Who hit harder???

[mickyward5656]

Who do you guys think hit harder, Sonny Liston or Mike Tyson? I believe Liston was the hardest hitter in boxing history, but what do you guys think???

[MANGLER]

Tough call. Liston probably threw wit more force, but Tyson had great handspeed which enhanced his punchin power. Hard to say.

[Dr.Depravity]

That is a tough one. I would say Liston. I have a feeling some of Tyson opponents went down a little easy.

[them_apples]

Liston was real heavy handed, massive arms and fists, i just don't think he was quick enough to sometimes unload those huge shots. And that's what makes a puncher.

[tommy boo boxer]

hard one... tyston?

[Miburo]

Hard to say, many feel that Liston's power (as opposed to and physical stature and strength) was overrated by his contemporaries. One should take into consideration that he was a converted orthodox, explaining his powerful jab but weakening his right hand power shots.

Incidentally, I've also heard that Tyson was converted orthodox, but he seemed a bit more ambidextrous than most.

[Reggie Miller]

Liston had the most powerful left jab of all times, but punching? hard to say.

[Southpaw Stinger]

Liston was the heavier handed so out fo the two I'll say he hit a bit harder.

[Fi5hbone]

Thats a tough question...I think people forget just how devestating a puncher Liston was...On the other hand, Mike Tyson is fresh in everyones memory so its just natural that many will assume that he was the harder puncher...

IMO the biggest difference between the two is that Tyson pretty much threw every punch with the intent of knocking his opponent out...Liston on the other hand was a little more technical in his approach...As far as one punch KO power is concerned I give a slight edge to Liston...

[StarshipTrooper]

I think maybe I'd give a small edge to Sonny. The guy used to break heavybags in training with his left hook.....try that sometime. The truth is, though, when you get to that level of power that guys like Liston and Tyson possessed it becomes a bit like splitting hairs. Both had one-punch KO power but any differences are a matter of small degrees that you probably couldn't tell the difference in the ring; until you start getting to the real frightening punchers like Shavers and Foreman where you stop thinking of one-punch KO power and start thinking of one-punch KILL power.

Power