A fighter's chin.

[VG_Addict]

A good chin, or the ability to take punches, is one of the most important attributes a fighter can have. But how exactly does a fighter have a good chin or a bad one? Why does it seem like some fighters can take a punch, while others can't?

Is it hereditary? Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. inherited his father's granite chin. Conversely, Ronald Hearns inherited his father's weak chin. On the other hand, Roger Mayweather had a weak chin, while his nephew Floyd had a strong chin. Another point against chins being hereditary are the Klitschko brothers. Wladimir Klitschko didn't have a particularly strong chin, while Vitali had one of the best chins ever.

Or maybe it's just a mental thing. Maybe a fighter's mentality makes a punch seem more damaging than it actually is. Some say Wlad's chin wasn't the problem, it's that he panicked when he got hit. Same thing with David Price. I mean, getting punched in the face isn't the most pleasant experience.

I don't know. What do you think makes up a good chin?

[Vlad_]

Part of it is mental, as to be able to take the punch and not lose focus and concentration.
But of course another part of it is purely physical. If you get hit and the brain momentarily disconnects, well that's it you're down, no matter how much willpower you have. You could get back up if you're mentally strong, but the damage is done.
In the end though, the right punch on the right spot will drop any man.

[HarvardBlue]

I think the whole good chin/bad chin is a myth. Anyone can get knocked out. It has nothing to do with your chin. It's the impact of your brain bouncing around in your skull. Some fighters can take a punch because they see it coming and then others get caught from punches they didn't see coming at all. If I had to guess, it's the fighters that have that the most lapse in concentration are the ones that get KO'd the most. One split second can put you to sleep. I would imagine it's pretty hard to concentrate when you have punches coming at you from all angles.