

Timing is obviously another-Julian jackson knew just the right moment to strike.

There are of course guys that are just destructive punchers. George Foreman comes to mind. He could just swing his arms and if he caught you, it was devastating. He was very heavy handed and powered through with his punches.

Someone like Arguello, is all about timing, accuracy and technique.

In short, not one of Mendoza's points are valid. They all are, but for different fighters.

Good thread :good

 

yeh it was crazy he only won 3 decisions

maybe he was just such a warrior and had a kill or be killed mentality

he even KOd a guy twice in 1 fight