Teddy Atlas named Mike Tyson, George Foreman and Sugar Ray Robinson in his top 10 pound-for-pound punchers, but only one man’s fists were powerful enough to claim the top spot.
In a sport where punching power plays a key role, particularly in the heavyweight division, it is perhaps no surprise that this list brings together several all-time greats.
Heavyweight legend Joe Louis, for example, is listed at number eight, with Atlas crediting the “Brown Bomber” for his excellent balance and positioning.
Arguably a more unexpected entry, meanwhile, is “Iron Mike” at number seven, as Tyson’s ruthless rise throughout the 1980s would likely inspire many others to place him higher on the list.
But Atlas, of course, has a history with Tyson, and even removing any bias from the equation, the former coach’s top five remains a nearly impossible category to break into.
So at number five is “Big George” Foreman, whose stoppage victories over Joe Frazier and Ken Norton during the 1970s made him an obvious choice.
Fans should also have few qualms, with Atlas’ selection of Earnie Shavers – perhaps the hardest-hitting heavyweight of all time – at number four.
There should also be few complaints about Robinson, arguably the greatest fighter of all time, and former featherweight world champion Sandy Saddler being positioned third and second respectively.
As for his take on the hardest puncher of all time, Atlas, while speaking on his YouTube channel, THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, was left with no choice but to select light heavyweight great Archie Moore.
“First of all, I can’t argue with the math, I can’t argue with the myth, I can’t argue with the man… How long he was there, how special he was.
“He wasn’t treated fairly – they didn’t give him a world title shot until he was in his late 30s. But, once he got [the world light-heavyweight title]he clung to it.
“You must be special when they call you ‘the old mongoose’ – smart, but he was also deadly.”
“Archie Moore: [219 professional fights, with 132 knockouts]. Yes, this is the record, this is the greatest number of knockouts among all fighters in the history of this wonderful sport.
