After his empathic knockout over Luis Ortiz this weekend, Deontay Wilder proclaimed himself the hardest hitter in boxing history. It’s hard to argue with the “Bronze Bomber” (42-0-1) who boasts a 97% KO ratio, easily the highest in heavyweight history. However, we’re sure the other fighters on this list and Ivan Drago don’t agree:
Unfortunately, not every heavyweight star gauged their PSI during their primes like the “Siberian Express,” so based on the eye-test as well as their opponents’ testimonies, here are the hardest hitters in boxing history. If you’re wondering why Julian Jackson, Edwin Valero, and “Hitman” Hearns are missing, we’re measuring by pure power, not P4P, so it has to be heavyweights
5. Mike Tyson
There should be no surprises here, it’s Mike Tyson we’re talking about. He’s the “Baddest Man on the Planet” and the greatest knockout artist in boxing history.
So why he’s not at the top of the list? Despite the mythology behind “Iron Mike” Tyson failed to carry his power into the later rounds like Wilder, and his skull-rattling knockouts weren’t just a product of his punching strength. Tyson flattened his opponents with a combo of volume, speed and switch-hitting prowess rather than just his pure, one-hit KO potential.
4. Sonny Liston
Yes, we just watched Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston on Showtime too, but we’ve known about Liston‘s power since we fell down his KO rabbit hole on ESPN Classics. With a wingspan big enough to pass off as an Antetokounmpo, Liston channeled G-force power through his insane reach.
There’s no better example of how dangerous the perpetually-underrated legend was than his pair of fights with Floyd Patterson in the early 60s. In both bouts, Liston flattened the Hall-of-Famer in less than one round.
3. George Foreman
Powerful doesn’t begin to describe George Foreman. In his prime, everyone’s favorite grill salesman was tossing grown men across the ring and caving in heavy bags.
None other than Evander Holyfield, who fought Tyson and Lennox Lewis, affirmed that the 42-year-old Foreman he faced in 1991 was the hardest puncher he ever faced. “He hit me one time, and my feet froze,” recalled Holyfield. “I went back to the corner and I asked them, ‘had he knocked all my teeth out?'”
2. Deontay Wilder
Likened to Thor’s hammer by announcer Mauro Ranallo, Wilder’s “right hand of God” might be closer to the Infinity Gauntlet given that it’s wiped out most of the current heavyweight division. Pun intended it’s single-handedly the most devastating single punch in human history.
What makes Wilder so remarkable is that he’s regularly KOing much larger opponents. Guys like Dominic Breazeale and Luis Ortiz are 30-40 pounds heavier. That’s like a featherweight knocking out a middleweight.
1. Earnie Shavers
You would think the most destructive puncher in boxing history would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. That’s not the case. It must be something in the Roll Tide state’s water, because like Wilder, Earnie Shavers was a raw puncher from Alabama with a nuclear right-hand that could end a fight in any round. But unlike Wilder, Shavers failed to capture a world title in his 89 fight career that spanned from the late 60s to the mid 90s.
Champion or not, Shavers is on the top of our list for a reason. But don’t take our word for it. “Earnie hit me harder than any other fighter, including Mike Tyson,” said Larry Holmes. “He hit me and I was face down on the canvas hearing saxophonist Jimmy Tillis.” If the Easton Assassin’s endorsement hasn’t convinced you, maybe the “GOAT’s” will. Muhammad Ali famous said, “Earnie hit me so hard, he shook my kinfolk back in Africa.”
