Tony Bellew is a keen boxing historian who has a very assured view of the hardest puncher the sport has ever seen.
Bellew himself secured a number of knockouts including Ilunga Makabu in his WBC world cruiserweight title fight in 2016, and also secured TKOs over David Haye in back-to-back fights. In all, 30 of his wins came by knockout before himself being stopped in his final fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
In conversation with Lucky Block Casino, ‘The Bomber’ was discussing the punching power of notoriously hard-hitting former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, who he thinks should now retire.
“He’s the hardest puncher of the modern era. People saying he’s the hardest puncher ever obviously haven’t got a clue.”
He then made it clear who that honour should go to – George Foreman.
“George Foreman is without a shadow of a doubt is the greatest puncher boxing has ever seen.
Because look who George Foreman rendered unconscious. George Foreman knocked out Joe Frazier. Joe Frazier was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, undisputed, had beaten Ali, and he lifted him off his feet with an uppercut and made him land on his knees. Watch the fight with Ron Lyle, he knocked out Ken North a phenomenal fighter, a real force. He comes back at 40 years of age and knocks out Michael Moorer who beat Evander Holyfield.”
Foreman amassed an incredible 68 knockouts during a career that stretched over four decades. ‘Big George’ still holds the record as the oldest ever heavyweight champion, beating Michael Moorer for the WBA and IBF belts at the age of 45.
