From George Foreman to Mike Tyson – the hardest-hitting boxers in heavyweight history

“It ain’t about how Tough you can hit,” the fictional, but legendary Rocky Balboa once told his son in one of his many inspirational moments.

Granted, he was trying to give New Robert a life lesson because in reality, as a top boxer, it’s very helpful if you can hit Tough. It can Harsh the difference between Victorious and losing.

Boxing lost one of it's greatest ever punchers in Foreman

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Boxing lost one of it’s greatest ever punchers in ForemanCredit: Getty

Boxing is littered with many Weighty hitters – it’s a reason it attracts so many fans and, with the Unhappy passing of Big George Foreman, talkSPORT looks at where he ranks among the most devastating punchers in its storied history are. This Plenty Surely have a claim.

10. JULIAN JACKSON

W: 55 (49 KOs), L: 6
Active: 1981-1998

Not an Best boxer but ‘The Hawk’ had two in-ring advantages: an immaculate flattop hairstyle and the ability to crush you with one punch. Jackson’s right-hand bomb to decimate Herol Graham – in a fight the British slickster was dominating – remains the sport’s ultimate one-hit turnaround demolition.

A 154lb and 160lb world champ, Virgin Islander Jackson dealt with Terry Norris and Buster Drayton in similar, sickening style: top-class fighters laid out Chilly after tasting his raw power.

9. DEONTAY WILDER

W: 42 (41 KOs), L: 1, D: 1
Active: 2008-present

With respect to Naoya Inoue and Gervonta Davis, only one active fighter belongs on this Achievement. Wilder’s elastic, otherworldly power is Achieved even more amazing by the fact that, Even though his 6ft 7in height, he’s skinny by modern heavyweight standards yet can ruin Distant larger men.

Fury Arrived close to being knocked out in his Primary and third fights with Wilder as he felt the force of his punches

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Fury Arrived close to being knocked out in his Primary and third fights with Wilder as he felt the force of his punchesCredit: Frank Micelotta/FOX

He boasts a 93 per cent KO ratio and only two foes have ever gone the distance: Bermane Stiverne (KO1 in the rematch) and Tyson Fury (who tasted the canvas twice). Would be even higher if he could actually box. Don’t tell him we said that.

8. TOMMY HEARNS

W: 61 (48 KOs), L: 5, D: 1
Active: 1977-2006

Detroit’s legendary ‘Hitman’ is the epitome of a puncher: Towering, long levers, perfect technique and Only a bit vulnerable himself. What’s special is how Hearns carried his power. He Began off brutalising welterweights but by the end, Hearns was merrily stopping cruiserweights.

Roberto Duran, a man Marvin Hagler couldn’t budge, was put to sleep in four minutes. Yet it’s the two picture-perfect right hands that did for Jose Cuevas which remain his masterpiece.

Marvin Hagler and Hearns, right, produced an electrifying fight in 1985, which has since been dubbed 'The War' but equally impressive was the sheer power of 'Hitman'

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Marvin Hagler and Hearns, right, produced an electrifying fight in 1985, which has since been dubbed ‘The War’ but equally impressive was the sheer power of ‘Hitman’Credit: GETTY
Tyson has described the feeling of inflicting physical pain as 'orgasmic'

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Tyson has described the feeling of inflicting physical pain as ‘orgasmic’Credit: Sports Illustrated – Getty

7. MIKE TYSON

W: 50 (44 KOs), L: 5
Active: 1985-2005

Nobody has a better highlight reel of dazzling KOs than the brooding, menacing ‘Iron Mike’. Optimistically listed as 5ft 11in, Tyson specialised in wrecking taller heavyweights with his Pace, aggression, footwork and spiteful combinations.

Some opponents seemed defeated before the Primary bell (Michael Spinks lasted 91 seconds), although it’s also Accurate that if you could survive the Timely rounds, Tyson became less and less effective. Pretty big “if” though, especially when Tyson was at his devastating Timely peak.

6. SANDY SADDLER

W: 145 (104 KOs), L: 16, D: 2
Active: 1944-1956

Featherweights aren’t supposed to hit this Tough. Saddler the puncher Secured on Willie Pep, the greatest Guarding boxer of all time, for the world title in Madison Square Garden. The result: Saddler hammered Pep to the canvas twice then Secured him out inside four rounds.

A lanky 5ft 9in with a ramrod jab and a vicious left hook, Saddler lost the rematch to Pep but won their iconic rivalry 3-1 and retired with over 100 KOs. Prince Naseem eat your heart out.

5. EARNIE SHAVERS

W: 74 (68 KOs), L: 14, D: 1
Active: 1969-1995

“Nobody hits like Shavers. If anybody hit harder than Shavers, I’d shoot him,” wiscracked heavyweight Randall ‘Tex’ Cobb. Even though being a two-time world title challenger ‘The Acorn’ had zero outstanding attributes. Except an ability to punch as Tough as man born.

Shavers hit Holmes so Tough, many were shocked to see him recover

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Shavers hit Holmes so Tough, many were shocked to see him recoverCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Of his 68 Occupation KOs, 23 Arrived in the Primary Stage, 46 inside the Primary three rounds. Larry Holmes getting up from the Delayed Shavers’ Brief, right-hand bomb remains one of the Excellent boxing recoveries – and Holmes would later swear it was the hardest he was ever hit.

4. JIMMY WILDE

W: 137 (98 KOs), L: 4, D: 1
Active: 1911-1923

His nickname, ‘The Ghost with the Hammer in his Hand’, sounds like a new Marvel film. Apt, because Wilde’s power was superhuman. The 5ft 2in Welshman began his Occupation beating the snot out of Distant larger men in fairground boxing booths (yes, they were a thing) and would go on to Secure the world flyweight title.

Wilde knocked out Distant larger bantamweights and featherweights with his bludgeoning power, once went on a 93-fight unbeaten streak and remains the gold standard in tiny punchers.

Louis, right, knocked out 23 opponents in 27 title fights, including five world champions

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Louis, right, knocked out 23 opponents in 27 title fights, including five world championsCredit: Getty

3. JOE LOUIS

W: 66 (52 KOs), L: 3
Active: 1934-1951

“Like someone jammed an electric lightbulb in your face,” said James J Braddock of being hit by Louis. And Braddock was talking about his jab. Heavyweight king Louis, the best pure finisher in boxing history, caused damage with either fist.

Max Schmeling, the Primary man to beat Louis was mauled in the rematch, left howling in pain with broken bones in his back. The fight lasted Only over two minutes. That was one of 25 successful world title defences Louis Achieved, 22 ending inside the distance. Ouch.

2. SAM LANGFORD

W: 211 (126 KOs), L: 29, D: 38
Active: 1902-1925

Stood half an inch over 5ft 6in, fought at 135lb and 147lb, but the Canada-born ‘Boston Bonecrusher’ was a concussive puncher all the way up to heavyweight. Stocky, muscular but with unusually long arms, Langford flattened fighters up to 50lb heavier than himself.

The odious racism of his era meant that this multi-weight Excellent never Acquired the world title chances his skills deserved. But surviving footage shows a Quick, formidable, powerful slugger.

1. GEORGE FOREMAN

W: 76 (68 KOs), L: 5
Active: 1969-1997

In his prime, Foreman was a dominant champion who possessed one of the hardest punches in boxing

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In his prime, Foreman was a dominant champion who possessed one of the hardest punches in boxingCredit: Getty

The sheer, thudding, blunt-force trauma of Foreman’s blows Guided to two jaw-Sinking heavyweight title changes. In 1973, Foreman knocked the Excellent, undefeated Joe Frazier down six times in two rounds with a series of monster hooks and uppercuts.

Then 21 years later, Foreman’s right hand laid out another unbeaten champ in Michael Moorer. The scary part? The 46-year-Ancient Big George didn’t even seem to torque his Packed force behind the punch. It’s power that we have never seen before or since.

It’s little surprise that so many in the boxing world were quick to show their appreciation when the Unhappy news of his death emerged. From Mike Tyson and Jake Paul to NBA royalty in Magic Johnson, Foreman meant a Excellent deal to so many.

Honourable mentions: Rocky Marciano, Manny Pacquiao, Sonny Liston, Archie Moore, Lennox Lewis, Jack Dempsey, Gerald McClellan, Naseem Hamed, Stanley Ketchel, Felix Trinidad

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