Punching power alone can get a fighter a long way in boxing.
Any young talent coming up who can land heavy shots will always be tipped for the big time. A knockout blow can get boxers out of plenty of tough situations and a long way towards a world title.
Deontay Wilder is a fine example. The American was a long-time WBC champion who managed to knock out 42 of 43 men he has beaten despite being widely recognised as lacking some of the fundamental boxing techniques that many fighters develop over their careers.
Though coming off the back of back-to-back defeats, Wilder has recently been linked with a fight against current WBC bridgerweight champion Lawrence Okolie, which would see him get a shot at a world title in a second division.
Okolie is used to facing power punchers, having sparred the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois.
In an interview with BoxNation the former cruiserweight world champion named exciting British prospect Moses Itauma as the hardest hitter, along with Dubois, that he had ever faced.
“I think he’s probably one of the hardest punchers. Him and Moses Itauma are the two hardest punchers I’ve been in the ring with whether that’s sparring or fights.”
Itauma already has 20 wins to his name at just 19 and has long been aiming to become one of the youngest-ever world champions. Okolie was asked if that was likely.
“He could be definitely. I feel like it depends on who at his age is coming up right now. He has a lot of skill and speed and punching power so we’ll see.”
Itauma has previously spared Tyson Fury who has long been a fan of the young fighter.
