I recently compiled a list of the hardest punchers. That list took me a lot of time and thought, but I saw a bigger task ahead of me. It was time to make an all time list. I researched fighters from every weight class, truly defining pound for pound. Anyone can just put 15 heavyweights on the list. After each fighter on my top 15 I added why I believe they belong on the list. I have also added an honorable mention featuring 20 fighters who fell just short of the list.

1. George Foreman: 76 Wins 68 Knockouts. There was a time when an undefeated George Foreman fought another undefeated boxer by the name of Joe Frazier. Frazier had defeated Muhammad Ali and was on top of the Heavyweight division. The Foreman vs Frazier fight did not last long. Foreman floored Frazier an incredible six times in only two rounds before the referee stopped the fight! Forman also made Jimmy Ellis, Ken Norton, and Dwight Muhammad Qawi look like fools by knocking them out. On top of that, he knocked out undefeated champion Michael Moorer with a powerful straight right, and at the time Foreman was 45! These accomplishments make it hard to put anyone else above him.
2. Ernie Shavers: 74 wins 68 Knockouts. Shavers was truly a power punching monster. You can look at his record this way: only 6 of his 74 victories were by decision. Although he never captured a world title or was exceptionally skilled, Shavers was feared by many top heavyweights. Shavers was able to knock out Jimmy Ellis and Ken Norton. Shavers also dropped Larry Holmes and even got a mention from Muhammad Ali after being defeated by him. “Ernie hit me so hard, he shook my kinfolk back in Africa,” said Ali after his fifteen round war with Shavers.
3. Rocky Marciano: 49 Wins 43 Knockouts. At 5’11 and 185 lbs, the Brockton Blockbuster needed something more than great heart to produce his undefeated career record of 49-0. Marciano was one of the most deadly punchers of all time. Marciano permanently injured Carmine Vingo after knocking him out in the sixth round. If that is not of a testament to his power, Marciano knocked out legends Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, and Archie Moore. If that does not define a legendary puncher, I don’t know what does!
4. Archie Moore: 185 Wins 131 Knockouts. The Old Mongoose was far from that! The man with the most boxing knockouts in history was one hell of a puncher! Unlike the fighters listed above him, Moore fought at multiple weights. Archie knocked out Jimmy Bivins, Harold Johnson, and The Cocoa Kid. Moore is better known for his quantity of knockouts which is unreal. Mark my word, Archie’s knockout record will never be broken!
5. Julian Jackson: 55 Wins 49 Knockouts. Jackson is easily the hardest hitting fighter below Light Heavyweight of all time. Jackson, much like Shavers, was not exceptionally skilled but did capture championships in two weight classes. Jackson arguably had the most devastating one punch knockout in boxing history. Behind on the scorecards, Jackson nearly beheaded Herol Graham. Jackson also knocked out Hall of Famer Terry Norris in devastating fashion as well as former champ In Chul Baek. If you are not sold on Jackson’s power, his one punch knockout of Herol Graham can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb5ycOudzPM Just listen to the announcer after Graham is knocked out!
6. Sandy Saddler: 145 Wins 103 Knockouts. Fans more so remember Saddler for his legendary rivalry with the great Willie Pep. Saddler shockingly knocked out a 135-1 Willie Pep, dropping him thee times while taking the World Featherweight Title. After loosing to Pep in a rematch, Saddler was able to stop Pep again twice. In their fourth fight, Pep retired on his stool because he was bleeding so profusely from Saddler’s attack he was not able to continue. Saddler also battered European star Ray Famechon and ended another 99 fights before the final bell!
7. Joe Louis: 69 Wins 55 Knockouts. The nickname says it all. The Brown Bomber was explosive with his fists. The longest reigning champion in boxing history kept his title for a reason. Louis knocked out stars Primo Carnera, Max Baer, and Jim Braddock. Louis took it to another level, knocking out Hall of Famers in Max Schmelling, Billy Conn, and Jersey Joe Walcott. After tasting his first defeat at the hands of Schmelling, Louis dropped Schmelling twice in under 2 ½ minutes, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
8. Mike Tyson: 50 Wins 44 Knockouts. Iron Mike should have been known as iron fists. Tyson, known for his devastating uppercuts and a dominant left hook, stopped the first 19 opponents he faced with 11 coming in the first round! Tyson also knocked out two of the best boxers in the heavyweight division at the time: making easy work of Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks. Tyson stopped the undefeated Spinks in the first round and Spinks would never fight again. Mike Tyson also stopped heavyweight hopefuls like Trevor Berbick, Carl Williams, Tony Tubbs, and Frank Bruno, among others. Although Tyson will be remembered by most of society for his crazy antics, true boxing fans will never forget his legendary power.
9. Sugar Ray Robinson: 176 Wins 103 Knockouts. The master of the sweet science was also the master of the knockout. He knocked out more all time greats than anyone in history! Robinson stopped legends like Fritzie Zivic, Jake Lamotta, Bobo Olsen, Randy Turpin, Rocky Graziano, Carmen Basilio, and Gene Fullmer. The legend himself was also a legend killer!
10. Thomas Hearns: 61 Wins 41 Knockouts. Hearns is one of the few boxers in history to maintain his power even while switching weight divisions numerous times. While at Welterweight, The Hitman knocked out long time champion Pinipo Cuevas. While at Super Welterweight, Hearns delivered one of the great all time one punch knockouts, humiliating the legendary Roberto Duran. While at Light Heavyweight, Hearns stopped champion Dennis Andries, dropping him three times in the process. Very few in history can claim the true pound for pound power Hearns did!
11. Sam Langford: 181 Wins 130 Knockouts. Langford was truly unbelievable! Langford fought in almost every weight division. Langford started out as a featherweight powerhouse. Before you knew it, Langford was a middleweight and knocked out the great Philadelphia Jack O’Brien. Langford would again move up and win the Mexican and Australian Heavyweight title: both by knockout! Boxing will never see another fighter like Langford.
12. Wilfredo Gomez: 44 Wins 42 Knockouts. Here is where I truly used the pound for pound definition. Gomez—the former Super Bantamweight, Featherweight, and Super Featherweight—was one of the most feared punchers in history. Gomez, in only his seventeenth pro fight, stopped Dong Kyun Yum, a 58 fight veteran, in the round 12. Gomez defended his title a few more times before facing the invincible 52-0 Carlos Zarate. Gomez shocked the world by stopping Zarate in the fifth round to retain his title. After moving up, Gomez stopped former champion Lupe Pintor. Gomez is a great example of why the smaller weight classes may have some of the greatest punchers.
13. Stanley Ketchel: 52 Wins 49 Knockouts. Ketchel was not known as the Michigan Assassin for nothing! This former Middleweight World Champion scored knockout victories over champions like Philadelphia Jack O’Brien, Billy Papke, and even floored Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson while giving away 35 lbs!
14. Gerald McClellan: 31 Wins 29 Knockouts. Before his unfortunate career ending injury against Nigel Benn, The G Man gave some serious beatings to some other greats! During the Benn fight, McClellan had the lead on all three scorecards and was able to drop him twice, sending him through the ropes in the first round. Before his pro career even started, McClellan was able to knock the great Roy Jones through the ropes in an amateur bout! During his professional career, McClellan knocked out two of boxing’s greatest punchers. McClellan was able to twice knock out Julian Jackson and also dropped John Mugabi. Two of those knockouts came before the bell ending the first round even sounded!
15. Ricardo Lopez: 51 Wins 38 Knockouts. Here is where I really expect to hear the criticism. Lopez never fought above 108 lbs and is a virtual unknown to the typical boxing fan. Those of you who have seen Lopez fight and nearly behead fighters would understand his place on this list. Lopez had power that would dominate in any division. Lopez, along with Rocky Marciano, was the only champion to retire undefeated with at least 49 victories. Lopez knocked out Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, who had one of the longest title reigns in boxing history. Lopez also stopped former champions like Alex Sanchez, Zolani Petelo, Hhideyuki Ohashi, and Saman Sorjaturong. Lopez not only goes down in history as one of the greatest pound for pound fighters but also one of the top punchers.

Light Heavyweights Alexander and Cavallo to meet new opponents on “Night of the Undefeated” on April 6, 2007.

Memphis, March 29-Undefeated World Middleweight Champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor will put his titles on the line for the fourth time when 154-lb world champion Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks moves up to middleweight to challenge him on Saturday night, May 19, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. DiBella Entertainment and Don King Productions will present the boxing extravaganza, which will be Taylor’s second championship defense in Memphis.The victor in this compelling title encounter pitting Taylor (26-0-1, 17 KO’s), the youthful megastar and favorite son of Arkansas against Spinks (36-3,11 KO’s), fighting out of St. Louis, Missouri, will emerge as a leader in boxing’s best pound for pound rankings. HBO Sports World Championship Boxing will televise.Taylor first captured the undisputed middleweight championship against the legendary Bernard Hopkins on July 16, 2006 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, with a 12 round split decision triumph, and defended the title for the first time against Hopkins on December 3, 2005 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with a unanimous decision victory. Taylor has since defended his title twice in 2006, first in Memphis in a controversial draw against Winky Wright on June 17, and last December 9 defeating former champion Kassim Ouma in Little Rock.

The Barbecuefest that DiBella alluded to takes place every May in Memphis and is inspired by the regions’ appetite for pork barbecue. Crowned as the barbecue cooking capital of the world, Memphis is the natural place for the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. The three day affair is one of Memphis in May’s most popular events and draws crowds in the hundreds of thousands.

“It is going to be a great night. Memphis in May, the fight, and the barbeque thing,” said Taylor. “I have known Cory since he was a kid. I am looking forward to fighting him. I am coming in to win because that’s what I do. Everyone, come on out, and have a good time.”

“I’m a big believer in Cory Spinks and his abilities,” said Don King of Don King Productions, “but he’s got his work cut out for him against the young lion Jermain Taylor. That is why this is a fight the fans will want to see.”

“The outcome of the fight will not be determined until these two settle the matter in the ring.”

“I’m happy to get this fight,” Spinks said. “I’ve known Jermain since the amateurs when we traveled together. This fight reminds me of when my uncle Mike stepped up in weight to face Larry Holmes. Here’s to the Spinks jinx striking again.”

“I’ve always said I’m willing to fight the best and my history proves that.”

“I think this fight is going to be a great one,” said Kevin Cunningham, Spinks’ manager and trainer. “Fans will be seeing the best junior middleweight in the world against the best middleweight in the world. What you have here is the bigger, stronger guy in Taylor against the smaller, faster guy in Spinks. This is similar to the match up between De La Hoya and Mayweather later this year.”

“This will be the biggest fight in Memphis since Mike Tyson versus Lennox Lewis.”

“We are honored that Memphis and FedExForum were selected to host this exciting championship fight” said Stephen A. Zito, Sr. VP of Arena Operations.

Tickets are priced at $550, $450, $250, $125, $95, $45, and $25 for students, seniors, and active military and will go on sale on Wednesday, April 4 at 10:00 AM Central time. Tickets are available at the FedExForum Box Office, All Ticketmaster Outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 901-525-1515.For more information, visit www.fedexforum.com.

Blockbuster Fight Series to Arrive on June 2nd in the U.S. for First Time on SHOWTIME® Pay–Per-View

Los Angeles, March 27, 2006 – FEG (Fighting Entertainment Group), ProElite (PELE:PK) and Showtime Networks today announced a deal to bring the immensely popular “K-1 Dynamite” mixed martial arts (MMA) series to the United States for the first time.

Dubbed “Softbank presents Dynamite!! USA in association with ProElite,” this SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View event will take place June 2 at the legendary Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which will host a mixed martial arts fighting event for the first time in its 74-year history.

“Dynamite!! USA promises to be one of the most exciting MMA events in history, and FEG is extremely excited to bring our production to this legendary Los Angeles venue,” said Mr. Tanikawa, CEO of FEG. “Mixed martial arts has shown tremendous growth in recent years and events like this show that we are looking to raise the bar in making it one of the more popular sports in the U.S.”

 Headliners on the fight card will come from a variety of backgrounds, including 7-foot-2 South Korean giant Hong Man Choi, aka “Techno Goliath,” who will face off against former NCAA and WWE wrestling champion Brock Lesnar. Also joining the fight card on June 2 will be mixed martial arts legend Royce Gracie and Johnnie Morton, a former USC Trojan wide receiver and NFL star.

Hong Man Choi, a K-1 Asia champion, will be making his first U.S. MMA appearance at the June 2 event, where he will take on newcomer Lesnar, a North Dakota native who rose to WWE stardom in shows such as WWE Raw, SummerSlam and WrestleMania.

Gracie, a 14-year MMA pioneer and UFC Hall of Famer, began his training in the discipline of Jiu-Jitsu and has taken on many larger opponents during his career, including 6’8, 486 lb. Sumo Grand Champion, Akebono, who Gracie defeated.

Morton, a Los Angeles native and football star with University of Southern California and the NFL’s Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers during an illustrious career, will be making his MMA debut at “Softbank presents Dynamite!! USA in association with ProElite.”

The pay-per-view fight card, which begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, will feature up to six fights, with co-main events. Prior to the pay-per-view, SHOWTIME will televise three explosive bouts featuring EliteXC stars Jake Shields, Antonio Silva and Gina Carano, free to SHOWTIME subscribers from 9-10 p.m. ET/6-7 p.m. PT. For pay-per-view pricing and ordering information, viewers should contact their local cable or satellite provider.

“Dynamite!! USA will offer one of the most diverse and exclusive fight cards to appear in an MMA ring, something we feel is important for our inaugural event in the U.S.,” said Mr. Tanikawa, CEO of FEG. “All the fighters bring different sets of skills to the ring, which makes for truly entertaining combat. MMA fans stateside and around the world will be treated to a number of exhilarating matches and unique competitors that make these fights so exciting.”

“Softbank presents Dynamite!! USA in association with ProElite” will combine the disciplines of karate, kickboxing and kung fu, as well as masteries of jiu-jitsu, judo and wrestling. The action takes place in a boxing-style ring, which provides easy accessibility for TV viewers and audiences. FEG matches take place in a controlled environment, where competitors are required to adhere to a series of rules and regulations. Fighters are not allowed to use elbows and attacks are not allowed to the head when one of the opponents is on the ground. FEG holds events in more countries worldwide than any other MMA organization. The events, which draw in excess of 90,000 fans to packed arenas, have been broadcast in more than 130 countries, including New Years Eve prime time broadcasts that average more than 40 million viewers worldwide.

Fans can purchase tickets for Dynamite!! USA at all Ticketmaster locations, as well as online at www.ticketmaster.com and the Coliseum box office. Ticket prices will range depending on locations. Seats are available both on the field and in the stadium bowl.

“Softbank presents Dynamite!! USA in association with ProElite” was brought to the United States from Japan with the financial help of Mr. Masayoshi Son, CEO of Softbank Capital, who, according to Forbes Magazine, is the richest man in Japan. Softbank, a leading telecommunications and media corporation, has been a key partner in the distribution of broadcasting and videogram rights throughout the world using Softbank’s global network. As a result, the fighting competitions offered by FEG, such as “K-1,” are currently viewed by spectators in more than 130 countries throughout Asia, Europe and Africa.

“As business partners, Softbank will combine FEG’s excellent fighting sports content and event production expertise with SOFTBANK’s strengths to pursue further global expansion,” said Mr. Son. “We will fully support “Dynamite!! USA” and offer blood-tingling sport scenes to audiences throughout the U.S.”

“This fight card, with a star-studded field of international competitors is one of the most compelling pay-per-view offerings I have seen in a long time,” said Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks. “Showtime Networks has long been a leader in the pay-per-view business and we are proud to produce and distribute this event, as well as offer the compelling lead-in bouts on SHOWTIME. I would like to thank Softbank, FEG and ProElite for their tireless effort helping pull off this epic event.”

Calling the action on both the SHOWTIME telecast and the Dynamite!! USA pay-per-view will be play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo. Iconic world wrestling star Bill Goldberg and veteran NFL reporter Jay Glazer will serve as color analysts. The executive producer of US telecasts will be David Dinkins, Jr. with eight-time Emmy Award winner John Faratzis directing.

“The tremendous growth of the sport over the last few years clearly demonstrates a demand for MMA on television, and its passionate fan base is a community which ProElite is building,” said Doug DeLuca, CEO of ProElite. In the weeks prior to the live event, SHOWTIME® will air a six-part series entitled “Countdown to Dynamite!! U.S.A.,” profiling fighters, detailing the match ups and previewing the historic night of action. New episodes of Countdown will premiere every Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning April 30, on SHOWTIME®, with replays airing throughout the week on the network’s multiplex channels. For a complete schedule of airings, visit to www.SHO.com/schedule. Promotions partner ProElite will execute a range of marketing efforts leading up to the June 2 event. Through its ProElite.com Internet community which is an inclusive, social network for fans, fighters and MMA organizations there will be exclusive content and promotional opportunities tied to this event; visit www.proelite.com.

About FEG

Formed in 2003, FEG, Inc assumed the role of K-1 Corporation in production and management of K-1 events that at the time were enjoying 13 years of success. In addition to K-1 Events, FEG, Inc’s goal was to expand the company’s presence into the world of Mixed Martial Arts as it saw the overwhelming demand from the viewers and fans. In 2005 FEG, Inc started the production of the Hero’s events in Japan. Under the current corporate structure, FEG, Inc is responsible for the production and promotion, as well as all other aspects of business from fighter contracts to event marketing of both the K-1 and Hero’s (Mixed Martial Arts) events all over the world.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD™, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND™ and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV.

About Softbank

SOFTBANK is a comprehensive digital information company providing a wide range of communications, portal and content services. With approximately 26 million subscriber lines, we offer a broad range of mobile, IP broadband Internet and fixed-line communications services through our extensive network infrastructure in Japan. SOFTBANK also offers a variety of content services, including Yahoo! JAPAN, the leading Japanese language portal with over 110 million unique monthly browsers, as well as broadband broadcasting, video-on-demand (“VOD”) and online games.

About ProElite

ProElite Inc. delivers consumers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite delivers the MMA sport the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s Internet business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of martial arts enthusiasts around the world. ProElite’s live fight division EliteXC delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters. In addition to cable television broadcasts and net-streamed events, ProElite expands the fan base for the sport’s fighters by incorporating the phenomenon of Internet-based social networks and communities to bring ProElite fighters and fans together in both the virtual and real worlds.

FIGHT NIGHT AT THE ARMORY IN PHILADELPHIA

Posted on | March 28, 2007 | 3 Comments

Philadelphia Boxing Report – National Guard Amory – March 23, 2007

LEGENDS OF FIGHTING 14: AN ACTION-PACKED MMA EVENT

Posted on | March 28, 2007 | 1 Comment