Are you using the "total control punch" method to throw? Dont use the "A" "X" etc. buttons, use the right stick to thorw yourpunches, you kinda do clockwise and counter clockwise and such to throw punches. Thats how to throw hard. I got used to it from FN2 for the Xbox so thats how I know how to...
the animation is soooooooooo smooth, not jerky nor unrealistic at all. This shot up to my #1 must have game, more so than GOW or Oblivion, it's that damn goo - create a boxer, all the legends, plus online - ohhh baby!