I've often wondered about the effect of thick beards on boxers being cushions against punches. I'm talking about very thick beards like the one Plant had this weekend. Surely 3inches of hair on your chin will diminish the effect of a punch. OK, maybe a gigantic punch will still get you KO'd (like Helenius) but lighter punches might be less hurtful. Here is Teddy Atlas' take on the matter. This content is protected
I thought the opposing side could request the beard get chopped. I don't think it's much of an advantage. Would be like a cyclist shaving legs to go faster or something like that. A REAL advantage is having a giant bundle of dense hair taped up behind your head a la Bermaine Stiverne to prevent rabbit punches.
Antonio Margarito had a thick goatee and I think Roach said he wanted it shaved off or trimmed. Pac said leave it as he wanted a target.
Atlas makes a good point about, at least in the old days, a guy would rub his beard against the other guys cut. That would work if you had a stubble and not a full beard.
This content is protected Fulton fights with a big ass beard. Combined with sweat and gobs of Vaseline, I can see how it can become something off a cushion against chin shots. Inoue's still gonna beat this boy like he stole something, though.
I remember that lame Jim Lampley stating that in commentary, He had the voice but just needed to cut down his Bias which unfortunately he never could do all the way till HBO went down under.
I'm sure there is a rule about beard length or thickness, but I haven't heard of it being enforced in a while.