Better chin: Tyson or Holyfield?

[Mintcar923]

I believe both had tremendous chins but out of both rivals who do you think takes the cake? We are talking both iron chins in their prime!! The Tyson chin that took 'em from Ruddock and the Holyfield that took 'em from Foreman?!

[Barn]

It's close, Tyson had a monster chin back in the day which gets overlooked. Holyfield has always been rightfully praised for his chin.

In terms of just taking shots I think it's even.

[Sugarj]

Both great chins, both guys could absorb monster shots. I've voted Holyfield by a whisker, but its strange........Tyson could possibly take a harder shot early on in a fight. I've never seen Tyson rocked early on in a fight (unless you count round four of the William's fight!!!).....but Holyfield certainly was rocked early on in fights.

The funny thing is, Holyfield could take sickening punches late into a fight.....but Tyson could be stopped late. It might have been more of a stamina issue for Tyson than an actual chin issue.

That said, when they both met first time it was (and probably still is!!) considered that Tyson was by far the harder puncher of the two. However, Holyfield seemed to absorb Tyson's blows better than Tyson absorbed Holyfield's blows. For that reason Holyfield edges this one for me.

The best heavyweight chins are Ali, Foreman, McCall & Holmes.....with a honourable mention to Tex Cobb.

[Barn]

Both great chins, both guys could absorb monster shots. I've voted Holyfield by a whisker, but its strange........Tyson could possibly take a harder shot early on in a fight. I've never seen Tyson rocked early on in a fight (unless you count round four of the William's fight!!!).....but Holyfield certainly was rocked early on in fights.

The funny thing is, Holyfield could take sickening punches late into a fight.....but Tyson could be stopped late. It might have been more of a stamina issue for Tyson than an actual chin issue.

That said, when they both met first time it was (and probably still is!!) considered that Tyson was by far the harder puncher of the two. However, Holyfield seemed to absorb Tyson's blows better than Tyson absorbed Holyfield's blows. For that reason Holyfield edges this one for me.

The best heavyweight chins are Ali, Foreman, McCall & Holmes.....with a honourable mention to Tex Cobb.

I think the difference was when Holyfield was hurt, he seemed to hang on better, survive and return shots. Whether that be down to heart, conditioning or whatever is entirely subjective.

[Sugarj]

I think the difference was when Holyfield was hurt, he seemed to hang on better, survive and return shots. Whether that be down to heart, conditioning or whatever is entirely subjective.

Yes, its hard to judge a chin. There are certainly other factors too. Tyson was decked with a single shot though (might have been a balance issue too rather than punch resistance or lack of) whereas, barring early on in the first round I don't think Holyfield was even staggered.

[dan_cov]

Tyson got rocked by Bruno early on. I recall hearing Mike say he was still trying to shake it off several rounds later.

[Sugarj]

Tyson got rocked by Bruno early on. I recall hearing Mike say he was still trying to shake it off several rounds later.

Good point fella! I forgot that. To be fair Bruno was one of the heaviest punchers of all time, that left hook must have hurt. Its a testiment to Tyson's chin that he didn't sag or go down.

[mehoe]

I would say Holyfield, just because he would take more shots in general and his heart would keep him in the fight. Look at the Bowe trilogy.

I thought Chuvalo had a monster chin as well, never knocked down in his whole career.

[Barn]

I would say Holyfield, just because he would take more shots in general and his heart would keep him in the fight. Look at the Bowe trilogy.

I thought Chuvalo had a monster chin as well, never knocked down in his whole career.

Round 10 of the first one is crazy.

[mehoe]

Round 10 Bowe vs Holyfield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ooarvj6f_k