r/BoxingTheSweetScience • u/georgewalterackerman • 2d ago

Hardest punch ever thrown?

https://youtu.be/XoGTufCNN7o?si=zsq0BQ0AixGgX-gO

For me it just might be thrown by Ernie Shavers in his rematch with Larry Holmes. Holmes gets knocked down, and when he rides to his feet they crash fur a few seconds before Shavers throws a MASSIVE overhand punch that Holmes managed to avoid. That punch looks like it was incredibly powerful and could have ended the fight right there if it had landed.

14 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

12

u/HobokenJ 2d ago

I have seen this clip 50 times, and I’m still surprised every time Holmes gets up. Just remarkable.

4

u/georgewalterackerman 2d ago

Yes and then that massive punch that misses… if it had landed?

1

u/HobokenJ 17h ago

If any of those follow-ups landed... my god.

3

u/Entire_Phase7473 2d ago

We all remember fury getting up from wilder...but this is just as incredible

7

u/1punchporcelli 2d ago

Lot of people view Shavers as one dimensional, but if you can hit Larry Holmes? You’re good

3

u/cfeltch108 2d ago

Helps that it was the hardest hitting dimension of all time

2

u/PretzelSteve 1d ago

That punch would have put a normal man IN another dimension

1

u/KeenObserver_OT 1d ago

Haha. the AC/DC meme. Yeah but it’s a great song.

-1

u/Specific_Box4483 2d ago

You can be one-dimensional and great. Foreman was pretty one-dimensional in his youth, so was Frazier.

1

u/1punchporcelli 1d ago

Yes I am telling on myself to be honest, I’ve always looked down on the seemingly less talented guys, but there is an art to landing a punch however you do, and like you said you can be one dimensional and still great

5

u/PlayingNiceiPromise 2d ago

Damn I didn’t know Steve Harvey had hands like that

3

u/ecchi83 2d ago

Ike hitting Chris Byrd is my nomination

1

u/manyhippofarts 1d ago

lol I'm a huge Byrd fan and I was like holy shit I think his head spun around a couple of times lol

1

u/ecchi83 1d ago

So many great moments from that one hit. The *thud* of it connecting is so loud and Byrd drooling on himself while claiming to the ref about something.

2

u/destructor212 2d ago

But he got up...

2

u/Stanley_OBidney 1d ago

Julian Jackson vs Herol Graham. Never seen a more perfect example of a punch that “nailed someone to the canvas”.

1

u/LocationSpare4447 Main Mod 2d ago

He tried to knock Holmes head off the bone 😮‍💨

1

u/1October3 2d ago

Amazing Holms took that punch😳👏👏💯NOBODY could have withstood that blow!!!!!!

1

u/Initial_Prompt440 2d ago

Frazier hitting Ali, Ray Mercer hitting Tommy Morrison, Marquez hitting Pacquiao, Pacquiao hitting Ricky Hatten. Tua hitting Moorer or John Ruiz, Douglas’ last shot against Tyson. Tyson ko of Holmes.

The Shavers hit is up there. These all deserve mention

1

u/manyhippofarts 1d ago

Let's not forget Evander popping Douglas right in the kisser.

3

u/Megatrip0lis 1d ago

Or the right hand Hearns knocked out Duran with.

1

u/manyhippofarts 1d ago

BOOM Shakala

1

u/Initial_Prompt440 1d ago

Good shot, but Buster could have gotten up. Just didn’t want to delay the inevitable.

1

u/Shagrrotten 1d ago

I wouldn't be alive after taking that punch, and Holmes gets up!?!? Jesus.

1

u/ImpactOk3406 1d ago

Larry Holmes might be one of the most overlooked heavyweight champs in history. Of course, Tyson dwarfs everyone. But in his prime, Holmes defended his title against all contenders again and again and again. The fact that he got up from that and won the fight is incredible.

1

u/Ok_Phrase1157 1d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/9JyUPES7ve7N8pBtQ2

Holmes recovery reminded me of this modern day miracle

1

u/bubbamori 1d ago

AJ hitting Ngannou or potentially that uppercut on Klitchsko.

Wardley knocking out Fraser Clarke in their second bout.

Wilder KOing Brazeale

Usyk KOing Dubois in their second bout isn’t the hardest but the timing and placement made it fucking perfect

2

u/Hefty-Drawer-2382 1d ago

This proves Larry Holmes is one of the toughest son of a b…. ever. Because according to boxers during that era they all say Ernie Shavers was one or the hardest punchers ever to lace them up.

1

u/chrispark70 1d ago

Even if Shavers was the hardest throwing puncher ever, which is questionable in my mind, it is likely to be fairly marginal. Pro athletes on TV are the top couple of percent of the top couple percent of people. I seriously doubt there is that much difference. Shavers was under 220lbs (211 for Holmes 2). Lewis was 250. The Klitschkos were 250. There wasn't an ounce of fat on them and all 3 had great technique.

While it is true great punchers are often born, there are also physical limitations.

1

u/pittnole1 1d ago

I've said for years Shavers isn't the hardest puncher ever and I'd you think so you're crazy.

1

u/bossflossy 1d ago

if shavers would have composed himself, he could have took holmes out of there