5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce - The Boxing Board Ep.2 | Who possesses the greatest punch in boxing?

Episode Date: September 2, 2026

The Boxing Board is back to settle one of boxing’s most explosive arguments: who possessed the greatest punches in the sport’s history?Chairman Ade Oladipo is joined by broadcaster and former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson, alongside former Team GB boxer and boxing writer Ruth Raper, for a debate spanning four punch-perfect categories: the jab, the hook, the uppercut and the body breaker.Can anyone compare with the snap of Larry Holmes’ jab? Does anybody deserve to top Roy Jones Jr. for the greatest hook in boxing? And which heavyweight uppercut will earn our producer’s pick as the most lethal ever thrown?Expect strong opinions, expert knowledge and plenty of names that will have boxing fans arguing long after the final bell.

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You can also enjoy a range of our podcasts ad-free with an Amazon music subscription. Welcome to the boxing board. I'm Adi O'Dipo, and I'm here to settle once and for all some of the biggest debate in boxing. That was on the top of the list on Google, wasn't it? One second, pause. Where did you get her from, man? I think we all know, Roy Jones Jr throws that hook, it lights out, it's game over. But his hook was more about athleticism. Yeah.

Sorry. Sorry about I've just got natural athleticism. I do apologize. Oh my God, that should have gone. That's what I was going to say. Was you going to go to Macaulamacallery? That's my story. If you fight Thomas Serns and you hurt him, it's a lose-lose. If you fight Thomas Serns and it hurts you, it's a lose.

Andy on the Depot, people, boxing boards. And today we have a great subject. They're all great subjects. But today is a special one because we're going to be talking about this and this. We're talking about the punches, the best punches in boxing. And we have four categories to make this discussion a very good one. Now they are as follows, the jab, the hook, the upper cut, and the rib breaker, the body shots.

Now I have two very special guests to do this with me. I have on my left, I will call him Sir Johnny Nelson, because I feel like he deserves that title. Former Cruiserweight World Champion, one of the most recognisable faces in British boxing. We should have music here for this man, but we will clap instead, Johnny Nelson. Johnny Nelson in the garden.

Pay me that money later, sir. Pay me that money later. And on my right, massive fan of this lady. I think she's one of the best voices upcoming in the sport of boxing. If you don't know her, get to know her. I am talking about former Team G.B boxer as well. So she comes with, you know, the numerals. Roof Raper, ladies and gentlemen,

Roof Raper. Come on. Yes. Too cool, so cool. It's too cool for school. All right. So this is how it works, ladies and gentlemen.

We will discuss each category. Now, we are talking, as I said, the punches. I will repeat the categories again. They are the jab, the hook, the upper cut, and the rib breakers, the body shots.

Now, as we discuss a category, if you mention said fighter, that fighter is now off the table. I'll give you an example. For example, if you mention Tommy Hearns for Jab, you cannot mention Tommy Hearns for the upper cut. He's done. All right. Yeah?

That's it. We will have 45 seconds to bring your debate forward. We will discuss it. We will throw to Tom, our producer, who will decide who the winner is. But forget Tom. The most important people is you at home. You will decide to get into the comment section and decide who the winner is. Roof can pick any of the categories.

and you will then have 45 seconds to name a fighter and name said punch. I've got Johnny giving me the deaths there here, so I'm a bit worried. I'm trying to think tactical. I'm trying to think, right, who have I got that obviously everyone else is going to choose, so I get their first.

But you know what? I'm just going to go straight away off the bat. Best jab. This is not the fashionable choice, but I'm going for the one and only. Money, Mayweather. Now, like I said, I know. She's a kid.

I've got it! No, listen. to me. Here me out. Hear me out. No, no, no, no, no, no. Listen, listen, I know he's not the fashionable choice. But 15-time world champion, five-weight divisions.

The ultimate boxer. The ultimate IQ. I heard of rehearsing. And what, no, no, no, no, no. What tool does the ultimate boxing need? It's the jab. And listen, yes, there's lots of flashy, beautiful jabs out there. They get flicked out from the wrist, power jabs, all of this.

But who has every jab in the box? Whose jab is the most versatile? She's got a point. The Corales fight. Yeah. What shot did it? Oh my gosh. You have actually been, I heard it rehearsing this.

She's got a point because if we're talking a jab and many at home would just think of a jab as just a straight jab. Floyd's jab was literally from everywhere. That jab came from everywhere and was thrown every angle. Name of all versatile jab. I need to respect her because I'm just got a bit of boxing snobbery going on here. It's not bad. I don't know if it's a winner. It's not bad.

Give me a better jab and I'll tell you why. Floyd's jab is better. And I'll pick, I've got about six to pick from because that's how many he had. I'll give you a few. You've got Larry Holmes. One type of jab. Ken Norton.

Are you mad? One type of jab. Okay, Larry Holmes. We'll go Ken Norman. We'll play with Larry Holmes later. Pick one. Don't do this. Don't try and pick three or four.

Okay, I will stick with Larry Holmes. Okay. Larry Holmes was Ali's chief sparring partner when Ali was at the top of his tree. That was on top of the list. You watched it. You watch all of his footage. You remember watch all of his footage.

One second, pause. That was on the top of the list on Google. That was strong. You watch all of his footage. Where do you get her from, man? You watch all of his footage. You see him sparring with Ali back in there. Forget the fires.

And he was the only sparring partner that hammered Harley in sparring. And Ali was one of the most all-rounded fighters going. His jab was fast. It was sharp. It was straight. It maneuvered fighters into any direction he wanted to. And we had him on.

a show called Ringside once and he was he was talking about breaking the jab down throwing it from the forearm flicking out with a solid solid fist at the end of it he understood the power of the jab a jab can take around the world his jab took him round a world it might not have been the most popular fighter especially for beating Ali when he was way past his best but his jab to me was diamond it was like a diamond tip drill yeah no look let's be honest it was an incredible jab you know the funny thing is when you think jabs you do think Larry Holmes you do like you do think Larry Holmes, but I don't know if that's just...

I should have it then? Well, not yet because Adiola Depot's got to go. And you know what that means. You know what that means? I think, yeah, and this might not be a popular choice, but I'm thinking of a jab that has stopped people. Your jabs are good. Your jabs are good.

My guy's jabs, I'm looking down the barrel of the camera here, has stopped people. I'm talking about a Russian called Sergei Kovlev who put people to sleep with a jab. I remember Nathan Cleverly saying he felt like he's been hit with an axe with the jab he put down

Jean Pascal with a jab he knocked out Cedric Agnew with a jab yeah stop my good friend Anthony Yard

with a jab yeah now Floyd ain't stop no one with a jab and Larry Holmes only hurt people with a jab

my guy stopped you with a jab but if he didn't stop you got stopped my guy stopped you with a jab but you

it's not about just getting stopped about being controlled maneuvered set up for that right hand uppercut

left up whatever is whatever's coming Larry Holmes is he was key he understood That was a key to him.

Every shot you were going to throw, right hand counted. My guy, it was a fight ender. Your guy was setting up a shot for the right hand. My guy was like, we don't need the right hand. The left hand is the only hand. But what if that doesn't work? What if he's trying to set up when he doesn't work? Oh, no.

Oh, come about the right hand as well. Come back with it. Floyd Mayweather. Garbage. Power is not the job of the jab, right? It's great if it can do that, but that's not what it's, it's for setting the table. It's for precision.

It's for making your opponent do what you want them to do and guess what? Floyd would use one type of jab over and over and over and over again and then when you worked it out he'd move on to the next type over and over again and then the next type and then he'd mix it all up

so his opponents were clueless they had no idea what was going on they were confused up to a next level you know what I've got to give you a shell and Floyd Mayweather out on beat wins it's not flashing his jabbies everything

and he's a brilliant all right on it because he's unbeaten I still believe Larry Holmes's jab was a very heavyweight, the speed, the accuracy, the variation you had. I think it blitzes that little fellow. Let me ask you two. Boxers, all right? Again, Team G.B. I had three amateur fights and former world champion, right? But you guys has been in there, right? Yeah. What's the scariest thing in boxing? Surely it's about being hurt. For me, when I watch it, I'm like, do not hurt me. My jab, my guy hurt you with a jab. The scariest thing in boxing is being hit by a punch you can't see not once, not twice, constantly.

If you can throw a jab that fast and it whites you. What if the punt hits you and it doesn't hurt? No, no, because in your head you're thinking, where did that come from? There'll be a number one. And if you get him in the right spot at the right time, it doesn't have to be hard. You just got to get a right shot, right time you take him out. You know, one thing about Floyd's jab, but I just remember that. And it's not even in the ring.

It's when he's hitting that heavy bag. Like a shotgun. Like a shotgun. Boom. And he's throwing it back and, like. And I'm like, oh my, it's whipping so quick. So Floyd definitely was the fastest jab. It was the fastest.

Your guys was the smartest jab. My guy was the hardest jab. Do you want fast? Do you want smart or do you want hard? No, no, no, no, no, no. Smart. Floyd was the smartest. Yeah, yeah.

He was smart, but not the smartest. Smartest? Yes, the smartest. Unbeaten. Of course it was unbeaten, but what I'm saying, yeah, yeah, we both. Mani Pakiotia, years after they should have bought. Yes, but why was that?

Why was that? Manis fault or his fault? Money's fault. You heard his pops in the corner and say, are you scared of this boy, son? Go back to it. You heard him talk. Floyd's father talking to him.

You scared him. Get on with him. And that was six years past time. If money had done the drugs test, we would have had that fight at least three years earlier than we had it. All right. So in conclusion, clearly I think all three of us think

we've got the guy that has the best jab. I know what I'm going to go. What do you think? Tom, unbiased Tom. Who has the best jab, Tom? Floyd, Kovlev. Or Larry Holmes. I didn't give it the big

First of all you answer that How old of you, Tom? 35. Oh, he's coming with a... You know what he's... No, no, no. Tom's a historian. Tom's an historian of the game.

Historian of the game. What you're saying, baby? Ruth put up a good argument. But when you think of the jab, you think of Larry Armour. One second, one second. Tom. So I didn't even get a mention.

Ruth put up a good argument when you think of a jab. Do you think of like... Covalet? I can hear a... Covalet stop people with a jab. I can hear it. He stopped people with a jab, Tom.

Stop them with a jab. Yeah, nice. I get him, I go. You've got to give me better, Eddie. All right, cool. Google strikes again. Move on. Can we ring the bell?

Ding. All right. One nil to Johnny. Doesn't matter again. It's the taken part of that counts. We are not scoring. We're not scoring. Johnny, the floor is yours.

Pick your subject. Pick your fighter. I'm going. for the hook. The hook is one of those shots that if you get chopped by a proper hook, fights over, it's done. And if you get chopped by a hook that is three, four, five shots on the

spot, you're done. The best hook I've seen, and he varied it up, Sugar Raillanders. Sugar Raillanders used to play tennis. Sure, Railland is, and so people don't know it, he was a great tennis player. But when he got into fight, you watched a fight with Thomas Hern's, the first

fight, and he was very not up from from up, across, he was very not up, And he'd do it three, four, five times the same spot. You look at most of this violence and that hook was fast. It was persuas, precise. It's from the head to the body, chained it into an uppercut of the same hand. And you think he's not going to throw it again and again. And again, he's not dumbed it or faked it with a jab or a different shot.

His speed, his accuracy and everything was spot on. I can't lie, that's a really good pick. It's a really, really good pick. It isn't the pick. However, because the pick, sorry, Ruth, ladies, this is me there and first. this time. If a man's nickname is Captain Hook,

then I'm sorry. Games over already, isn't it? My nickname was the entertainer. I didn't entertain, brother. You know what I mean? If your nickname's Captain Hook, I guess it's in the title. Roy Jones Jr. had the best

hook that we've ever seen. If you're talking speed, you mentioned Sugar Ray Leonard there, and in terms of speed, I mean, I could counter and say, Roy, speed for speed with Sugar Ray, probably there. Roy Jones Jr., land, that hook and it was game over.

You didn't know if that hook was going to the body or if it was going up top. You knew it was coming and a bit like messy on the left foot there's nothing you can do about it. Go and watch his fight against James Tony. James Tony's thinking him and Roy and then he lands that.

Yeah, but it's only, it'd be one shot. Sugar Ray's shot was out of nowhere you'd be up clothed. No, no, no, no. You two set me up. Go, go one second. One second, Ruth. One second, Ruth, go and watch his fight with Jeff Lacey.

I don't know you might say Jeff Lacey, but Roy Jones Junon was 40. Jeff Laced was like 31, 32. He lands six unanswered hooks in a row at light heavyweight. Your boy was doing it at 1-4-7. My boy had an extra 20 pounds on his back. And he stole.

He was doing it to the best of them. With the best of them. No, no, no. He did it with the best. And that hawk, to get away with that heart, Wolframanitas, 17 years old. Look at you, Tom. The shots, and he did it with world-class fires.

That's a cheeky shot to try and get away with. If you're going to throw a haw, That means you're in close enough for him to catch me in a jab right, right cross or anything. And he's not just throwing one, he's throwing three, four, five. Sounds like you've got a small. This is all really smart. You're implying that my guy wasn't doing it against world-class fighters. Yeah, but he was doing it.

With one shot, he'd dummy the shot, boom straight in. Sugar air would bab, bab, bab, bab, all over the place. Come on, Ruth, what you got? Captain Hook. See both these men that you've mentioned. Unbelievable fighters. Thank you. I know where she's going. I know where she's going.

I know what she's got. Some of the best that's ever laced up the gloves. And do you know where they learned it from? Go on. Robinson. Oh, she got old school, Sugar Ray. Come on now. Like, if you're really talking about who's the best fighter to ever lace up the gloves,

what was his best shot? It was the left hook. Go back, Robinson versus Gene Forma, too. The best, one of the best knockouts there's ever been. And you know what? It's different compared to every other person who throws a brilliant hook. He made it look effortless. He basically invented the hook.

Sure, just turn the shoulder over. Unbelievable. Get on YouTube now, I'm telling you. Look at that knockout. That's enough. Play the clip, five seconds. watch that clip. You don't need to talk.

We don't need to talk no more. Okay, my fighter obviously took his nickname from Sugar Ray Robinson. Took it all from Robinson. But I think he refined it. He brought the best out. He was the 2.0

version. You know what I mean? He was the 2.0. And he did it every single level at every single way. I hear what you're saying. I hear your argument. He got out hooked by Duran.

No, he didn't. He got out hooked. He got our muscle by Duran. And then when he used your brain and starts to box. He got out hooked. Yeah, the first fight. But the second.

He came back and then he varied it up and then she started to show the hook. If you're going to have a hawking contest, you and I can throw a hook, it's the first one who lands. Get your hand off the bell. It's the first one who lands. I will say this, there was no debate about my guy getting outhooked by anyone. I think we all know Roy Jones Jr. throws that hook, it's lights out, it's game over. But his hook was more about athleticism. Yeah.

Sorry, sorry if I've just got natural athleticism. I do apologize. I do apologize. I've got that God-giveness. I've got that God-given strength and speed and talent. It's not my fault. It's not my fault. And you talk about the greatest of all time, which Sugar Ray Robinson probably is, right, that's the debate.

If my guy stopped after beating John Ruiz. If someone just said, pack it in, we could be talking about the greatest fight all the time in Sugar. So when Sugar Ray, when Sugar Allend landed with a hook, he knocked most of them out. Roy Jones stepped up to... John Ruiz, stepped up to heavyweight,

and his shots were brilliant, they were gotten. But they weren't lights out. It wasn't night over. Sorry, so one second. My guy jumped up from light heavyweight to heavyweight and you're complaining about him not knocking the air. No, but if you throw a hawk, a good hook, you can knock almost anybody out.

Like Robinson used to do. I think this one's difficult. I think they're all good shows. 40 undefeated fights, one loss and then 80 undefeated fights. Mostly, well, no, he had everything that's perfect, but the hook, unreal, come on. Come on. Come on.

Have we missed a couple out here? We probably have, but I would miss loads. I thought you was going to go smoking Joe Fraser. He is on my list. I've learned my lesson because last time I missed the obvious and went to be three smart. So this time I'm just sticking to the obvious, which to me was sugar in.

Okay. Sugar, sugar, right. I mean, we've named three incredible. The top three. This is going to be difficult. And I like, if either of you win, fair, I think I should win. But if either of you win, I'm not mad.

I can just say, remember, at the end of the day, he always says he's not allowed to take part. There's no winners and losers kids. Tom. Tom. Tom. Tom what you say? Tom. Tom. Tom. His name's Hook.

He's Captain Hook. All very compelling, but we've got to go with the original. Mohammed Ali's hero, Sugar Ray Robinson. I know what game he's playing there. That's just, I can't really complain, but you know what? It's obvious. I see what's going on here. He got the jab.

He got the jab? See what's going on. Yeah, but Eddie, he got nothing again. Nothing again. It's tough. Stuff happening. I don't quite understand what's going on it, if I'm honest with you. Yeah, I'm not scoring, but no, no, no.

One, John. Yeah, yeah. Growing businesses deal with the same problem, too many tools, too much back and forth, and not enough time. Odu helps bring it all together. It's an all-in-one business management platform, fully integrated from sales and accounting to inventory and marketing, so your team can spend less time chasing information and focus on growth.

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with a subscription to BBC Podcasts Premium on Apple Podcasts. You can also enjoy a range of our podcasts ad-free with an Amazon music subscription. All right, this is me. going first. Ruth? Yeah. Johnny, what on?

All right, to me. So we have two subjects or two categories that are left on the table. The upper cut and the body breaker, the body shots. I'm going to an upper cut. And I'm going to go and I am Mike Tyson. I'm going, I'm Mike Tyson for the upper cut. That's it. That is a good one.

Because when Mike Tyson for an upper cut, I don't think I've seen someone, and there's been guys that throw the up, look, I mean, some fantastic names. You guys might mention them. so I'm not going to do it for you. But I don't think I've seen someone that throws them with so much mean, intention to damage you. I mean, he spoke about wanting to shove someone's nose

up into their brain. That is a good one. Did I mean? And then when he did it as well, what Mike would do, he would pull your head down and then throw. And it's quite rare, actually, because Mike's really the person

that you think could be the person that suffers from getting uppercutte because he always goes down a lot, doesn't he? But he would land that shot. And there's a small guy coming in, the way he would land that shot. And he did something that was

rare, he would double and triple the upper cup. He's not supposed to do that. He would do, dum, dum, dumb, dumb, with the uppercut. So for me, I'm going for I and Mike Tyson as I think the number one thrower of maybe the best shot in boxing, the uppercut, which when thrown correctly is just a beautiful shot. I'm Mike Tyson.

Whatever. Wow. Okay. It's not part of the game, is it. There was two fighters I really struggled to do with me. I know, I know. I'm going. Big George Foreman.

Why? The reason why I have to keep going back to Big George is because nobody threw uppercuts like this man and I think people think, oh, he's just this big, lumbering, massive guy who's a massive puncher. No, no, no, this man had unbelievable IQ. He had this weird way, he'd walk across the ring, like storm across the ring like he's going out through shopping

and then whip this hook in. And he was just as good with the left and the right. unbelievable fighter. He'd also do this thing where he'd throw away the right hand, barely touch you with it, and then whip the uppercut in. And he'd also do this other thing

where his uppercut and his body shot would look exactly, or it would start exactly the same. So he'd trick you. I'm going to hit you with this. No, I'm going to hit you of this. I'll just think uppercuts. You've got to think George.

You've got to think Big George. Did you get this question before, you got here? You know the thing about Big George's well, by the way. Yeah. You've got my second choice if you want it. The other thing about Big George as well, let's not forget.

If we're talking about sort of stopping some of an uppercut. I mean, Joe Fraser done a bunny jump. He landed the upper cut. Off his feet. And you're talking about one of the great several ways of all time. Of all time. That's where we did it to. That's who we did it to.

So look, I think that's a very good thing. I don't think it's as good as Mike. Yeah. But I'll give you credit for it. I don't think it's good as Mike. Another rated one, Lenitz Lewis. Is this what you're going? I'm going on Lenet's Lewis.

Didn't he stopped Mike with the uppercat. Wow. That was old Mike. It doesn't count. Old Mike. So I'm going Lenitz Lewis. Now, you look at Lennox Lewis for a tall guy. He's a big unit, and he had excellent boxing IQ.

But when he got the whole car, even from up close, for a tall guy, how he managed to bring the uppercut in, was mad. Boxer Tarley, nearly took his head off, nearly ripped his eye out, took out Shannon Briggs, battered him, and Shannon Briggs was giving the handfire, took out Razor Ruddick, raised the right and over the top, kept bringing up up the middle. He didn't know where it was coming from. We can go on and on, grand, everybody.

So when he led that shot goal, you'd see it, and you seem setting up. And he'd land nine times out of ten. Even though his jab was great, he'd move him great. He's a big unit, so it wasn't easy thing to do. But for a big guy to fight really well on the inside and beat Mike Tyson, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, the band of hollow fields and beat these danger men, like Razor Rugs,

up close and personal and at a distance, he had variety. You know who I was going to mention? And I was looking down on my nose. And I didn't, you're right, I didn't. So mine is Mike, bank Mike. Paveckin, just because of the knockout of Adilum White. is I think the best upper cut I've ever seen in my life, technically. Because he looks like he just tapped Dylan White.

Yeah. All the others we're talking about, I really... Dylan thought he had his covers. And he just swam, boom. Yeah. And the way Dylan just went out. Yeah.

I remember thinking, technically, that is the best upper cut I've ever seen. It wasn't consistent with it in his career. It wasn't a thing. It wasn't a thing. Which made it even better because the other guy is, you kind of just expect it to happen because that's what they do. When someone throws it and you're like, Where's that come from?

I think that's the best uppercut I've ever seen. Anyone else? Marquez, unbelievable. I really were close to picking Marquez just because he threw... One Manuel. Because he threw his uppercut almost like it was a jab.

Like where most people, like uppercut is just a nice add-on. It's a power shot that we throw every now and then when the opening's there. No, no, no. This guy threw it all the time constantly. And he had this mad way of when he was fighting South Forres, the South Pole would throw a jab. He'd managed to slip on the outside and then squeeze that uppercut

into a place that no one else would be able to get it. So I think Marquez, unbelievable and obviously unbelievable combination puncher, unbelievable counter puncher, and he wouldn't have been able to do that if his uppercuts weren't as effective. But George was a freak. 46-year-old heavyweight champion.

Yeah. 10 years off and comes back. Giovante Tank Davis? I mean, it's a sleeper. A classic shot, yes. I remember. You're talking sleepy. Mini Mike Tyson.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Again, when he throws it, he's throwing it with, I want to hurt you. Romero, he took out. Romero, he took out as well. Gamboa, he took out with an uppercut as well. So we're talking to someone that's actually knocked people out with uppercuts. Yeah, I can't. I get that, I get that.

I can't. I think it's Mike. Okay, and I'm sticking to Lennox. You're sticking to the old property. Big George. Big George. Big George. Okay, come on, Tom.

But before we go to you, Tom, at home, come on, let's get serious now, people at home. Mike Tyson, George Foreman, and Lennox Lewis. Go and watch your boxing. Watch the Jerry Cooney knock out. Watch the Jerry Cooney knock out. Just remember, my man knocked out his man and airman. Those who learn off of my man. We've got a bit of a pattern here.

Go and watch you threw the upper cut the fastest and slammed people's noses into there. You know what. Listen. Tom. Words of wisdom. Tom, come on Tom. Thomas.

Tom. George Foreman. We've all gone heavy weights, which is quite rare. Do you watch right, Tom. We've all gone heavy weights. George Foreman, Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis. January 1990. That's Mike then.

Big George Foreman versus Jerry Cooney. Oh, dear. Are you getting George, really? Big George. Have you seen that? Lift Joe Frazier off his feet. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But are we talking the Ken Lawton fight like a ragdoll?

Who does that to do? I understand. I understand this. Yeah, I hear that. It's a good shout, but I just don't get my mind. That uppercat against Cooney is lethal. in six foot six guys. You know,

he's doing, oh, you can to them because you know how he's got to get it. He's really having to reach up to the sky.

No? No. I've got, that knock out of Cooney is lethal. Cool. You're not doing bad. Oh,

you are. So that's 2.1. No. 2.1. No. I'm not. You're not playing. I'm not playing.

I'm just the chairman of the board. All right. There's one segment left and I, you know, I think it's the hardest one, if I'm honest to, because I think there are so many people that throw the body

shots well. And it's, oh, you got a story. Oh, he's always got a story. Don't let it fool you of the stories, guys. Yeah, yeah, he's got a story. Always have a story, don't he? So we are now doing the body breakers. Roof, it's you, that goes first.

Thank God. Because... It goes first. Who you're picking, Ruth? Remember the names that are off the table already, some big names, some good body punches off the table as well. Some really good body punches. Some good body punches.

But there are some big ones left. Okay. In my opinion, one of the most underrated fighters to ever live. Oh, no, don't you dare. Go on. Mike, the body snatcher, McCallum. Oh my God, that should have gone. That's what I was going to say.

Was you going to go, Mike McCallery? Yeah. That's my story. Automatically, you can still tell the story. You can still tell the story. You can still tell the story because I'm just going to endorse you. Listen, unbelievable. So are so underrated, trained by Eddie Futch, one of the most legendary trainers of all time.

And you can see it because he's got this throwback style about him. Nothing is done for no reason. It's all done for a reason. Every millimetre, every movement is done for a reason. And he had this mad system, mad system. Obviously, most fighters use their hands and their arms to cover up head and body, right? But he had this weird thing where he would only use the parry to defend the jab. But other than that, his arms and hands were only used to defend the body.

If you look, all the other head shots is all head movement. Interesting. But with his opponents, he would use the fact that they used their hands and their arms to defend head and body against them. because he'd make him cover up upstairs, go downstairs, make him cover up downstairs, go upstairs. But watch him jab, slip to his right, go to the body on the right-hand side. Watch him set him up with straight shots

so that they'd hate their hands up into the middle and he'd find the gap around the outside. Watch him jab and slips the... Honestly, it's like... It's like boxing porn watching his body shots. Interesting. I know BBC. Interesting use of words.

But for real, like, no, guys... I don't even know what you're talking about, honestly. No, I know you're talking about. Just watch... Just watch. Just watch. You know, if someone has the nickname Body Snatcher, then almost by default.

They got it for a reason, right? Yeah, by default, you've been given that. Do you know what I mean? Now some fighters give themselves names like the butt. I'm not going to mention it. This category was the only one where I really wanted my number one pick. Because I was going to give you a story, but that endorses one. No, no, no.

Go on. No, after we've decided who's won. One second. Have we decided? No, yeah. I'm not a big one yet. Okay. Okay.

So think quick, Johnny. I'm going for James Lightsout Tony. James Tony I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry so James Tony

up close and personal distance any size weight fly through from middle weight up to heavy weight this guy could work really one and inside

working into the body bring them from the ribs up to the solar plexus he was on fire and he'd be stood in the pocket when he did it he'd be faster

he'd be sharp he'd be strong he'd be like an illusion right in front of you this guy you looked at him I can remember when he'd be my hero

at the time That was Michael Nunn, Michael Secondton on Southport from Highwood. We should have a show just on the names. That is one of the best ones. Michael Secondon, Nudge is one of the bestness. Michael Nun, he was IBF champion and I rated him massively.

He got in there against James Tony's cocky little fellow. And James Tony kept walking him down, kept bringing it to the body, bring it to the body. Michael Null pulled back, thought he was out of a range. Wipped it up to the head, but chopped him with a body shot. And you don't know which home the most, the body shot on the chin. So I think

James Tony would be a perfect front runner I joked with him when he was cruise weight champion and said you know how to beat you and he politely said I kick your ass but he did fancy himself

even now he does but he was a great great technician when it came to body shots I think James Tony is one of the greatest fighters of all time I agree I think he's fantastic

and you mentioned going up to heavyweight beating Evander Holyfield which is crazy when you think of who Evander Hollifield was So it's a great shout. It's a great shout. The only issue with both of yours, yours is a good shout as well.

And look, I commend both of you. I commend both you for being here with me. If I'm honestly, it's not an easy task. I was, I was going to go Irish Mickey Ward. I was going to go there. I was going to go there. Wrong room. But instead, instead, I'm going to go for someone.

You said that your guy was underrated. I think this guy is rated. Alexis Aguero from Yicaragua. That's such a good. I'm telling you now, yeah. Yep. Very good. People entered the ring in fear of getting a body attack. They came to the ring like that, almost already crouching like, we know what's coming in here, we can protect it. And there's nothing you can do.

There is, and this is a bit of homework for you people at home, if you want to learn about the guy I'm talking about, there is a YouTube video entitled Root to the Body, just on him. Because that's all he wanted to go for was to attack your body. And then because people are so fearful of the body attack, They left the top open and he would smash you on there as well. And you just mentioned James Tony's accolades. Aguero is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, one of the best featherweights of all time,

one of the best lightweight of all time. Over 80 pro fights, only, I think, eight defeats, but stopped most of his opponents to the body. Was it the thin... They used to call him... The thin man. And then they called him the gentleman of boxing as well. I think we should change the rule in this game

because it's very easy if you all to do your homework and research. You need stuff off the top of your head. I had to just switch because she stole mine. You were there. I weren't there. Well, but carry on. I think this is the tough one. I was there. Carry on.

I think this is a tough one because I think all three, all three are good. James Tony. Right. Come on. Mike McCulley. You know what? You two have actually picked two of my favourite fighters at all time. Aguil, unbelievable shout. Such a good shout.

But the body, it's his name. The body snatcher. His whole style was built around. I didn't understand anybody. His whole style was built around going to the body. Snatcher. He had snatched on his body. No, come on, guys.

You can have a nickname. Everyone can have nicknames. Sorry, Delia. Everyone can have nicknames, right? But it doesn't mean much, does it? Doesn't mean much. I think my guy, again, he's got a whole catalogue of videos

talking about how he gets to the bossy. So is my guy. Yeah, my guy still thinks he can fight now. And you know what? But let's make a decision and I'll tell my story. If you watch the two fights, with them too.

Who goes better to the body? Let me just say something. So, I'm going to say, so... No, sorry, one second. My guy would go to the body, left and right, by the way. As well. Like, he pivots off both to the point where you didn't know of his orthodox of Southport,

power him both. And you know what he did as well? He went right hand straight down the middle to the body. A lot of your guys are going hooks to the body. My guy was going straight down... My man could do it in the pocket. He didn't have to step up and give himself range. No, no. He did it in the pocket

when he started to put on weight because he didn't want to move. Either way, he was. So little fact, still take you out to the body. Still take you out of the body. So Mike McCallum, I remember when he boxed.

I remember coming to London and Michael Watson was training to fight Mike McAllen. And Mike McCallum with Brendan, we watched Michael Watson train and he was training with, I can't remember the guy who was training with. But Michael Watson was training hard. He looked on point.

Mike McCallon absolutely chopped him to bits. And Brendan said, he's had a lot of damage there. Mark McCallan is dangerous. The Mark McCallum came to fighting Harold Bomb and Graham. Harold Graham, one of the best fighters we've had to never win a world title. This guy, they feared him. He got sacked from being Marvin Haglis sparring partner.

Roberto Durand didn't want to know him, didn't want to touch him, and people wouldn't give Errol the credit. So Harold was fighting Mark McCallum. Mark McCallum knew this was a tough fight, and you can speak to Mike about this afterwards, if you ever meet him. And Mike at the press conference needed Harold to stand up close and personal with him. because if Aero got close if he couldn't get closer

if he couldn't get closer and Herald was going to beat him every day the week and Mike said you just make sure you don't run if you don't run your mind got into his ego and I was thinking you know what do all think I'm a fancy down house show him

Harold was a brilliant fighter but when Mike McCallum talked to him standing up close in person with him he absolutely chopped he beat Errol by one point and that's because Errol lost a point was at a point deducted but Mike McCallan talked him into

fighting his fight up close and person of this guy knew what he was doing. If he could do that to Harold Graham, one of the best fighters I've ever known, seen personally, he's a clever, clever guy. But ignore that. And there we have it. Ignore that bit.

Wait on. Ignore that bit. Yeah, that wasn't a story about body punching. It was. Just to be clear. It wasn't about body putting. I'm just saying about the genius of the man's brain. Yeah, it wasn't a story about body punching.

At home, who won that one? Honestly, think about this as well, by the way. Is it Alexis Aguio? You've gone Mike McCullum, you've gone James Tony. Tom. I've got a question first for Johnny. If you fought James, Tony, what's your strategy for the fight? Speed, excellent jab and ring movement.

Don't let him walk you down, keep an arm, an arm's distant. Don't get up close and personal. But he was just too, he'd ride the shots. So when you ride the shots, if you're going to throw a dad, double it up, double it up quick and then move, move angles. Good job. And talk, excuse my friends, talk shit to him. Get him angry.

Would you have a close to fighting him? I was close to fighting Thomas Ernst. Yeah, no. You could be number one for every single one. I was at a dinner once. And Thomas Ernst, God, I keep telling the stories. Thomas Ernst went this dinner and we're sat down together. So I'm just making conversation.

What titles did you have? And he said, oh, and there was Cruiserweight Champion from 2000, WBO Cruzeweight champion from 2003 to 2006. I'm like, no, you wasn't. Yeah, I was. I said, I was W.W. Cruise Rect Champion. My man's argument being my belt. And his agent was sat next to him, and he said to his agent, tell him.

I was WBO cruise weight champion. He said, no, you're I-B-O cruise weight champion. So he got mad. His ego kicked in. He said, why don't me and you have a fight, but we'll call it an exhibition fight? Are you up for that? Now, my ego's like, Thomas Ernst, number one, you're old. So I do you.

Number two, you're old. If you do me, I'm finished. So I said, all right, let's do it. So I went back and told Brendan, you know, Thomas Ernst wants us to fight. What are you saying, Bren? And Brendan said, Johnny, listen to me. And I thought, oh, God, here we go. said, if you fight Thomas Serns and you hurt him, it's a lose, lose.

If you fight Thomas Serns and he hurts you, it's a lose. So he said, you just don't need it. I'm like, what are you saying, Brendan? I'd beat him. I said, you course should beat him, Johnny, but let it go. And so that was the closest I got to fight Thomas Serns could fight, think he could fight to the end of last. You know what I want to do very quickly before we decide.

Go on, no, Tom, Tom, wait, to go on. Who won that round, Tom? This is tough. Be logical, Tom. Tom, like, no bias, be logical, just... Do you know what? I'm going to give you some love, because you went third, and you pulled a good name out. Alexis Aguilar.

Oh my gosh. That means she's won. It does. All right. Quick maths. No, no, no. This is, this is, Adé, the chairman of the board. You had a bonus round, very quickly, bonus round.

The right hand, yeah? Hmm. Who do you think? This is just random. You've been watching a guy here for too long. Too much. Who do you think really has the biggest right hand in the sport?

Thomas Serns, look at a fight when he boxed, Roberto Rans, set him up with a jab, jab to row, boom, took him out. Look at what he did with most of his opponents when he let that right hand go. It was lights out, it wasn't stagger, it was, boom, lights out, stories over. Thomas Serns every day of the week. And remember, he was involved in the best three minutes,

three rounds you've ever seen ever. Thomas Sons. It's hard to argue. When you think of that Robert Durand, it's hard to argue of that. So scary. But the knockout of Alexis over Kevin Rooney.

Look at this one. The man. You might as well dig a hole for the man. Did you tell her this before? No, I didn't know. She's clearly. This was just a bonus realm.

I just feel there's like some kind of conspiracy going on. I feel like we're doing this segment in injustice if we don't speak about Ganadi Golovkin when we're talking about punches. Oh.

Wait, it's jabber. I nearly, yeah. He'd hit you on the top of the head. He might be number one on the list. He might be number four in the single other list, isn't it? I mean, he's that guy who might not best jab but he's definitely not before.

But Marvin, how, I really wanted to pick Marvin for the jab. Terrence Crawford, if you're, if you're a Terrence Crawford fan, start thanking Marvin Hagler. Yeah, but we're talking right hands. Yeah, but his right hand jab was unbelievable. It was a right-handed Southpour. Why? What'd you get up from, man?

No, but she's right about Marvin there, isn't she? Yeah, Marvin was. The body shots. The horse. Marvin actually wasn't a natural Southpour. He was actually an orthodox fight when he first started, then switched Salvation. And he did it with these, one of the few switch hitters that people narrated so bad. When he boxed Heggler, he boxed both Southpour and Orthodox, and people still don't realize it. And that's why when he knocked Hagler out, he was boxing him Orthodox, then chased after him as a South Pole.

Wait, wait. When Marvin was boxing Tommy. Tommy, yeah, sorry. Yeah, wait. And he'd be chased after him orthodox, hurt him, and Switched Southpour, took him out. And Tommy's like, where did that come from? Brilliant switch hitter. And you didn't even know what, realize it.

Tom. Across the board, the winner is Ruth. Fair. I'm not going to get any way back. I'm not going to get any way back. The question. So did you. That's Johnny.

That's basically Johnny everyone admitting that he didn't study. But he doesn't need to study because he's Johnny Sir Nelson. Johnny Nelson. Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. There you go. That's it.

In the books, the best punch or the, greatest punch in boxing world, onto Ruth, Raper, who according to Tom won, Johnny, remember what I said, it's the tape. It's the take it, but it's the taken part. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. You're a former crudewit champion of the world. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. But it's to you guys at home, who won? Let us know who won this, and we'll see you on the next one. Get more with BBC podcasts, wherever you listen. Be the first to listen to your favorite shows, like evil genius, good, bad billionaire, and you're dead to me. With a subscription

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