Chin Question

The short answer is maybe, which requires a longer explanation: When we are talking about your "chin", in reality we are talking about your brain. A knockout in reality is caused by a concussion where the head is violently and suddenly shifted by a force thereby "snapping" your brain against your skull. People have called it having a good chin because a blow to it rather than other areas of your head is more likely to cause that motion. Your brain is protected by among other things a liquid called intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). As found by the International Journal of Sports Medicine, this fluid is reduced by dehydration, a common effect of someone trying to make weight. So, in theory if you are dehydrated you are more susceptible to a "knockout". The problem is researchers can't agree how long this condition lasts, even if you are properly hydrated. The other point is boxers tend to put water-weight back on after a weigh-in, thus possibly negating the theory that your "KO" was the result of loosing weight. Therefore, while not being properly hydrated may cause you to be more susceptible to a KO, it is also just as likely you simply needed to learn to keep those hands up at all times. On a side note there are two things you can do to help protect yourself against a knockout (other than obviously having a good defense): 1. Keep yourself hydrated, both during training and the actual fight. This not only will help keep you mentally aware but could help give your brain extra protection. Also, a drink high in electrolytes is often better than just water. 2. Strengthen your neck muscles, as they are a major factor in preventing the "whipping" motion of your head that some punches can cause.

Draining yourself does hurt your ability to take a punch. I do think some poeple abuse that excuse though. If Cotto can take Zab's shots next week then he is the poster boy for this excuse because everyone thought he had a weak chin at 140.

Conditioning is what really attributes to your "chin". When you can't get enough oxygen due to lack of conditioning to your brain, when you get punched, it effects it greatly. That's why some people with weaker "chins" though condition properly can recover quickly because they have a greater oxygen flow to the brain. This obviously goes hand in hand with weigh gain/reduction based on how you put or take off that weight. Quick example would be if your trying to lose weight and you have to kill yourself just to lose the weight rather than properly condition it off, it's like, the weight is gone but your body hasn't adapt to it. Thus your brain is still deprived of oxygen because you had to kill yourself to drop that weight rather than properly remove it.

yes as the brain and vital organs are damaged to make weight. 1 day isnt enough to repair the damage. your 'chin' is therefore weak rather your brain. i always figured it did somewhat, but i wasnt quite sure how. good lookin out. thanx

Its just an excuse.. Some people have great Chins.. some less than great.. But it has less to do with Chin.. and Much more to do with getting caught clean.. Or going forward.. and most importanly if you dont see it coming.. Instead of saying this guy has a shit chin.. why Not say.. WOW that guy landed a Nice fucking punch.. everybody has to be so negative all the time..

Yeah I say it can if your not at full strength it stands to reason your chins not gonna be at full strength.

now, i know everybody has heard of the weight excuse for losing. I've heard fighters after losing by knockout, say that they lost because of the weight. and i've heard ppl say that a fighters chin should be better now since they moved up and dont have to kill themselves to make weight. is all this really true? can goin up weight im prove ur weight? can draining weight effect ur chin in a negative way? yes as the brain and vital organs are damaged to make weight. 1 day isnt enough to repair the damage. your 'chin' is therefore weak rather your brain.