Determining the strength of a punch can be a difficult and subjective task, as it depends on various factors such as the individual’s weight, technique, and the amount of force generated. However, in the field of combat sports such as boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA), there have been various attempts to measure and rank the power of punches among athletes.
When it comes to determining who has the second strongest punch, it is important to consider several factors such as the individual’s weight class, their record of knockouts, and any notable victories or accomplishments in their career. Here are a few contenders for the title of having the second strongest punch in combat sports history:
- Deontay Wilder – Boxing
Deontay Wilder, also known as “The Bronze Bomber,” is a former WBC heavyweight champion and one of the most feared punchers in boxing history. He holds an impressive knockout record of 41 wins out of 44 total fights, with 40 of those knockouts coming in the first round. His most famous knockout came in 2018 when he defeated Luis Ortiz with a devastating right hand that left Ortiz unable to continue.
Wilder is known for his impressive reach and powerful right hand, which has been measured to generate up to 1,200 pounds of force. He has even claimed that his punch is equivalent to getting hit by a sledgehammer, and his opponents have described it as feeling like they were hit by a truck. While Wilder’s punch is undoubtedly one of the strongest in boxing history, he has suffered some recent setbacks in his career, including two losses to Tyson Fury.
- Francis Ngannou – MMA
Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is widely regarded as one of the most devastating punchers in MMA history, with 11 of his 16 professional wins coming by way of knockout. His most famous knockout came in 2021, when he defeated Stipe Miocic with a brutal left hook that earned him the UFC heavyweight championship.
Ngannou’s punching power has been measured at 1,500 pounds of force, making him one of the strongest punchers in combat sports history. He has described his punch as feeling like a “train” hitting his opponents, and his opponents have often crumpled to the canvas after being hit by his strikes. Ngannou is still relatively early in his MMA career and has a lot of potential to continue climbing the ranks of the sport.
- Ernie Shavers – Boxing
Ernie Shavers is a retired American boxer who competed in the heavyweight division during the 1970s and 1980s. He is widely regarded as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, with 68 of his 89 professional wins coming by way of knockout. His most famous knockout came in 1973, when he defeated Jimmy Ellis with a right hand that knocked Ellis out cold.
Shavers’ punching power has been described as “bone-crushing” and “devastating,” with some experts claiming that his punch was the hardest they had ever seen. He was known for his strong right hand, which he would often throw with tremendous speed and accuracy. While Shavers never won a world championship, he remains one of the most respected punchers in boxing history.
- Mark Hunt – MMA
Mark Hunt is a retired mixed martial artist from New Zealand who competed in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is widely regarded as one of the hardest punchers in MMA history, with 13 of his 15 professional wins coming by way of knockout. His most famous knockout came in 2013, when he knocked out Roy Nelson with a powerful overhand right.
Hunt’s punching power has been measured at over 900 pounds of force, and he has been described as having “cement blocks” for hands. He is known for his powerful overhand right and left hook, which have sent many opponents crashing to the canvas. Despite being undersized for a heavyweight, Hunt’s punching power and toughness allowed him to compete with some of the best fighters in the world.
- Julian Jackson – Boxing
Julian Jackson is a retired American boxer who competed in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions during the 1980s and 1990s. He is widely regarded as one of the most devastating punchers in boxing history, with 49 of his 55 professional wins coming by way of knockout. His most famous knockout came in 1990, when he defeated Herol Graham with a single right hand that left Graham unconscious.
Jackson’s punching power has been described as “terrifying” and “explosive,” with some experts ranking him as the hardest puncher of all time. He was known for his powerful right hand, which he would often set up with a piston-like jab. Jackson’s punching power was so fearsome that many opponents would crumble to the canvas as soon as he landed a clean shot.
Conclusion
Determining who has the second strongest punch is a difficult task, as it depends on various factors such as weight class, technique, and the amount of force generated. However, when it comes to combat sports such as boxing and MMA, there are several fighters who are widely regarded as having some of the most devastating punches in history. These include Deontay Wilder, Francis Ngannou, Ernie Shavers, Mark Hunt, and Julian Jackson. While each of these fighters had their own unique style and technique, they all shared one thing in common: the ability to generate incredible power with their punches.