What Was Mike Tyson’s Hardest Punch?

Published 11/08/2022, 4:15 PM EST

It’s common knowledge that boxing legend Mike Tyson was one of the hardest punchers in the history of boxing. The former heavyweight champion was notorious for his knockout power, which made him a fearsome foe for any boxer during his time.

However, people fail to recognize the extent of the power Tyson held in his hands. In a report published by Thrillist, it was calculated that Tyson’s punching power was equivalent to being hit by a Vespa motorbike at a speed of approximately 15 kilometers per hour.

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The study was recorded using various models and took into account height and range, among other things. The unit which was used in the study was joules, which is the unit of energy. Moreover, Iron Mike is estimated to have a punch power of up to 1,600 joules.

This beat one of the hardest punchers, Rocky Marciano’s record of 1,256 joules. It was also revealed that the power of Tyson’s punch is equivalent to being shot by 13 people using a 22 caliber pistol using a flak jacket. On the other hand, it could also be compared to feeling a hit felt the same as falling from a height of 2.1 meters.

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This certainly is enough to send people down to the canvas. However, as years go by, athletes in every sport evolve and get better. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder are both considered to be the hardest punchers today. So let us compare how these two go up against ‘The Baddest Man On The Planet’.

Did Mike Tyson punch harder than Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder?

Back in 2017, Francis Ngannou visited the UFC Performance Institute. This was where he created the world record for the hardest punch ever measured, according to the promotion. The heavyweight champion recorded a punch of 129,161 units, which surpassed the previous record held by kickboxer Tyrone Spong.

This punch was said to be equivalent to being hit by a Ford Escort Truck. On paper, this is more than Tyson’s recorded punch.

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Although Wilder’s punches were never officially recorded, many feel that he is the hardest puncher ever. The Bronze Bomber has claimed 41 KOs in his 42 victories, with Tyson Fury being the only person he wasn’t able to put down. This shows that despite not having a recorded punch, Wilder could make the case for the hardest puncher ever.

What did you think about Tyson’s punches compared to Ngannou and Wilder? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Sahil Sood is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, and holds a keen interest in the 'sweet science'. His journey towards following boxing began when he first saw the highlights of Mike Tyson as a teenager, and then closely followed the rise of Floyd Mayweather.

Edited by:

Paras Pande

What Was Mike Tyson’s Hardest Punch?

Did Mike Tyson punch harder than Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder?

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