Stanley Weston, former Ring Magazine publisher has compiled the list below. It's in no particular order:

Joe Grim: Unquestionably the most durable fighter who ever lived. Though only a middleweight, he fought the top heavyweights of his era, including Jack Johnson and Bob Fitzsimmons, neither of whom could knock him out.

Ad Wolgast: Only 5'4¼", 133 pounds, and usually undertrained, he appeared to be encased in cement as thunderous blows would bounce harmlessly off his head. Several opponents broke their hands on his skull.

Battling Nelson: Nelson prepped for his ring career by engaging in headbutting contests. His nickname of "The Durable Dane" was perfectly suited. He thrived on punishment, and what was most remarkable about him was that the more he was battered, the more aggressive and stronger he became.

Barney Ross: His superb boxing skills overshadowed his ruggedness. In 81 pro fights, he was never stopped, and never even knocked off his feet. And he fought some real hitters, like Jimmy McLarnin, Billy Petrolle and Ceferino Garcia.

Jack Dempsey: Those two ferocious rounds with Luis Firpo proved beyond a doubt that "The Manassa Mauler" rates among the greatest shock-absorbers of all time. Only once was he stopped, early in his career by Jim Flynn.

Jake LaMotta: During their six-fight grudge series, Sugar Ray Robinson was unable to drop "The Raging Bull." Most of LaMotta's foes punched themselves into exhaustion against what became known as "The Immovable Object." Although LaMotta was stopped four times during his 13-year career, only Danny Nardico managed to knock him off his feet.

Carmen Basilio: What he lacked in boxing skill, Basilio more than made up with raw guts and an iron jaw. When hurt, he would stick out his chin, spread his feet wide apart. and defy an opponent to cut him down. Only Gene Fullmer stopped him.

George Chuvalo: It took murderous punchers like Joe Frazier and George Foreman to stop the rock-like Canadian. If they paid off on durability alone, Chuvalo would surely have been champion. The Ring founder Nat Fleischer called Chuvalo the toughest fighter he had seen in more than half-a-century of covering boxing.

Jim Jeffries: Disregard his historic bout with Jack Johnson in 1910, when he fell more from exhaustion than blows. "Jeff" was knockout-proof and indestructible. From the standpoint of brute strenght, he was the strongest heavyweight champion of all.

Marvin Hagler: The first round of the Hearns fight is all the evidence needed. Hagler fought all the hardest 160-pound hitters, from Briscoe and Hart to Roldan and Mugabi, and was never legitimately dropped (Roldan was credited with a knockdown, but Hagler actually slipped).


It's a fine list. Thoughts?

couldn't make the list better, very good list and also impartial

Great list, but I'd have had Marciano ahead of Chuvalo. Heres some other guys with amazing chins:

A guy named Muhammad Ali!
A guy called Sugar Ray Robinson!
Larry Holmes
Wayne McCullough
Ray Leonard
Steve Collins
Chris Eubank
Randall Tex Cobb
George Foreman
Gene Tunney
Floyd Mayweather
Evander Holyfield

Great list, but I'd have had Marciano ahead of Chuvalo. Heres some other guys with amazing chins:

A guy named Muhammad Ali!
A guy called Sugar Ray Robinson!
Larry Holmes
Wayne McCullough
Ray Leonard
Steve Collins
Chris Eubank
Randall Tex Cobb
George Foreman
Gene Tunney
Floyd Mayweather
Evander Holyfield

Oliver McCall never ever been on the floor as a professional, amateur or in sparring.

Mike Tyson had a great chin as did Jerry Quarry

Oliver McCall!!! How could I forget him Sonnybox? Easily one of the best chins of all time.

I totally agree about Mike Tyson's chin. I suppose the youngsters on the site who have only seen him KO'd by Holyfield, Lewis and Williams when well past his prime will use those fights as examples of Mike's lack of punch resistance. NO WAY! You only have to see him shrug off Bruno's and Ruddock's hardest punches to know that he could really hold a good shot.

I've always thought that Mike's chin is the opposite of Frazier's. I know I may sound a bit stupid saying this but Mike could take an almighty whack early and show no effect, but be stopped late by a cumulation of blows, whereas Frazier could be stopped by a big punch early, but shake off moderate blows all night. Just an observation.

As for Jerry Quarry's chin, yea.....not bad, that said Ali seemed to stagger and obviously stop him in fight 2 and Ali's punch was never very heavy. That said Jerry stood up to Shavers so hell! I'd always favour Foreman to KO Jerry though.

Oliver McCall!!! How could I forget him Sonnybox? Easily one of the best chins of all time.

I totally agree about Mike Tyson's chin. I suppose the youngsters on the site who have only seen him KO'd by Holyfield, Lewis and Williams when well past his prime will use those fights as examples of Mike's lack of punch resistance. NO WAY! You only have to see him shrug off Bruno's and Ruddock's hardest punches to know that he could really hold a good shot.

I've always thought that Mike's chin is the opposite of Frazier's. I know I may sound a bit stupid saying this but Mike could take an almighty whack early and show no effect, but be stopped late by a cumulation of blows, whereas Frazier could be stopped by a big punch early, but shake off moderate blows all night. Just an observation.

As for Jerry Quarry's chin, yea.....not bad, that said Ali seemed to stagger and obviously stop him in fight 2 and Ali's punch was never very heavy. That said Jerry stood up to Shavers so hell! I'd always favour Foreman to KO Jerry though.

Bloody computers^

1. Mike Gibbons 133 fights 0 KO's
2. Duilio Loi 126 fights 0 KO's
3. Billy Graham 126 fights 0 KO's
4. Packy McFarland 112 fights 0 KO's
5. Fidel LaBarba 84 fights 0 KO's
6. Tony Canzoneri 175 fights 1 KO
7. Pete Herman 143 fights 1 KO
8. Sammy Angott 131 fights 1 KO
9. Teddy Yarosz 128 fights 1 KO
10. Jack Dillon 252 fights 2 KO's

I'm surprised Ali didn't make it on that list...Not to be predictable, but he stood up to some of the hardest punchers in heavyweight history.

Yes, he was knocked down a few times, but was never KO'd.

I think watching the Shavers, Holmes, Foreman and Frazier fights would attest to this.

1. Mike Gibbons 133 fights 0 KO's
2. Duilio Loi 126 fights 0 KO's
3. Billy Graham 126 fights 0 KO's
4. Packy McFarland 112 fights 0 KO's
5. Fidel LaBarba 84 fights 0 KO's
6. Tony Canzoneri 175 fights 1 KO
7. Pete Herman 143 fights 1 KO
8. Sammy Angott 131 fights 1 KO
9. Teddy Yarosz 128 fights 1 KO
10. Jack Dillon 252 fights 2 KO's

Harry Greb was only stopped twice in 299 fights, and once was due to a broken arm.

I don't think Jack Dempsey has any business on the list. I don't think the Firpo fight proved anything positive. How long was he outside the ring again? And did he not need help to get back in?

Whoever said McCall was on the money. That guy to this day is KO proof. Also, I'd throw Gene Fullmer in the mix. Sure he got stopped twice, but after watching how, could you blame him?

were's ali and monzon? aswell as kid gavalin and panama al brwon? but it was a good list!

I don't think Jack Dempsey has any business on the list. I don't think the Firpo fight proved anything positive. How long was he outside the ring again? And did he not need help to get back in?

Whoever said McCall was on the money. That guy to this day is KO proof. Also, I'd throw Gene Fullmer in the mix. Sure he got stopped twice, but after watching how, could you blame him?

i also think dempseys chin is overrated!

I'm surprised Ali didn't make it on that list...Not to be predictable, but he stood up to some of the hardest punchers in heavyweight history.

Yes, he was knocked down a few times, but was never KO'd.

I think watching the Shavers, Holmes, Foreman and Frazier fights would attest to this.

Why Ali was left out is beyond me. Ali might have had the best chin of them all.

Harry Greb was only stopped twice in 299 fights, and once was due to a broken arm.

Surely Greb should have been there too.

No love for James Toney?

He had a chin made of pure granite that served him well from Middleweight all the way up to Heavyweight.

Harry Greb was only stopped twice in 299 fights, and once was due to a broken arm.
Thanks Jab.. Yes.... I knew there was at least one I'd left out.. Greb should be there 4 sure...
Seen some calls for Ali to, but we're talking the best of all time, not the last 50 years or so..
With regard to Dempsey... Wasn't he starched by Fireman Jimmy Flynn in less than a minute?....
Out cold for over 20 secs, so the story goes...

1. Mike Gibbons 133 fights 0 KO's
2. Duilio Loi 126 fights 0 KO's
3. Billy Graham 126 fights 0 KO's
4. Packy McFarland 112 fights 0 KO's
5. Fidel LaBarba 84 fights 0 KO's
6. Tony Canzoneri 175 fights 1 KO
7. Pete Herman 143 fights 1 KO
8. Sammy Angott 131 fights 1 KO
9. Teddy Yarosz 128 fights 1 KO
10. Jack Dillon 252 fights 2 KO's
That's quite a list there MM. Some of those fighters are unknowns to me I must admit. Surely they didn't all face world class opposition or........?

Thanks Jab.. Yes.... I knew there was at least one I'd left out.. Greb should be there 4 sure...
Seen some calls for Ali to, but we're talking the best of all time, not the last 50 years or so..
With regard to Dempsey... Wasn't he starched by Fireman Jimmy Flynn in less than a minute?....
Out cold for over 20 secs, so the story goes...
There are a fair few rumours that he dived in that one. Think Dempsey had a good chin but I wouldn't put him in the company that has been mentioned.

That's quite a list there MM. Some of those fighters are unknowns to me I must admit. Surely they didn't all face world class opposition or........?
In fact they are all former world champs and HOFFA's to boot..

There are a fair few rumours that he dived in that one. Think Dempsey had a good chin but I wouldn't put him in the company that has been mentioned.
Emmm... The dodgy 20's, & I wonder how many dived for him???...

In fact they are all former world champs and HOFFA's to boot..
Really?

In that case it would appear that Stanley Weston left out at least a couple of those guys.

Ali had a grat recovery powers but hed been dropped a few times and i think because of that he won't and probably shouldn't make that list.

a brilliant list by battling nelson, im just curious bat did you copy and paste that link from a different website or is that a list from your own boxing memory and knowledge?

of modern times i think toney, mcall, tua, DLH, monzon and hagler all deserve a mention

Thanks Jab.. Yes.... I knew there was at least one I'd left out.. Greb should be there 4 sure...
Seen some calls for Ali to, but we're talking the best of all time, not the last 50 years or so..
With regard to Dempsey... Wasn't he starched by Fireman Jimmy Flynn in less than a minute?....
Out cold for over 20 secs, so the story goes...

Muhammad Ali took the best punch of all the Heavyweight Champions.

There was acually a thread on here not long ago about that,and I believe EVERYBODY on this website picked Muhammad Ali.

What Heavyweight Champion do you think took the best punch?

BTW-Ali could also take the best "body punches" of all-time.

Emmm... The dodgy 20's, & I wonder how many dived for him???...

Now that's a good question.

Muhammad Ali took the best punch of all the Heavyweight Champions.

There was acually a thread on here not long ago about that,and I believe EVERYBODY on this website picked Muhammad Ali.

What Heavyweight Champion do you think took the best punch?

BTW-Ali could also take the best "body punches" of all-time.

As been said numerous times already, The Atomic Bull, Oliver McCall.

Now that's a good question.



As been said numerous times already, The Atomic Bull, Oliver McCall.

I will take Sonny Liston.

Obviously Ali and Marciano.

One good pick would be Gerald McClellan. He walked through all of Julian Jackson's punches, and that lad is considered to be the hardest pound for pound puncher of all time. The same thing occured against Benn and only a developing bloodclot in his brain could stop him.

Ali had a grat recovery powers but hed been dropped a few times and i think because of that he won't and probably shouldn't make that list.

a brilliant list by battling nelson, im just curious bat did you copy and paste that link from a different website or is that a list from your own boxing memory and knowledge?

of modern times i think toney, mcall, tua, DLH, monzon and hagler all deserve a mention
Battling Nelson was dropped several times in his career. More times than Ali and yet he's included. Ali should be there as well.

The list was copied from another site. As stated it's compiled by Stanley Weston and is from Ring Magazine. The article can be found here: http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Track/4980/greatestchins.htm

Ali's early knockdowns were results of him not being fully developed yet. He'd taken much harder shots later on without blinking so you can only really count the Frazier knockdown. And that one is known to be one of the most perfect punches ever landed and Ali just got up in 3 seconds.

Ali's early knockdowns were results of him not being fully developed yet. He'd taken much harder shots later on without blinking so you can only really count the Frazier knockdown. And that one is known to be one of the most perfect punches ever landed and Ali just got up in 3 seconds.
An 'undeveloped' 20 year old Battling Nelson fought Christy Williams in 1902 and was KD'ed 9 times. Williams was down 42 times though before hearing the 10-count in round 17. The 51 KD's is a record to this day.

Really?

In that case it would appear that Stanley Weston left out at least a couple of those guys.
Yes he did... I based the list on 10 world champs compiling 1410 fights with only 6 incoming KO's.. Pretty unbelievable when you think about the amount of leather thrown.. I wouldn't say it's 100% though.. For 2 reasons..
Firstly, there isn't any heavyweights on the list, & I think it's fair to say that it was they who took the hardest blows.. Ali has to be up there on the shots he absorbed from so many noted punchers, but he had no where near as many fights.. And also, I forgot Harry Greb who was stopped only twice in almost 300 bouts...
It could also be argued that 1 or 2 of them were defensive geniuses...

Just aslong as there are no mmGAY fighters mentioned then it's good enough to be honest.I don't know what it is with mmGAY does it attract glass jawed homo's or what? These guys just cannot take a punch,It's embarrassing for these so called fighters to be so mentally and physically weak

In fact they are all former world champs and HOFFA's to boot..
Not sure that Packy McFarland was a world champion Mickey.
Think a few ducked him plus he was most comfortable at Jnr Welter before suc a weight existed.
Great to see his name up though, he deserves some credit.
Think someone ought to get Southpaw or GreatA to dig up some stuff about him.
Think he was one of those fighters you couldn't hit with a handful of rice rather than granite jawed.

Stanley Weston, former Ring Magazine publisher has compiled the list below. It's in no particular order:

Joe Grim: Unquestionably the most durable fighter who ever lived. Though only a middleweight, he fought the top heavyweights of his era, including Jack Johnson and Bob Fitzsimmons, neither of whom could knock him out.

Ad Wolgast: Only 5'4¼", 133 pounds, and usually undertrained, he appeared to be encased in cement as thunderous blows would bounce harmlessly off his head. Several opponents broke their hands on his skull.

Battling Nelson: Nelson prepped for his ring career by engaging in headbutting contests. His nickname of "The Durable Dane" was perfectly suited. He thrived on punishment, and what was most remarkable about him was that the more he was battered, the more aggressive and stronger he became.

Barney Ross: His superb boxing skills overshadowed his ruggedness. In 81 pro fights, he was never stopped, and never even knocked off his feet. And he fought some real hitters, like Jimmy McLarnin, Billy Petrolle and Ceferino Garcia.

Jack Dempsey: Those two ferocious rounds with Luis Firpo proved beyond a doubt that "The Manassa Mauler" rates among the greatest shock-absorbers of all time. Only once was he stopped, early in his career by Jim Flynn.

Jake LaMotta: During their six-fight grudge series, Sugar Ray Robinson was unable to drop "The Raging Bull." Most of LaMotta's foes punched themselves into exhaustion against what became known as "The Immovable Object." Although LaMotta was stopped four times during his 13-year career, only Danny Nardico managed to knock him off his feet.

Carmen Basilio: What he lacked in boxing skill, Basilio more than made up with raw guts and an iron jaw. When hurt, he would stick out his chin, spread his feet wide apart. and defy an opponent to cut him down. Only Gene Fullmer stopped him.

George Chuvalo: It took murderous punchers like Joe Frazier and George Foreman to stop the rock-like Canadian. If they paid off on durability alone, Chuvalo would surely have been champion. The Ring founder Nat Fleischer called Chuvalo the toughest fighter he had seen in more than half-a-century of covering boxing.

Jim Jeffries: Disregard his historic bout with Jack Johnson in 1910, when he fell more from exhaustion than blows. "Jeff" was knockout-proof and indestructible. From the standpoint of brute strenght, he was the strongest heavyweight champion of all.

Marvin Hagler: The first round of the Hearns fight is all the evidence needed. Hagler fought all the hardest 160-pound hitters, from Briscoe and Hart to Roldan and Mugabi, and was never legitimately dropped (Roldan was credited with a knockdown, but Hagler actually slipped).


It's a fine list. Thoughts?

Muhammad Ali, randy Cobb and Evander Holyfield were three chins that were made of granite

ali had a great chin, because he fought against really hard punchers like frazier foreman and so on and was never knocked down

Not sure that Packy McFarland was a world champion Mickey.
Think a few ducked him plus he was most comfortable at Jnr Welter before suc a weight existed.
Great to see his name up though, he deserves some credit.
Think someone ought to get Southpaw or GreatA to dig up some stuff about him.
Think he was one of those fighters you couldn't hit with a handful of rice rather than granite jawed.
He fought Freddie Welsh for the lightweight title, which I thought he won, but I've just checked & the fight ended in a draw.. Thanks for pointing that out..
Had an incredible record to.. Well over 100 fights with only 1 defeat & a sprinkling of draws..

He fought Freddie Welsh for the lightweight title, which I thought he won, but I've just checked & the fight ended in a draw.. Thanks for pointing that out..
Had an incredible record to.. Well over 100 fights with only 1 defeat & a sprinkling of draws..
Yes he would probably have to be in the mix as one of the greatest never to win a title.
Without wishing to upset our esteemed thread starter, but didn't his namesake give Packy a fairly wide berth?

Yes he would probably have to be in the mix as one of the greatest never to win a title.
Without wishing to upset our esteemed thread starter, but didn't his namesake give Packy a fairly wide berth?
They fought in the same division at the same time, but I don't believe they fought one other.. I wouldn't know why though..

They fought in the same division at the same time, but I don't believe they fought one other.. I wouldn't know why though..
I don't think Battles would have been scared just think that McFarland had a habit of making fighters look bad

I don't think Battles would have been scared just think that McFarland had a habit of making fighters look bad
A bit like Herol Graham or Jim Driscoll.. And yes, Nelson would have definately taken him on.. It could have been that the smooth boxing McFarland was avoiding the rough & ready tactics of Nelson..

A bit like Herol Graham or Jim Driscoll.. And yes, Nelson would have definately taken him on.. It could have been that the smooth boxing McFarland was avoiding the rough & ready tactics of Nelson..
would never say Nelson was running scared as he would have fought a tiger but I have it in my mind that he was the one that wasn't keen.

Carl Froch.

Someone who fights like he does and relies 200% on how strong his chin is has to be ranked in the Top 10.

He got dropped against Taylor when he was hit around the back of the head disrupting his equilibrium.

Abraham's the only threat in the tournament, can't wait to see how he handles it.

When was this list compiled?

James Toney and Saoul Mamby deserve a mention.

James went all the way up to Heavyweight and fought some big hitters there. Never stopped and seldom ever hurt, James fought the best out there and took big punches from some of the top guys in the sport.

Mamby had a granite chin too.

All good.. i just miss Joe Frazier..

Carl Froch.

Someone who fights like he does and relies 200% on how strong his chin is has to be ranked in the Top 10.

He got dropped against Taylor when he was hit around the back of the head disrupting his equilibrium.

Abraham's the only threat in the tournament, can't wait to see how he handles it.

Crap.Froch deserves no mention here.He fought nobody that can really punch hard.

Taylor hasn't knocked no one out for 4-5 years and he put'em down.With a clean shot on the head not in the back as you said.Froch even said he didn't see it coming and that's why he went down.

Matthew Saad Muhammad had one of the best chins in the business, and I say that not because he is my idol, but because it's true. He could absorb enormous amounts of punishment and still came back and knocked out his opponents. Just look at the second Yaqui Lopez fight.

He was more vulnerable to body punches, but who isn't? Qawi made use of that when he stopped him twice.

James went all the way up to Heavyweight and fought some big hitters there. Never stopped and seldom ever hurt, James fought the best out there and took big punches from some of the top guys in the sport.

fat Toney deserves no such spot

All good.. i just miss Joe Frazier..

I hope that's some kind of sick joke

When was this list compiled?

James Toney and Saoul Mamby deserve a mention.

James went all the way up to Heavyweight and fought some big hitters there. Never stopped and seldom ever hurt, James fought the best out there and took big punches from some of the top guys in the sport.

Mamby had a granite chin too.
It's from Ring Magazine November 1990.

I still can't believe the amount of punishment Hagler absorbed from guys who could really bang without going down.

benny valgar had 240 bouts and was never knocked down!! much less koed. there are guys with 200 to 400 bouts who where only koed once or twice. so we never will know. most top guys are up there because they are sooo tough and are catchers, but are almost impossible to ko. nelson took incredble punchers dozens of times and kept coming forward. lamotta, jeffries, all the rest mentioned by the writer had a real tough chin reputation. dempseys up there cause he had a chin like a rock, was never koed- he threw the flynn fight, and took hard punches while coming in fast compunding the effect. there are so many however, especially many years ago when there were alot ,alot of pros and amatuers. survival of the toughest and the smartestes

James Toney got floored like 3 times by Sam Peter's jab.

thats a good list. but for me i got ali as number 1 chin of all time. this guy took shots from some of the biggest punches ever. toney is pretty damn tough as well.

Steve Collins should be on anybody's list. What about McCallum? He was never stopped, although he never was that easy to hit either.;) Eubank also had an iron chin. Margarito as well.

Greb, Ali, Gavalin, Panama Al Brown, and Monzon need to be on there.

The best of all time; Marion Wilson. Ali was probably the second best. Wilson though, he took feet planted, weight full behind the punch, haymakers from seriously hard punchers....none better.

The best of all time; Marion Wilson. Ali was probably the second best. Wilson though, he took feet planted, weight full behind the punch, haymakers from seriously hard punchers....none better.
Good call!.. Never KO'd... Probably lost 90% of his fights, but still managed to upset Ray Mercer (draw) & Corrie Sanders (win) along the way..

I always thought De La Hoya had an underrated chin. Hamed's chin is also very underrated.