Camacho or Chávez: Who had the better chin?

I've had this question on my mind for years and still have a tough time deciding. I know this might be seen my nationalistic fans but, keep it simple. I have been watching classic fights by both fighters and the question emerged. By the way, I mean how good their chins were while they were still world class fighters. Here's a small summary of their chin accomplishments. Macho Camacho Fights: 88 TKO'ed or KO'ed: Never Knocked down while world class fighter: 2 times (Reyes Cruz in 1988 and Oscar De La Hoya in 1997) Opposition: Rafael Limón, José Luis Ramírez, Cornelius Boza Edwards, Edwin Rosario, Howard Davis Jr., Ray Mancini, Vinny Pazienza, Greg Haugen, Julio Cesar Chávez, Félix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, SRL, Roberto Durán. Julio César Chávez Fights: 115 TKO'ed or KO'ed: 4 times Knocked down while world class fighter: 2 times (Frankie Randall in 1994 and Kostya Tszyu in 2000) Opposition: Mario Martínez, Roger Mayweather, Rocky Lockridge, Roger Mayweather, Juan Laporte, Rafael Limón, Edwin Rosario, José Luis Ramírez, Meldrick Taylor, Héctor Camacho, Greg Haugen, Frankie Randall, Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Angel González, Kostya Tszyu. Their quality of opposition is impressive for both and so is their record. What are your thoughts regarding their legendary chins?

Comments (15)

onetwopunch

I dont disagree but remember Camacho became gun shy and didnt engage nearly as much as he did early on. Chavez was still attacking like he was 26 years old and getting hit with a lot of bombs. Lets also not forget Chavez was no saint with drugs and alcohol lol. Its not like he was TKOd by Malignaggi type punchers either and this was late. I think at their heights, Chavez put his chin to much better use. Camacho kind of squandered it to some degree. I mean that in a way that he could have been more. He had the chin, skills and athleticism. But he didnt always fight like a fighter with a chin.[/QUOT I respect that, they both had great chins. I guess its hard to tell who actually had the better chin but they both took a hell of a shot, becuase of there contrastiing styles.

13y ago

ShoulderRoll

Chavez. You have to consider that he was a pressure fighter who didn't know how to take a backwards step. It's amazing how few times he was knocked down in his long career despite using that style. (and even then, the knockdowns mostly came when he was old and past his prime.) Camacho was a runner so he was hard to hit cleanly.

13y ago

NearHypnos

I hear you, They were to totally different fighters, Camacho was great back in the early 80's..by the mid 80's after all the drugs and his fight with Rosario he was never the same. Now his chin always held up. Chavez came foward with smart aggression, but once he started to loose his reflexes later in his career he got rocked and tkoed..that wasnt the case for Camacho his chin held up againts everyone he fought. I dont disagree but remember Camacho became gun shy and didnt engage nearly as much as he did early on. Chavez was still attacking like he was 26 years old and getting hit with a lot of bombs. Lets also not forget Chavez was no saint with drugs and alcohol lol. Its not like he was TKOd by Malignaggi type punchers either and this was late. I think at their heights, Chavez put his chin to much better use. Camacho kind of squandered it to some degree. I mean that in a way that he could have been more. He had the chin, skills and athleticism. But he didnt always fight like a fighter with a chin.

13y ago

NearHypnos

Woah... Phone double post since I was trying to correct typos. Sorry all.

13y ago

onetwopunch

Youre really pulling with your argument. :|... Chavez for me... I say this because I think Chavez believed in his more and had more heart (imo). Camacho was hurt before but he practically ran afterwards. Chavez was hurt and basically took damage for not running yrt his chin held up. I'll go with The chins maybe being about equal, with Chavez able to put it to better use. I hear you, They were to totally different fighters, Camacho was great back in the early 80's..by the mid 80's after all the drugs and his fight with Rosario he was never the same. Now his chin always held up. Chavez came foward with smart aggression, but once he started to loose his reflexes later in his career he got rocked and tkoed..that wasnt the case for Camacho his chin held up againts everyone he fought.

13y ago

NearHypnos

Agreed, But Camacho fought Rosario 1st. Chavez knew how to break fighters down and wasnt walking in like a Margirito just eating shots he walked in with head movement he knew how to roll with the punches when he was younger..kinda like Duran did. So he wasnt getting hit flush. Camacho had the better chin. Youre really pulling with your argument. :|... Chavez for me... I say this because I think Chavez believed in his more and had more heart (imo). Camacho was hurt before but he practically ran afterwards. Chavez was hurt and basically took damage for not running yrt his chin held up. I'll go with The chins maybe being about equal, with Chavez able to put it to better use.

13y ago

Exciterx30

I think the fact that Camacho was never knocked out is being overlooked here. It's not about getting hurt or not, it's about not going down and recovering to win the fight. Camacho was phenomenal in that regard. All in all, I think both have very good chins. I think they are pretty even although I may give a very slight edge to Camacho. Both are legendary still.

13y ago

onetwopunch

They both fought the very hard punching Rosario. Chavez Walked through Rosario's punches to score a KO. Camacho was badly hurt by Rosario and fought on the run the rest of the fight. Agreed, But Camacho fought Rosario 1st. Chavez knew how to break fighters down and wasnt walking in like a Margirito just eating shots he walked in with head movement he knew how to roll with the punches when he was younger..kinda like Duran did. So he wasnt getting hit flush. Camacho had the better chin.

13y ago

boliodogs

They both fought the very hard punching Rosario. Chavez Walked through Rosario's punches to score a KO. Camacho was badly hurt by Rosario and fought on the run the rest of the fight.

13y ago

The_Noose

I think Chavez. Just because he went forward, and Camacho went backwards. But then Chavez had a good defence, and didnt take that much punishment. Difficult to say.

13y ago

onetwopunch

Chavez had the better chin. Chavez was almost never hurt. Camacho was never stopped but he was badly hurt in some fights and would become defensive to the point of running. Chavez had a good defense but was a much more agressive fighter who was not afaid to get hit. Late in his career Chavez was knocked down a couple of times but he recovered quickly. Camacho had the better chin. Camacho fought Trinidad, Rosario and DLH. Chavez did fight Rosario and admitted that he never been hit so hard in his life. Camacho went 12 rounds with a prime DLH and Tito to guys who can bang for real.

13y ago

boliodogs

13y ago

onetwopunch

Camacho had the better chin, Camacho took shots from Rosario and Trinidad..And this was when Trinidad was knocking peoples heads off

13y ago

Exciterx30

I've seen a few votes but no comments. Maybe I should have not added the poll. Anyway, I voted both guys have legendary chins. I will not add any details because I already did in the original post.

13y ago

Exciterx30

I added a poll but don't just vote. Comment on who impresses you more and why.

13y ago