today's punching power

[evrenb]

Hi guys. Do you think that the fighters of today are punching harder than ever? I mean the guys are built better than ever, look stronger than ever.

[HomicideHenry]

Hi guys. Do you think that the fighters of today are punching harder than ever? I mean the guys are built better than ever, look stronger than ever.

I'd argue that *maybe* some guys today are stronger physically than men in previous eras... but knockout power has very little to do with physical strength, as it does speed/timing/accuracy.

[Syntax Error]

I wouldn't say so.

Boxing hasn't changed that much & power is power.

For example, the two hardest hitting HWs ever were in their pomps in the 1970s & I haven't seen anyone since then that compares with either Foreman or Shavers for pure heavy handedness at the highest level.

Tyson came close, but even he arguably had about 95% of the power they had & relied more on speed than they did.

[Othro]

Today the only guy with power that stands out is Klitschko and maybe Wilder but we'll find that out soon.

[evrenb]

Considering all weights here...

[misterpunch]

no change

[Othro]

Considering all weights here...

Maybe Golovkin but he's not like Gerald McClellan or Nigel Benn . His power is delivered well because of his skill. Look at Julian Jackson and Tommy Hearns. Who's power comes close to theirs today

[evrenb]

It's strange how fitness, nutrition, training techniques and general strength have improved, runners are running faster, weightlifters getting stronger yet considering all of this boxers are not punching harder?
The reason I brought this up is watching a lot of the modern boxing against the vintage stuff I get the impression that the impact of the punches seems harder nowadays judging by sound and reaction of the fighter on the receiving end.

[Controversial]

It's strange how fitness, nutrition, training techniques and general strength have improved, runners are running faster, weightlifters getting stronger yet considering all of this boxers are not punching harder?
The reason I brought this up is watching a lot of the modern boxing against the vintage stuff I get the impression that the impact of the punches seems harder nowadays judging by sound and reaction of the fighter on the receiving end.

The size and weight of HWs today is a factor but more because of the sheer size and strength advantages over a 13st HW from the olden times. But carrying 2-3 stone extra also has its disadvantages, especially if fat. Punching power isn't linked to fitness, muscle size or nutrition. There's no better training than actually fighting and the older fighters tended to fight more regularly than todays fighters which was an advantage. David Haye was an example of a modern HW who uses all the modern training techniques, nutrition etc... yet his stamina wasn't that great. Maybe if he fought more regular this would've improved.

[Tuan_Jim]

Body building has increased dramatically, technique has nosedived.

Watching fights now and from the 60s, 70s and 80s is like night and day.

[Tomasino]

The hardest puncher I've ever seen myself is 13st 10lb. So I'm not sold on the size = more power argument.

[Syntax Error]

The hardest puncher I've ever seen myself is 13st 10lb. So I'm not sold on the size = more power argument.

You have a point there.

The hardest puncher I've seen live was Herbie Hide & this was when he was barely over the cruiserweight limit.

I also watched the likes of Lennox Lewis in an relatively small arena at the start of his career, but he didnt seem to have the power that Hide did, although he was much bigger & a noted puncher himself

[Tuan_Jim]

The hardest one punch heavyweight hitter next to Wladimir is David Haye, a 190lb fighter.

You either have the right marriage of speed, timing, snap, coordination or you don't. All the added weight in the world won't make a non-puncher a puncher.

[Controversial]

The hardest one punch heavyweight hitter next to Wladimir is David Haye, a 190lb fighter.

You either have the right marriage of speed, timing, snap, coordination or you don't. All the added weight in the world won't make a non-puncher a puncher.

Speed is a big factor. Joe Louis was a noted puncher yet in his comeback his KO ratio dropped, mainly because he couldn't put the punches together the same or punch as quick. Same for Herbie Hide.

[misterpunch]

It's strange how fitness, nutrition, training techniques and general strength have improved, runners are running faster, weightlifters getting stronger yet considering all of this boxers are not punching harder?
The reason I brought this up is watching a lot of the modern boxing against the vintage stuff I get the impression that the impact of the punches seems harder nowadays judging by sound and reaction of the fighter on the receiving end.

better microphones

[Tuan_Jim]

Exactly. All we have today is infinitely superior audio & visual - but not technique or talent. Also we have this curious new culture of screaming cheerleader announcers marketing to you at every second.

I imagine with today's technology that Bob Fitzsimmons punches would sound like Hiroshima.

[orbtastic]

Considering all weights here...

Maybe Golovkin but he's not like Gerald McClellan or Nigel Benn . His power is delivered well because of his skill. Look at Julian Jackson and Tommy Hearns. Who's power comes close to theirs today

Matthysse has crazy power. Gonzalez is also a big hitter at the lower weights. Not that I'm comparing either to those two, but they are clearly two of the biggest hitters in boxing.

[palooka]

Hitting is hitting and some of the very best hitters were those in the 40's and 50's though I honestly do not think I'll see anyone with the knack of the single punch KO like Julian Jackson; he was a natural puncher who learnt the method to get into range.

[Broomhall]

I think in the relatively short space of time between now and then it would be hard to make a case for boxers hitting harder in the modern age.

Also I think one of the problems in boxing is because the boxer employs the trainer, training methods are often not too far different than they where 50 years ago. Many boxing trainers are still very old school.

I dont know if any scientific research has been done on the relationship between physical strength and punching power? I imagine there is a tenuous link, but as others have said probably more down to factors such as genetics (fast trigger muscles) speed and timing.

I do recall Emanuel Steward talking about why Kronk fighters hit so hard and if I recall rightly he talked about developing technique allied with confidence.

[JC]

It's strange how fitness, nutrition, training techniques and general strength have improved, runners are running faster, weightlifters getting stronger yet considering all of this boxers are not punching harder?
The reason I brought this up is watching a lot of the modern boxing against the vintage stuff I get the impression that the impact of the punches seems harder nowadays judging by sound and reaction of the fighter on the receiving end.

better microphones

Always though that, e.g. George Forman's KO's in his comeback seem more impressive on film than his 70s ones because you can hear the shots landing and have a close up camera angle. But it's the same fighter.

[evrenb]

yeah I think the sound on the recordings certainly makes a big difference in how it seems guys are punching harder...

[Tomasino]

I think it's crazy to judge punching power on how it sounds unless you are at ringside maybe.

I go by who was knocked out and how.

e.g. Robinson KO Fullmer trumps anything Julian Jackson or Gerald Mclellan ever did. Sam Langford KO Harry Wills trumps Wlad v Pulev etc

[Roco]

Body building has increased dramatically, technique has nosedived.

Watching fights now and from the 60s, 70s and 80s is like night and day.

I agree, but why are the bodybuilders able to dominate. It's not all about strength, is it?

[Ezzard]

Tuan is right about the bodybuilding. And there seems to be about the same number of big punchers out there.

Really don't believe there is any correlation between strength and punch power.

Some guys have speed and accuracy. Others have bludgeoning power. Some seem to be able to get their shots through when the other guy is not ready for them.

One thing I do believe is that hand speed has not only improved but continues to be retained much later in the careers of the top fighters. Not because of any improvements other than PEDs.

[dempseyfire]

Hi guys. Do you think that the fighters of today are punching harder than ever? I mean the guys are built better than ever, look stronger than ever.

Actually the fighters in the 50s and 60s had overall better physiques and musculature. Look at the back muscles of a Gene Fullmer or Rocky Castellani and then look at the middleweights today. And don't get me started on the heavyweights . . .