IN A sport filled with controversy and subjectiveness, a knockout is what represents boxing most.

It’s what puts bums on seats, and fans engaged in the noble art.

Though “The Sweet Science”, executed by the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Muhammad Ali can be the purest form of boxing, it’s the knockouts that attract most attention.

Some of the sport’s most legendary figures gained recognition from the power in their fists, not the world titles, records or technical skill they possessed.

Here SunSport looks at ten of the biggest knockout artists in boxing history – fighters percentages are from the amount of knockouts in their wins. 

Edwin Valero – 27–0 (27) 100%

The only fighter on the list with a 100 per cent record, the Venezuelan had dynamite in his hands.

He remains the only WBC champion in the governing bodies history to win every fight in his career by knockout.

Valero also held WBA super-featherweight world title, before becoming lightweight champion and 19 first round KO’s in his career.

Tragically the South American committed suicide in jail after being arrested on suspicion of killing his wife and famously missed out on fighting Mayweather.

Valero was described as a violent person, who was involved in drugs, but his manager Jose Castillo maintained the boxer was murdered in prison, famously quoting, “He didn’t do it, they killed him”.

Deontay Wilder – 42–0–1 (41) 95%

WBC heavyweight champion Wilder went on a 32-fight run of knocking out every opponent he faced until he won the world title on points against Bermane Stiverne in early 2015.

Unfortunately for Stiverne he was smashed in one round when they rematched two years later, meaning The Bronze Bomber had claim to stopping every opponent he faced.

That was until he defended his crown against Brit Tyson Fury in a 2018 thriller, and many believed Wilder was outboxed and lucky to hold onto his belt after a draw.

But Fury was floored twice by the Alabama puncher, including a devastating round 12 knockdown, which they the Gypsy King somehow survived, proving Wilder is dangerous until the final bell.

Archie Moore – 186–23–10-1 (131) 59%

The longest reigning light-heavyweight champion of all time, Moore is only seven KO’s behind Billy Bird in the list of most recorded stoppages ever.

He also had 146 bouts fewer than Brit Bird, meaning his KO percentage was much higher at 59 per cent.

Moore had a 28-year career scoring 131 stoppages but was denied a world title shot for over ten years after being a victim of racism and was forced to fight on the road – leading to so many KO wins.

He turned to training fighters after his retirement, and coached Ali, having lost to him and under his former name Cassius Clay in 1962.

George Foreman – 76–5 (68) 89%

Foreman was one of the most feared fighters in the division – literally, with some so concerned of the damage he could cause Ali when they met in 1974 they did not support the fight.

Though “Big George” was beaten that night in Zaire, dubbed the famous “Rumble in The Jungle”.

However, the American still recorded 68 KO’s in 76 wins, with a ratio of 89 per cent.

His power was so fierce, at age 45 he became the oldest heavyweight champion ever, 20 years after losing his belt for the first time after he stopped Michael Moorer in 1994.

Vitali Klitschko 45–2 (41) 87%

The older of the Klitschko brothers, Vitali was only taken to points four times in his 45 wins earning a KO ratio of 87 per cent.

Unlike Wladimir, who was accused of winning with a boring style despite possessing huge power, Vitali will go down as the puncher of the family.

He is a three-time champion, and has the fifth-longest combined world championship reign in history at 2,735 days.

The Ukrainian great earned the nickname "Dr. Ironfist" because of his devastating power.

Earnie Shavers – 74–14–1 (68) 83%

Feared puncher Shavers goes down as one of the greatest KO kings of the heavyweight division.

Scoring 68 knockouts, including 23 in the first round, in his 74 wins the American held a stoppage ratio of 92 per cent.

Due to not winning a world title Shavers is overlooked in terms of his place in the list of greatest heavyweights of all time.

But he did box for world honours twice – losing to Ali and Larry Holmes – flooring the latter.

Sugar Ray Robinson – 173–19–6-2 (108) 53%

Considered by many as The Greatest of All Time “Sugar Ray” competed from lightweight all the way to light-heavyweight.

Along the way Robinson scored 108 KO’s but is actually recognised for the technical ability in his feet and hand speed.

But scoring 108 of his 173 wins inside the distance, the American great had a 53 per cent KO ratio, and ranked eighth in the list of most stoppages victories ever.

Robinson went on a 91-fight win streak from 1943 to 1951, with the power in his hands allowing him to end bouts early, and swiftly move on to the next fight.

Billy Bird – 260-73-20-3 (138) 38%

Though not scoring the highest amount of KO’s by percentage, British welterweight Bird has the most KO’s ever recorded.

Competing from 1920 to 1948 the Londoner had 138 stoppages in his 260 wins, fighting officially 256 times, but it’s believed he actually had MORE bouts.

Bird worked as a taxi driver when not in the ring, and died at age 52.

He never won a title of recognition, meaning his career as a fearsome puncher often goes under the radar.

Mike Tyson – 50–6-2 (44) 88%

Problems outside the ring led Tyson to inevitably not fulfil his potential – but his power could never be questioned.

He recorded 19 straight KO wins before becoming the youngest heavyweight champion ever, age 20, beating Trevor Berbick in 1986 after 28 fights.

Going on to score 44 of his 50 wins inside the distance, the American had a 88 per cent KO ratio.

Tyson was legendary not only for his crushing power but also his lightening fast hands, with his iconic "Peekaboo" style of crouching low before unloading hooks and uppercuts.

Naoya Inoue 19-0 (16) 84%

Pint-sized puncher Inoue, a three-weight champion, has the potential to go down as one of the most feared hitters in boxing history.

But at age 26, and 18 fights into his career the Japanese world champion is still showing the ability to rise through the divisions without losing his power.

Inoue has gone to decision just three times, and shown sickening force in his punches, most notably to the body.

Starting out at light-flyweight, “The Monster” now plans to challenge at featherweight, and his natural power means he can be at home with almost anyone around his weight.

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