Punching Power

Strength and Punching Power

Many people believe there is a correlation between physical size, physical strength, and punching power. In professional boxing, some of the most powerful punchers were not physically overpowering. Examples are Thomas Hearns and Roger Mayweather who, although they were powerful punchers, could be physically controlled by their opponents.

However, there are exceptions, such as George Foreman and Jim Jeffries, who were not only powerful punchers; they were bulls in the ring that physically controlled their opponents. Foreman, one of the strongest heavyweights ever, once lifted Joe Frazier of the floor with a punch. 

Other exceptions are fighters that are physically strong, but are not knockout punchers, such as Mohamed Ali, Larry Holmes, and Evander Holyfield. When Ali, who was not thought of as being physically strong since he was not a powerful puncher, fought Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman, he was able to beat them by constantly holding, tying them up, and then out punching them. Holmes was physically stronger in his fights with Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton, and Gerry Cooney, but was not as strong a puncher as they were. Both Ali and Holmes had more stamina than opponents who were powerful punchers and physically stronger, which helped them outlast the opponents. Holyfield did not appear as strong as some of his opponents, such as Tyson, but he was able to control them and move them around the ring.