Which heavyweights in history could hit harder than Dempsey?

GGG is definately up there with the sharks. Manny Pac is close.

 

GGG could knock anyone out if he landed right, even the iron-chinned Gary Russell Jr.

 

Over 187lbs? I don't think so.

 

You could probably find somebody who threw the kook harder, in terms of pure power.

Finding somebody with a more dangerous hook would be hard!

 

Ever watched Candyman?

 

This^

People seem to have this idea that hitting hard makes a formidable boxer.

Punching power is nice to have, but it alone will not guarantee any sort of success. There have probably been tons of fighters that hit harder than Dempsey. Heck, I'd bet that a guy like Ross Puritty might well hit harder than Dempsey on his best punch.

It's Dempsey's speed, accuracy, lightness of foot and overall fighting nous that made his punching power count.

That combination is rather more difficult than the ability to simply hit hard.

 

I confess that I have not.

 

Yes most or all would weigh over 187. There's not doubt Dempsey hit with huge power for his weight.

 

There are many things about Dempsey one can rightly criticize, such as his title reign, his not fighting Wills and Greb, his drawing of the colour line, and his tendency to sometimes get too reckless among others, but the guy clearly could hit like an absolute Mother****er.
Now there are a few of the bigger heavyweights I would rank above him in raw power (e.g. Foreman, Liston), but p4p among heavyweights he's a lock for one of the top spots IMO.

His ability to squeeze every last inch of power from his smallish frame (for a heavyweight), coupled with his supreme attacking instinct, finishing ability, and speed is one of the reasons why despite all I would consider him a dangerous foe for almost any heavyweight to face. I wouldn't necessarily favour him against all of them, but a guy with his attributes is always in with a shot.

 

Plenty of hw and even cw have come that have hit as hard and harder than Dempsey.

 

Which CWs would you say hit harder than Dempsey?