BoxRec

Robinson is more durable than Hearns, but should Robinson be considered the harder puncher of the two?

No, but they're two of the biggest punchers ever.

No, Robinson is clearly the greater fighter, but Hearns definitely had the greater punching power. I don't think Robinson was really ever seen as a monster puncher, even at welterweight - what gave him his good KO % was more down to blinding handspeed, timing and landing punches in bunches. That said, to have stopped the durable Gene Fullmer at middleweight with one punch, SRR undoubtedly had very good power too.

jezzamundo wrote:No, Robinson is clearly the greater fighter, but Hearns definitely had the greater punching power. I don't think Robinson was really ever seen as a monster puncher, even at welterweight - what gave him his good KO % was more down to blinding handspeed, timing and landing punches in bunches. That said, to have stopped the durable Gene Fullmer at middleweight with one punch, SRR undoubtedly had very good power too.

Robinson was a devastating puncher and was recognised as such by many great opponents. His leverage was outstanding and he really winged the hooks and uppercuts in. I think he'd have been a heavier handed fighter than Hearns.

Carlos Danger wrote:Robinson is more durable than Hearns, but should Robinson be considered the harder puncher of the two?

i would think that overall robinson has
more power in all his punches with the
exception of the right hand. tommy's
right was from outerspace.

I'd rate Robinson the bigger puncher.

Seamus wrote:I'd rate Robinson the bigger puncher.

I doubt Tommy would be knocking Gene Fullmer out cold with the left hook, certainly....

or Basora in 1 or Olson in 2 and 4, outslugging at times a powerfully built LaMotta while weighing in as a WW.

man wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:Robinson is more durable than Hearns, but should Robinson be considered the harder puncher of the two?

i would think that overall robinson has
more power in all his punches with the
exception of the right hand. tommy's
right was from outerspace.

Tommy had a mean left hook to the body too

Robinson had perfect punching technique. The fullmer ko was crazy, then again, holyfield essentially knocked out bowe with one punch. Technique and balance go a long way. Hearns destroyed guys up to cruiser. Brutal power, though it's certainly debatable.

I'd agree with the idea that Ray Robinson had the better punching power in all of his punches except for the Right hand. Tommy Hearns possibly has the most potent Right hand in Boxing history.

Any time I think of dangerous punching power with the Right hand. I think of Tommy Hearns.

Julian "The Hawk" Jackson should be in the mix of this conversation also. I believe that he was the most raw natural puncher ever. He was so devastating as a puncher to say the least.

The Revival wrote:

man wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:Robinson is more durable than Hearns, but should Robinson be considered the harder puncher of the two?

i would think that overall robinson has
more power in all his punches with the
exception of the right hand. tommy's
right was from outerspace.

Tommy had a mean left hook to the body too

totally true. but with the left to the body,
i always more admire the fact somebody
can deliver that shot repeatedly without
being caught than the power. that punch
leaves you so wide open. i am no expert,
but i feel you must be able to read your
opponent very well in order to know when
you get away with it or the other guy has
too much respect.

He was giving Barkley an insane body beat down. Til he got caught.

Benny Leonard needs to be in the mix for greatest power punches along with Jimmy Wilde. Non greater than Langford and Joe Louis though. Hearns had stunning right but the others more potent overall.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:He was giving Barkley an insane body beat down. Til he got caught.

Yep, if Barkley hadn't caught him when he did I doubt he could've taken another round or two of that.

elmersalsa wrote:Julian "The Hawk" Jackson should be in the mix of this conversation also. I believe that he was the most raw natural puncher ever. He was so devastating as a puncher to say the least.

another one

Tommy definitely punched harder than Jackson. That's apples to apples.

To me, The Hitman vs The Hawk's power is a toss up. Two of the most devastating punchers that I have seen below the heavyweights

Counter-puncher wrote:

Seamus wrote:I'd rate Robinson the bigger puncher.

I doubt Tommy would be knocking Gene Fullmer out cold with the left hook, certainly....

He Ko'd Cuevas and Duran like they never been KO's in their careers.

TBEwasLangford wrote:Benny Leonard needs to be in the mix for greatest power punches along with Jimmy Wilde. Non greater than Langford and Joe Louis though. Hearns had stunning right but the others more potent overall.

Oh, there's other hard punches in boxing than just Hearns and Robinson? Golly I'm learning something new every single day.

Carlos Danger wrote:

Counter-puncher wrote:

Seamus wrote:I'd rate Robinson the bigger puncher.

I doubt Tommy would be knocking Gene Fullmer out cold with the left hook, certainly....

He Ko'd Cuevas and Duran like they never been KO's in their careers.

not with the left hook.......

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:The fullmer ko was crazy, .

i love that clip, the camera angle seems perfect to show the set-up and the finish, the right hand to the body and angle out, repeat x 2, the quick head-feint downstairs then the left hook off it, it's just perfection, there seems to be almost no *effort* behind the left hook, fucken poetry.

Carlos Danger wrote:Robinson is more durable than Hearns, but should Robinson be considered the harder puncher of the two?

Hearns had the better straight right -- and Tommy had the better jab by a million miles... Robinson had the better left hook.. I would make Robinson the favorite based mostly on his chin and physicality... As soon as they started to exchange bombs it might be Hagler-Hearns all over again.. The plan going into that fight was to knock Hagler out early - which was one of the dumber game plans in Fistic History.. If Hearns could maintain a disciplined boxing approach and responsible defense for 12 or 15 rounds, he would win the D -- no doubt in my mind..

Versus Robinson, I just don't think he would do that... Leonard would maintain a disciplined approach v SRR -- from the word go -- like Floyd Mayweather

Mayweather would beat the 3 at Welterweight... at 154 or 160 they would be way too strong for him.

Kalan wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:Robinson is more durable than Hearns, but should Robinson be considered the harder puncher of the two?

Hearns had the better straight right -- and Tommy had the better jab by a million miles... Robinson had the better left hook.. I would make Robinson the favorite based mostly on his chin and physicality... As soon as they started to exchange bombs it might be Hagler-Hearns all over again.. The plan going into that fight was to knock Hagler out early - which was one of the dumber game plans in Fistic History.. If Hearns could maintain a disciplined boxing approach and responsible defense for 12 or 15 rounds, he would win the D -- no doubt in my mind..

Versus Robinson, I just don't think he would do that... Leonard would maintain a disciplined approach v SRR -- from the word go -- like Floyd Mayweather

Mayweather would beat the 3 at Welterweight... at 154 or 160 they would be way too strong for him.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr was a great fighter. I ranked him ahead of the greats Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in the all time pound per pound rankings, but, in a boxing match, I can't see him beating none of those 3 in their primes at welterweight, either.

I ranked PBF above Leonard and Hearns because of his unbelievable achievements. Not because of better talent.