What makes a knockout artists?

[Mendoza]

What makes a knockout artists?

The question has been asked for decades. I have never read a well constructed theory on why certain fighters score a high percentage of knockouts, and others do not. At first glace most think the ability to score a stoppage is mostly power related. While Power is certainly paramount, many other factors apply.

The following is an attempt to explain what makes a knock out artists.

1 ) Power. Feather fisted boxers seldom have the high KO percentages. The ability to hurt another boxer with power alone that leads to the KO or TKO always shall be the primary factor. The biggest punchers at any weight often have very high or among the highest KO percentages in history. That will never change.

2 ) Skills and Technique. The ability to land well placed power shots. Many fighters have powered, but not all of them have skills to land their best stuff. Skills can also be seen as stoppage looses do to swelling, and in rare cases cuts.

3 ) Stamina. The ability to maintain your power from start to finish. Some boxers lose their punch as the rounds go on. Boxers with great stamina can get late round stoppages, which are rare. Most stoppages happen with in the first 8 rounds, but those with great stamina can score a late stoppage. Stamina is also the ability to throw lots of punches round after round.

4 ) Styles. The style of the fighter. Aggressive sluggers who like to stand and trade are more likely to score stoppage wins than out fighters who prefer to win by boxing and moving. Fighters who like to clinch a lot, play defense and counter punch to win rounds tend to have lower KO percentages because they do not take as many chances.

5 ) Offensive punch variety. Some fighters with big time power are only dangerous with one punch. The best knockout punch in boxing is the left hook, followed closely by the cross, and the uppercut. There is also body punching, which can lead to rare stoppage by itself, or slow the other guy down to land the finishing blows. Fighters who can punch well with both hands, and land power shots with the hook, cross, uppercut, and body punch is dangerous. Sometimes fighters tend to be susceptible to one particular blow due to stance or balance, but seem to avoid the other ones. the more versatile a fighter can be with his power, the more likely he will be to score stoppage wins.

6 ) Level of opposition. Any man with high power should be able to bowl over trial horses with losing records and journeyman who win more often than they lose. It is much harder to stop a fringe contender or top 20 ranked fighter.

6 ) Gloves. The lighter the better. The heavier and wider the harder it is to score a stoppage win. Some gloves that weight the same amount are built for hand protection, others are built for Ko's.

7 ) Ring size. The smaller the better as there is less room to maneuver.

8 ) Venue. Out door fights in hot weather is more likely to end in a stamina related TKO then indoor air conditioned fights.

9 ) Management / match making. Some fighters or managers tend to pick fights when their man is in his prime or near prime, and the other guy is slightly past or past his prime. Other times fighters face extremely tough and durable fighters which can dull their KO percentages.

10 ) Incentive to win by knockout. Sometimes a fighter who is viewed as boring or making a key fight on TV needs to look good and presses for the knockout for the sake of his career. Other times fighters in their home town try extra hard to close the show with the Ko.

[lefthook31]

I think you can generalize a power puncher by saying they are gifted with it. Of course the technic of delivering the punch correctly helps, but most KO punchers have a natural ability to punch hard.

[Bummy Davis]

Some people are born punchers but tecnique is important. Manny Stewart taught Hearns how to keep the power on the end of his punches, Hearns did not really have many KO's in the amatuers. Fighters like Bummy Davis, Rocky Graziano,Marciano,Julian Jackson had tecnique and leverage but were natural punchers

[dmt]

good points. I also think technique is very important as bummydavis mentions

[Duodenum]

It's interesting that the specific term, "combination punching," has not previously entered this thread. Whenever a fighter who is clearly losing a match is getting ready for the final round, and the corner informs that a knockout is needed to win, the advice to punch in combinations is usually heard. "When you punch in combinations, the one punch happens by itself," is one of the most common sayings in boxing. This is what made Joe Louis a greater knockout artist than the much harder punching Earnie Shavers. Arguello also followed the Louis template.

[lefthook31]

It's interesting that the specific term, "combination punching," has not previously entered this thread. Whenever a fighter who is clearly losing a match is getting ready for the final round, and the corner informs that a knockout is needed to win, the advice to punch in combinations is usually heard. "When you punch in combinations, the one punch happens by itself," is one of the most common sayings in boxing. This is what made Joe Louis a greater knockout artist than the much harder punching Earnie Shavers. Arguello also followed the Louis template.
Yeah but I would tend to think most knockout punchers relied more on a one two, to get the leverage and momentum in the second punch. Rarely did you see big power punchers punching in combinations, although Tyson was certainly very effective at it in the first part of his career, and less effective against the better fighters when he became a one two puncher after prison.
Going back to power, Ive sparred with a lot of people and worked with a lot of amatuers, and Ive sparred teenagers that were very green who could punch harder than some of the pros. Its definitely a God given talent that becomes more effective when the proper technique is applied.

[Chinxkid]

How 'bout patience, and the ability to take a shot, too?

You can't throw a KO punch, if you can't take a KO punch.

[lefthook31]

How 'bout patience, and the ability to take a shot, too?

You can't throw a KO punch, if you can't take a KO punch.

Yes and accuracy is another good point. Evander Holyfield was one of the most accurate punchers, and thats why he was able to dent some iron chins.

[la-califa]

What makes a knockout artists?

The question has been asked for decades. I have never read a well constructed theory on why certain fighters score a high percentage of knockouts, and others do not. At first glace most think the ability to score a stoppage is mostly power related. While Power is certainly paramount, many other factors apply.

The following is an attempt to explain what makes a knock out artists.

1 ) Power. Feather fisted boxers seldom have the high KO percentages. The ability to hurt another boxer with power alone that leads to the KO or TKO always shall be the primary factor. The biggest punchers at any weight often have very high or among the highest KO percentages in history. That will never change.

2 ) Skills and Technique. The ability to land well placed power shots. Many fighters have powered, but not all of them have skills to land their best stuff. Skills can also be seen as stoppage looses do to swelling, and in rare cases cuts.

3 ) Stamina. The ability to maintain your power from start to finish. Some boxers lose their punch as the rounds go on. Boxers with great stamina can get late round stoppages, which are rare. Most stoppages happen with in the first 8 rounds, but those with great stamina can score a late stoppage. Stamina is also the ability to throw lots of punches round after round.

4 ) Styles. The style of the fighter. Aggressive sluggers who like to stand and trade are more likely to score stoppage wins than out fighters who prefer to win by boxing and moving. Fighters who like to clinch a lot, play defense and counter punch to win rounds tend to have lower KO percentages because they do not take as many chances.

5 ) Offensive punch variety. Some fighters with big time power are only dangerous with one punch. The best knockout punch in boxing is the left hook, followed closely by the cross, and the uppercut. There is also body punching, which can lead to rare stoppage by itself, or slow the other guy down to land the finishing blows. Fighters who can punch well with both hands, and land power shots with the hook, cross, uppercut, and body punch is dangerous. Sometimes fighters tend to be susceptible to one particular blow due to stance or balance, but seem to avoid the other ones. the more versatile a fighter can be with his power, the more likely he will be to score stoppage wins.

6 ) Level of opposition. Any man with high power should be able to bowl over trial horses with losing records and journeyman who win more often than they lose. It is much harder to stop a fringe contender or top 20 ranked fighter.

6 ) Gloves. The lighter the better. The heavier and wider the harder it is to score a stoppage win. Some gloves that weight the same amount are built for hand protection, others are built for Ko's.

7 ) Ring size. The smaller the better as there is less room to maneuver.

8 ) Venue. Out door fights in hot weather is more likely to end in a stamina related TKO then indoor air conditioned fights.

9 ) Management / match making. Some fighters or managers tend to pick fights when their man is in his prime or near prime, and the other guy is slightly past or past his prime. Other times fighters face extremely tough and durable fighters which can dull their KO percentages.

10 ) Incentive to win by knockout. Sometimes a fighter who is viewed as boring or making a key fight on TV needs to look good and presses for the knockout for the sake of his career. Other times fighters in their home town try extra hard to close the show with the Ko.Also alot of the power comes from the legs. proper leverage is very important in delivering power punches. Just as in Baseball, pitchers will tell you. that the extra speed & power on the pitches, comes from the legs. The same can be said of Boxing. Punches delivered without proper footing are called "Arm punches" Example Oscar De La Hoya: early in his career he would plant his feet & had devistating power! Later, after the Hopkins fight, he would deliver combinations. But he would almost be on the balls of his feet, as if he wanted to pull out early & the punches had little power to them.

[GPater11093]

how about finishing ability

you can see guys with not alot of power but as soon as thy see an opponent tiring or hurt jump all over them and can overwhelm them or KO them

[booradley]

As long as we are on this topic, somebody PLEASE explain the man in my avatar! I honestly have never really understood how "Little red" could hit so freaking hard.

[GPater11093]

As long as we are on this topic, somebody PLEASE explain the man in my avatar! I honestly have never really understood how "Little red" could hit so freaking hard.

Tall had long leverage in his shots. good timing also

did he have big hands? tahts normally a sign of a big puncher

[booradley]

Tall had long leverage in his shots. good timing also

did he have big hands? tahts normally a sign of a big puncher

Leverage explains some of it, and he put his legs into his shots pretty well, but he still remains something of an anamoly. Do you realize Danny only won 3 decisions in his entire career?

[Flea Man]

Lopez had iron fists. Rarely do I see a fighter land what appears to be a nothing punch, only for the guy on the receiving end to fall down half a second later and be laid flat out for about ten minutes!!!


Legs are important. Naseem Hamed was not a big puncher as an amateur, but as he got bigger, his legs became more thick set and it's clear to see they complimented his heavy hands.

Timing is obviously another-Julian jackson knew just the right moment to strike.

There are of course guys that are just destructive punchers. George Foreman comes to mind. He could just swing his arms and if he caught you, it was devastating. He was very heavy handed and powered through with his punches.

Someone like Arguello, is all about timing, accuracy and technique.

In short, not one of Mendoza's points are valid. They all are, but for different fighters.

Good thread :good

[GPater11093]

Leverage explains some of it, and he put his legs into his shots pretty well, but he still remains something of an anamoly. Do you realize Danny only won 3 decisions in his entire career?

yeh it was crazy he only won 3 decisions

maybe he was just such a warrior and had a kill or be killed mentality

he even KOd a guy twice in 1 fight

[booradley]

yeh it was crazy he only won 3 decisions

maybe he was just such a warrior and had a kill or be killed mentality

he even KOd a guy twice in 1 fight

KOed a guy twice in one fight? Ayala?

Fleaman basically summed up my thoughts, only in a different manner than I would.

The OP layed out his thinking in concise and provocative terms. However, the question "what makes a KO artist" has no concrete answer because there are many different "types" of KO artists, and something of a mystery shrouds the entire subject. Let me see if I can name a few contrasting examples.

Argeullo/Lopez: Both tall, skinny KO artists. You could watch Arguello and expect such beautiful form and precision to produce knock outs. You simply can't say that about Danny. He just sort of tumbled around the ring until he landed something flush, and then it was usually over.

Hearns/Haglar: Two ATGs with very different physiques and styles who knocked people sensless with frightening regularity.

Frazier/Foreman: Both these guys stopped George freaking Chuvalo!!! And they're are about as different as different gets.

Fast forward to the current scene, and it's obvious nothing has changed:

Pavlik, Abraham, Bute, Mosely, and Cotto: Five different styles, five different physiques, five guys who leave the majority of their opponents slumped on the canvass.

Like I said; Something of a mystery shrouds the entire subject.

[Flea Man]

Red Rooster, your summation of Lopez is freakin hilarious! Mainly because it's so true.

Says something about Sal Sanchez that he beat Lopez twice. people say, 'Sanchez only beat Nelson and Gomez' and often omit the two fantastic victories over Lopez. The first for instance, was a fantastic fight and the near-to-the end overhand right that Sanchez lands with a feign to the left is a thing of beauty.

Again, Mexican punchers? Does accumulation make you any less of a puncher??? IMO no, if you're stopping very good opponents with one punch, or a combination, or just wearing them down, it makes you a very good puncher.

Maybe not 'K.O artist per se' I guess. Still, is an accumulation puncher still a 'big puncher'? For example, is Julio Cesar Chavez a 'K.O artist' even though he took his opponents into the trenches to get them out of there?

I often hate it how people say Foreman wasn't a massive puncher because it took him six attempts to keep Frazier down :rofl

[GPater11093]

yeh KOd Ayala twice but the referee mucked up big time

happened awell when Cinton fought Martinez recently.

[mattdonnellon]

A painter with lead in his paints???

[booradley]

Red Rooster, your summation of Lopez is freakin hilarious! Mainly because it's so true.

Says something about Sal Sanchez that he beat Lopez twice. people say, 'Sanchez only beat Nelson and Gomez' and often omit the two fantastic victories over Lopez. The first for instance, was a fantastic fight and the near-to-the end overhand right that Sanchez lands with a feign to the left is a thing of beauty.

Again, Mexican punchers? Does accumulation make you any less of a puncher??? IMO no, if you're stopping very good opponents with one punch, or a combination, or just wearing them down, it makes you a very good puncher.

Maybe not 'K.O artist per se' I guess. Still, is an accumulation puncher still a 'big puncher'? For example, is Julio Cesar Chavez a 'K.O artist' even though he took his opponents into the trenches to get them out of there?

I often hate it how people say Foreman wasn't a massive puncher because it took him six attempts to keep Frazier down :rofl

I personally rate Sanchez's win over Lopez higher than the one over Gomez. Danny was THE MAN at 126. Sanchez was a green kid who was suppose to be a routine title defense. Sal not only stopped THE MAN, he also stoppped a fighter whose reputation said, "If you knock him down or hurt him, he's gonna come roarin' back and put your lights out."

[Sweet Pea]

It's not like Lopez was completely un-skilled outside of his power. He was a very sound boxer fundamentally, he just wasn't very varied in his approach. Then again with that kind of power you're always a threat to land the big blow at some point anyway, regardless of what is happening in the fight up to that point, so it doesn't really matter. He made the most of his tools, and I'd only favor the very best technicians over a prime Lopez at the weight, or else fighters who held distinct advantages in other categories.

[booradley]

It's not like Lopez was completely un-skilled outside of his power. He was a very sound boxer fundamentally, he just wasn't very varied in his approach. Then again with that kind of power you're always a threat to land the big blow at some point anyway, regardless of what is happening in the fight up to that point, so it doesn't really matter. He made the most of his tools, and I'd only favor the very best technicians over a prime Lopez at the weight, or else fighters who held distinct advantages in other categories.

I agree with most of what you said here, but I'd alter it a bit. Lopez had good offensive fundamentals, and contray to what some might think, he could even fight off the back foot a bit. However, he was not hard to hit. His defense was not fundamentally solid.

All in all the formula here seems to be:
Good offensive fundamentals + great power in both hands + double tough + the balls of a rhinocerous = KO Artist.