The diifference between an iron chin anaverage chin can be two punches.

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In a parallel universe there is a fighter like Lewis who did not get caught by McCalls's shot (or maybe it hit a different part of his head and he only suffered a flash KD, etc)

It follows from the fighters that he fought and the way he dominated the division and his comments about other fighter's power ("that's not a big left hook", on Tua's hook, post fight). You don't have to point out that he was not caught on the perfect spot or the like.

We would probably assume that Lewis had a chin at least as good as Vitali's.

Interesting, no?

Chins

 

It's so odd seeing LL as the "shorter" guy vs V.K. Also, I think the matter with Lewis' chin is something of a paradox...definitely not the "chinny" guy he's made out to be by virtue of those 2 ko defeats he suffered.

 

Lewis's chin seemed to vary from fight to fight sometimes he could take big shots with little or no effect eg bruno or vitali and sometimes he'd get totally sparked. Seemed to depend on how up for the fight he was.

 

In truth I think Lewis ego was his downfall as much as his chin was.

 

Chin is the most subjective issue, half the time its bad defense/stamina/concentration that leads to KO losses

 

Very true.

 

All fighters lose concentration or get hit by shots they dont see at some point, shots that would knock an opponent out. Lewis chin wasnt horrible but it wasnt great. The guys with great chins have the ability to walk through and take the shots that Lewis was knocked out by. For instance Oliver Mcall took a shot from Frank Bruno that was very similar to the shot that Rahman knocked Lennox Lewis out with. Having a great chin is like having great punching power, its not something that can be taught.

 

Lewis TKO 6 Vitali :good

 

How do you know a parallel Lennox Lewis did not manage not to avoid these two punches that KOED him as well as all the other punches that could have KOED him?

Against Rahman he literally stopped fighting and begged to be KOED.

 

Boxing fans seem to need structure and order in the same way that religious people do.

Chin is religion. It is material, but it is not examined scientifically.

 

I think McCall is a special case.

He was hit by a four punch combo from Lewis, the jab, right hand, left hook, uppercut.... and was buzzed for about half a second then started laughing and walking around the ring.

 

Thats not the point Im making. I was referring to Mcall. He was a guy who had plenty of mental lapses and defensive lapses, so he was getting hit more by big punches than a fighter like Lewis. That being said, he was never knocked out or really hurt at all. Lewis has taken some big shots, but hes also been knocked out by big shots meaning his chin wasnt as good as Mcalls.

 

My whole premise is that one or two punches alter perception.

Take away two punches in Lewis' career, keep everything else the same, and people think his chin is not only a little better, but exponentially better.

Do you see that?

 

He was wobbled by Holyfield off a nothing left hook.

 

Which is exactly the sort of thing which might by ignored if he had not been KOED by Rahman, never mind McCall.

Perception.