What's the difference between explosive and heavy punching?

[young_robbed]

I don't really see much of a difference really they both mean that someone hits hard just wanted to see your thoughts on it

[RubenSonny]

Explosive suggests speed and snap in your punch e.g. Judah was explosive and Cotto was heavy. Well thats my interpretation.

[CarlosG815]

Tyson was explosive.

Foreman was heavy.

[young_robbed]

So heavy is more about strength and explosive is more about leverage and speed

[CarlosG815]

So heavy is more about strength and explosive is more about leverage and speed

In my opinion yes.

[BigStereotype]

Look at Margarito's heavy punches and Pacquiao's explosive punches. Margarito's punches are powerful only because of his physical strength (let's assume it's strength and not wraps). Pacquiao's punches zip around and hurt, but they're more likely to do damage because you don't see them coming. The effect is different. A good explosive puncher (Pacquiao, Tyson, Louis, Liston) can stop you at any point but a heavy-handed fighter (Cotto, Margarito, etc.) usually has to wear you down.

[Miburo]

Snap, to put it simply.

[Barn]

Power or Explosive strength is a combination of speed and power ot perform one explosive movement.
Heavy Punching is less about speed and more about the strength.

[CarlosG815]

Power or Explosive strength is a combination of speed and power ot perform one explosive movement.
Heavy Punching is less about speed and more about the strength.

I would agree with this also.

[Great John L]

So heavy is more about strength and explosive is more about leverage and speed

Yes and explosive punches are more effective and better for combination punching. That's why Joe Louis could consitenty and easily defeat huge, heavy handed fighters. He was too fdast and accurate for slower one punch fighters to handle.