Who hit harder, Frazier or Tyson?

That's a very good question. I think they're roughly equal when it comes to raw power, but Tyson had much better speed and combos to along with it. I also think Tyson had much more tools as well.

 

For single shot I’d say Tyson but based on average punch power per volume, perhaps not so much to choose between them.

That’s all I’ve got Surf…, a quick drop in comment, I know you like the “action” but please don’t savage me.

 

In terms of raw 1 punch power it's for sure Tyson. I don't see how that can be argued. Way more early round KO's, and what's interesting is Tyson continued to knock guys over like bowling pins early even as he stepped up in competition. That's rare, he had real dynamite in his fists. A unique combination of solid power, fast twitch explosive delivery, great timing, and blazing hand speed. He also caught a lot of guys with shots they don't see coming with his hard to predict head movement.

Frazier was no slouch, and did score a few brutal knockdowns himself with his legendary hook, but more often than not Frazier had to grind guys down with a barrage or eventually wore them out. When he puts all he has into it, Frazier's hook is as good as some of Tyson's best punches, but overall Tyson is 1-2 notches higher. Frazier was more of a cracking whip while Tyson's punches sound like shotguns going off. I'd say Frazier's average punches are a 6-6.5, 7-7.5 when he goes all out. Tyson's average shots are around 7.5, 8-8.5 when he detonates flush give or take. That nasty uppercut might be a 9.

I think if you compare who can damage their opponents more over 12-15 rounds, it's a little less obvious. What Frazier lacks in raw talent and athleticism, he makes up for it with consistency and endurance. He could hammer away for 30 rounds if he really wanted to. Tyson's power diminished after about 6-7 rounds and he only has one late round stoppage if I recall correctly against Ribalta.

So if the two of them were to fight a highly durable opponent and go the distance, let's say Cobb or McCall, it's possible the opponent may end up saying Frazier hurt him more because Frazier will drag you into deep waters and drown you making you wish he'd just knock you out and put you out of your misery. Frazier would also have a higher chance of getting an eventual late round KO than Tyson because he got a little stronger as the fight progressed and he warmed up getting set into his rhythm.

 

Shot for shot I think Mike hit maybe. a bit harder. Too hard to tell though as it's Mike's superior speed against Joe's superior delivery.

 

Tyson hit much harder than Frazier, no contest imo.

Now as far as Tyson winning a fight with Joe, I have my doubts about that.

 

Tyson is certainly the more explosive puncher and was better landing the combos.
Joe seemed to repeatedly throw the left hook more as a weapon of attrition to wear his opponents down.
The thing is late in fights as in the Mathis knockout and the superb left hook that downed Ali in the 15th round at that stage of fights it was a weapon of real power.
Really it’s probably as simple as Tyson early on but Joe late on.
Tyson and Frazier head to head though is a fascinating fight.

 

Tyson hit harder, but Frazier was more relentless, threw more, more consistently, and had the ability to break guys down over time. Tyson was much more explosive, with high energy from the start, with greater overall tonnage to his blows. But make no mistake about it, both guys hit really hard.

 

We're comparing one of the best early round HWs ever against one of the best late round HWs ever. Round 1? Tyson, by a good bit. Round 10? Frazier, by a good bit. Other than extreme circumstances, Frazier only got stronger as the fight progressed. Tyson only ever got weaker as the fight progressed.

That hook that bounced Ali off the canvas in the 15th looked as strong as anything Tyson ever threw.

Final comment -- I see people talking about Tyson's superior hand speed. Eh, go watch Frazier's left hook specifically. Lightning fast. Watching the FOTC, Ali had nothing even close to the speed of Frazier's hook. Yes, Tyson had a fast everything, but Frazier's best weapon was just as fast. That's one of the reasons he was able to whack guys with it over and over. Like every man who ever fought him professionally didn't go into the ring knowing to watch out for the hook, didn't go into the ring having done everything possible to practice slipping left hooks? They all walked in knowing exactly what Frazier would do, with some sort of plan to stop it, and then he still did it anyway. Over and over. Sometimes multiple times right in a row.

 

If Frazier can last until he starts smokin', without having taken too much damage, he's eventually going to beat Tyson to a pulp. Question is, can he last until then? Being a slow starter against Tyson is, uh, dangerous.

 

Frazier carries his power far better than Tyson as fights progress. Frazier comes on in the middle rounds, Tyson in the beginning. I would wager Frazier does more sustained and consistent damage. I think I'd bet on Frazier, getting hit by Frazier in the 10th round vs Tyson in the 10th would be two very different punches. But the inverse is true too, getting hit in the first round by Frazier is nothing like getting hit first round by Tyson.

I think they both possess very different levels or power during different times during a fight. Tyson's early power I think is much stronger than Fraziers mid-late power though.

 

Tyson with one punch, combo punching, and either hand. Frazier may have had better accuracy especially in the heat of combat.

 

My money's on Mike in his 20s

I saw the effect they had on various opponents from Marvis to Bruno to Tubbs to Holmes.

I used to watch slow motion replays of blood flying off of Bruno's face, similar to what was depicted scenes from Raging Bull

I think Frazier's power is a little overrated just because a mowed down a few small heavyweights like Ellis and Bob Foster

He was much less successful against the bigger heavies like Ali, Foreman, Bugner

 

Tyson the more explosive hitter, which is not to take away from the power of Joe.
Anyone who knocked Ali on his ass, is no feather fist.