Michael Moorer, the first southpaw to win a world heavyweight title, has opened up about the hardest punchers he faced during his 20-year boxing career. The former champion, who fought notable opponents like George Foreman and Evander Holyfield, shared his experiences with some of boxing's heaviest hitters.
Moorer's career was filled with impressive achievements. He won world titles in both the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, joining an exclusive club of only four men to accomplish this feat. His notable victories include wins over Bert Cooper, Leslie Stewart, and Evander Holyfield.
In 1994, Moorer reached the pinnacle of his career when he defeated Evander Holyfield to claim the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. However, his first title defense later that year ended in a knockout loss to George Foreman, who became the oldest heavyweight champion at 45.
Despite this setback, Moorer bounced back and regained the IBF heavyweight belt in 1996. He later faced Holyfield in a rematch for the vacant WBA title, but the fight was stopped by the ringside doctor after Moorer suffered five knockdowns.
When asked about the hardest puncher he faced, Moorer's answer might surprise some fans. In an interview with Ring Magazine, he singled out David Tua as the hardest hitter he encountered. Moorer explained:
"There was a lot of big punchers. Francois Botha hit hard. Foreman hit hard – at that time he caught me with a good punch. Holyfield hit hard. Anyone, if they get hit the right way, will go. Tua knew how to deliver the power, being more flatfooted than being on his toes and being that he kept a fist. Most boxers keep their hands open, and he knew the way he came in – short, stocky – and he had a good chin, but he could do the hitting as well."
Moorer's assessment of Tua's power was proven in their 2002 fight, where the Samoan-New Zealand heavyweight knocked out Moorer within 30 seconds.
Tua, known as one of the hardest punchers to never win a world title, had an impressive career despite falling short in his title shot against Lennox Lewis. His notable wins include victories over Hasim Rahman and John Ruiz, in addition to his quick knockout of Moorer.
Moorer's reflections offer a unique insight into the world of heavyweight boxing, highlighting the impact of raw power in the sport's highest weight class. His experiences with fighters like Tua, Foreman, and Holyfield underscore the diverse challenges faced by top-level boxers throughout their careers.
