The Top 3 Most Powerful and Ferocious Boxers

Boxing is the sport that helped create some of the greatest athletes to ever grace the art itself and sports in general. As a dedicated fight fan myself here are my top 3 boxers who combined it all and delivered a recipe of devastation in the ring.

3. Arturo Gatti – When I think of Arturo “Thunder” Gatti I can’t help but remember how his fights usually went. Brutal and is one of the best boxers to hail out of Canada with Italian heritage. Compiling a total record of 40-9, he wasn’t the best boxer or most technical, but he did fight with a forward style that always kept fans entertained. Even though he was often described as a slugger and a “brawler,” Gatti also possessed good boxing skills, including a strong jab and the ability to box off his back foot. He fought and lost to some of the biggest names in boxing including Floyd Mayweather Jr and Oscar De La Hoya. Oscar De La Hoya, who faced many big punchers from 130 pounds to 160 pounds, says Gatti hit him the hardest out of any fighter. His most violent and damaging fights is the trilogy he had with Micky “Irish” Ward. A back-and-forth slugfest that had both men not backing down but absorbing so much damage. I’ll never forget the combinations Gatti landed on Ward. When you watch a fighter like that you can’t help but respect the risk and reward of the sport.

2. Roberto Duran – From the days of the great Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and the tough as nails Sonny Liston. Heavyweight boxers were the kings of the sport. The top of the divisions but there is one phenomenal boxer who fought just as ferocious or more than the largest competitors. Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran hails from Panama and was like a storm in his prime. Compiling an outstanding record of 103-16, he fought for over 30 years. One of the few boxers to stay true to the oldest days of boxing where men stood and traded punches with no backing down and little dodging/blocking. Roberto believed in moving forward even if taking damage but as the other fighter engaged him, they usually fell to swift and powerful punches. It gave testament to his earned nickname. He faced the ever so famous, “Sugar” Ray Leonard twice. Earning one victory and losing the second bout due to cuts which many that was controversial. A frustrating match for Duran as Leonard did not want to fully engage him in a forward fight. Still earning his respect while disagreeing with the stoppage. His ferocious style inspired one of the greatest boxers we know in history…

1. Mike Tyson – You can ask anyone who the most powerful and ferocious boxer to ever grace the sport is. The most formidable, powerful and ferocious heavyweight boxer is none other than “Iron’ Mike Tyson. His reign came in the height of 1986 when he was crowned heavyweight champion of the world. Compiling a record of 50–7, Cus D’Amato, was the trainer who helped build Mike Tyson in becoming a heavyweight champion. A true father figure who told him he would be the best there ever was. Due to his height and stature, Tyson was a lot shorter and lighter than most of the division. Because of this he adopted an in the pocket style that proved to be quite effective. In close, the taller opponents couldn’t land effectively on him as powerful uppercuts and hooks didn’t stop coming. A combination of his speed with the power is what made his style so devastating for challengers. In his prime they say there was nothing more intimidating than hearing his entrance music, “Welcome to the Terrordome” as he moved towards the ring like a hungry lion.

There you have it. If you’re interested about hearing more than tune into my NR92 afterhours show, Fights and Beats with Whitehawk. Where we cover all kinds of fight talk including boxing! And be sure to check out all of the other shows other hosts promote on NR92.

Internal image by: Katlin Whitehawk

Header image by: Katlin Whitehawk

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