Renowned trainer Angelo Dundee, best known for shaping the careers of legendary boxers such as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, left a lasting legacy in the boxing world. As one of the most celebrated trainers in history, Dundee’s expertise was sought after by numerous champions. However, his response to the question of which fighter he believed had the hardest punch came as a surprise to many.
Dundee’s journey in boxing began during World War II, where he first stepped into the ring’s corner at United States Air Force boxing tournaments. His career took off when he joined forces with his brother, Chris Dundee, at the iconic Fifth Street Gym in Florida. Over the years, he trained a remarkable total of 16 world champions, including names like George Foreman and Jimmy Ellis. His achievements earned him a well-deserved place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.
In a recently uncovered interview with The Ring magazine, Dundee’s choice for the hardest puncher he ever worked with was not a storied champion like Ali or Foreman. Instead, he pointed to Cuba’s Florentino Fernandez, a fighter who, despite never winning a world title, left an indelible mark for his punching power.
Dundee described Fernandez as “the best puncher out of Cuba,” highlighting the fighter’s formidable left hook, which he referred to as “murder.” Notably, Fernandez infamously broke Gene Fullmer’s forearm with one of his powerful punches during their middleweight title fight.
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Fernandez’s career, which spanned from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, concluded with a record of 50 wins, 16 losses, and 1 draw, including 43 knockouts. Although he fell short in his only world title attempt against Fullmer in 1961, his punching ability and tenacity left a lasting impression on those who witnessed him in the ring. He passed away in 2013, but his legacy as a fearsome puncher endures, reminding fans and athletes alike that sometimes, greatness is defined not just by titles, but also by raw talent and power.
