Who Was The Hardest Puncher Marciano Met?

How would a fighter prove himself to be in that class?

 

I think when it comes to heavyweights and punching power, there's not much meaningful work to be done.
We can see them knocking lumps off each other, knocking each other cold, landing effective punches, and when you're there in person you can almost feel them. It's hard to doubt what you see, especially when you are familiar with the fighters in question.

I'm starting to see that it's not such an academic matter as career achievement that can be assessed more completely in a discussion.
When I see Walcott sparking Charles, and Marciano sparking Walcott, that's enough for me. :good

 

Slightly contrary to my previous post, yes, it still would be interesting.
I'd like to see what criteria others are using, if any. :good

 

The hard numbers regarding Moore's HW knockouts:

77 of his opponents were HWs (180*-200 lbs)

53 of his victims (180-200+ lbs)

20 of his victims (200+ lbs)

33 of his victims (180-200 lbs)

HIs total record against 180-200+ lb opponents is:

72(55 KOs)-5 (71 total KO%) Pretty damn great.

* I did not include 175-180, as many were technically LHW opponents who had just not cut the weight for a non-title bout.

So yes, he has knocked out more Heavyweights than Ali, and at a higher %. Also more than Lyle and at a higher rate.

Also more rated victims in Baker, Lavorante, and Bivins x2.

 

No it has not.

You can write a novel trying to pick these wins apart, the point was how they stood up to Ron Lyle's best KO scalps.

Shavers-Just lost to Stallings and was blown out in one round by Quarry. Known for being chinny and limited, was stopped in 7 of his 14 losses.

Middleton and Mathis have poor records, lost by knockout a few other times, and never rose above the fringe level.

Baker was only stopped 3 times in 16 losses. Moore was the last man to stop him.

Bivins was only stopped 5 times in 25 losses. 3 KO losses were to Moore. In his final 15 years as a very active fighter against all comers, Moore and Charles were the only men to stop him. And Charles unlike Moore could not repeat the stoppage win.

Lavorante was a tragic turn of events for a rising contender.

I also listed more than the 3. You just ignored them.

 

I don't think I suggested the exact opposite.

To clarify : when it's broken down to make several tiers out of a handful of very good HW punchers, to differentiate and rank them like that, I think it becomes impossible.

That's not to say I can't call them all "murderous punchers".

The title of the thread is meaningful.
I'd say Walcott, to give credit where it's due.

Okay, you've persuaded me.

My first question then would be, to anyone who wants to answer: what are more impressive displays of power than Walcott KO7 Charles ?

 

I'm sure it's not the end of the argument.
But, not knowing what other people's criteria are, I can't comment on what comes next.

 

Broadly speaking I accept Foreman and Shavers hit about as hard as can be. Their regular punches hurt a lot more. But other fighters were just as effective with world class knockout power and finishing. Joe Louis at his best, not when he fought Marciano, was more effective than either Foreman or SHavers. You could argue SHavers and Foreman were heavier handed. It comes down to interpretation of effectiveness. Moore, Walcott and Charles were accomplished and effective at performing world class knockouts.