Which Heavyweights KO Record Is Most Misleading When Judging Their Actual Power?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:03 AM.


  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    In other words , does a Heavyweights high KO percentage mean someone was a harder puncher,or can style, accumulation and the opposition make the numbers deceptive?
    I'm pretty sure there's a few cases of this ;)
     
    Fergy, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:03 AM
    Fergy, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:03 AM
    #1
    Andre2000 likes this.
  2. lone star

    lone star Active Member Full Member

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    Apart from Jimmy Ellis & Ken Norton, most of Earnie Shaver's top opponents got up and came back to stop him. The others on his list weren't exactly top class. Most of his reputation comes from glowing references from Ali, Holmes, Lyle, Cobb & Tillis. Funny quotes and all. I know people will say who better than those that got hit by him know better ? But notice one thing. These all beat him. Sure he hit hard. But the numbers on his record are deceptive.
     
    lone star, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:21 AM
    lone star, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:21 AM
    #2
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  3. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Norton and Young both lost to him and said the same thing about his power.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:29 AM
    Bokaj, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:29 AM
    #3
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  4. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

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    Tucker had great KO %, but wasn't even close in terms of punching power to Tim Witherspon or, say, Gerrie Coetzee.
     
    Usyk is the best, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:53 AM
    Usyk is the best, Aug 30, 2026 at 2:53 AM
    #4
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  5. Andre2000

    Andre2000 Active Member Full Member

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    Exhibit A

    LaMar Clark

    42 consecutive KOs which may still hold the record, not sure. 43 KOs in total.

    A record littered with debutants and none too impressive nor deep records otherwise.


    https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/9367
     
    Andre2000, Aug 30, 2026 at 3:13 AM
    Andre2000, Aug 30, 2026 at 3:13 AM
    #5
  6. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Big upvote for Ned Ryerson here.
     
    Boxed Ears, Aug 30, 2026 at 3:18 AM
    Boxed Ears, Aug 30, 2026 at 3:18 AM
    #6
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  7. impacted

    impacted Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Vitali Klitschko's record gives the impression that he was a Ukrainian hybrid of Tyson and Foreman. He was an absolute man of iron, but an all-time great puncher he was not.
     
    impacted, Aug 30, 2026 at 3:46 AM
    impacted, Aug 30, 2026 at 3:46 AM
    #7
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  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Evander Holyfield 44wins 29 Kos.
    Doesn't sound frightening when compared to such as Mike Tyson or Wilder , but Holyfield could absolutely punch.
     
    Fergy, Aug 30, 2026 at 4:08 AM
    Fergy, Aug 30, 2026 at 4:08 AM
    #8
    Usyk is the best and Overhand94 like this.
  9. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Razor Ruddock got a couple knockouts against shopworn versions of Dokes and Bonecrusher. He regressed as a boxer just looking for that one big punch. He did it at the expense of his jab which was pretty good at one time.
    Against top flight competition the Smash wasn't enough. Plus he telegraphed it. Razor could knockout a Greg Page with it not a Tyson or even Tommy Morrison.
     
    ETM, Aug 30, 2026 at 4:35 AM
    ETM, Aug 30, 2026 at 4:35 AM
    #9
  10. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    VitKlit is the poster boy for this. Attrition puncher. with enormous KO percentage.

    Our new champ Hrgovic the same.
     
    catchwtboxing, Aug 30, 2026 at 9:22 AM
    catchwtboxing, Aug 30, 2026 at 9:22 AM
    #10
    Overhand94 likes this.
  11. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He has a lot of fanatics on here.

    Lewis was open for Klitscko's right hand all-night-long and Vitali still couldn't stop him.
     
    slash, Aug 30, 2026 at 9:24 AM
    slash, Aug 30, 2026 at 9:24 AM
    #11