When boxing fans are watching a match, most are waiting for the moment that one punch that skews the game to arrive. That punch is known as the knockout punch. Knockout punches are similar to goals in hockey and soccer or a touchdown in American Football. A single knockdown gets boxing fans both in the arena and on TV on their feet, anticipating what next will come from both fighters.
Professional boxing has been in existence for about a century and a half. During this period, the game has had some dramatic flashes. More often than not, knockout punches make up most of these exciting moments. Boxing fans try to return to these moments at different periods by visiting this site to see thrilling punches.
Boxing has also had several great fighters. Nonetheless, some special ones could consistently keep the crowd on their feet by producing knockout after knockout in matches.
This article will highlight the best knockout artists in history.
Boxing’s Top Knockout Punchers
Rocky Marciano
Going by statistics, Rocky is the best knockout puncher in boxing history. Boxing fans who know their history sometimes argue that the boxers he fought against and knocked out were not top quality. Nevertheless, scoring 43 knockouts out of 49 fights is still a stellar record.
The heavyweight boxer also never lost any of his matches. That kind of record is scarce in boxing. Mariano knocked out great boxers like Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Ezzard Charles. While he only stood at 5’10”, his punching power propelled him into stardom in popular culture. The movie, Rocky Balboa, was inspired by his knockout skill.
Mike Tyson
Mike Gerard Tyson is possibly the most popular puncher alive today. Nicknamed ‘Iron Mike,’ he destroyed his opponents with a combination of footwork, excessive speed, and power. He was popular during the 1980s and 1990s and is heralded as the greatest puncher the boxing world has ever seen.
While punchers like Rocky didn’t have great footwork and speed, Mike had both. He also had a great defense that allowed him to go into several fights undefeated. However, he has a lower knockout record than Rocky, with 44 knockouts in 56 fights.
His best knockouts include the Trevor Berbick knockout, the Frazier knockout, which came less than 35 seconds into the bout, and his Michael Spinks knockout, which sent Spinks into retirement. Mike was an expert at ending fights within three rounds, which earned him his popularity.
Archie Moore
Archie Moore never evaded any fighters, and he fought for 28 years. During this period, he had 131 knockouts in 218 fights. His most popular knockout was the one recorded over Bobo Olsen in only three rounds.
Archie was also one of the very few who knocked down Rocky Marciano. Nevertheless, the knockdowns were not powerful enough to beat Rocky, who overpowered and beat him with a revenge knockout.
George Foreman
George is popular not only because of his fight with Muhammad Ali but also his crazy punching power. Weighing more than most heavyweights at the time, he scored 68 knockouts in 81 fights. He also beat some of the best boxers during his first stint, including Ken Norton and Joe Frazier.
He was so feared that when he fought Muhammad Ali, people were scared for Ali because they assumed Foreman would dispose of him with a few body punches. Nevertheless, the fight in Zaire ended up in Ali coming up top.
George’s second stint included a highlight of knocking out Michael Moorer when he was aged 45 and had been away from boxing for ten years. Foreman showed that the power of a puncher remains with them even until their aging days.
Jack Dempsey
Jack Dempsey was one of the most famous boxers of the early 1900s, scoring 50 knockouts in 76 matches. What he lacked in outfighting and footwork skills, he made up with his punching power.
His most famous moment comes as a fighter in 1919 against Jess Willard, who was miles taller than him and was the heavyweight champion. The fight, nicknamed the ‘David and Goliath’ fight, ended up with Dempsey on top.
Conclusion
Knockouts are arguably the climax of every boxing bout, and some notable fighters mastered the art of scoring knockdowns. Some of the best knockout artists include Rocky Marciano, Archie Moore, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, and Jack Dempsey.
