Big Guys and Chins Historically

I disagree if you saying size does not matter, and you contradict yourself a bit below:

I agree with this. A larger neck and head takes a better blow in general. The heavier the weight, the harder it is to violently move in one direction or another.

The weight affect can be seen with two heavy bags, with one being much heavier than the other.

 

It's interesting because I know a guy who is 6'10". Easiest guy I've ever known to spot in a crowd.
Now he is tall and not a beanpole either, but the funny thing is that his head and neck are no bigger than that of an ordinary guy.
I believe that a big neck and big head are key ingredients to taking a punch because more force is required to move a heavy object.
I know someone else who is a touch under 6' but has the largest head I ever seen on a hunan being. He looks somewhat ogrish because his head (he barely has a neck it's so short) is disproportionate to the rest of him.
I'd wager he takes a much better shot than the giant who despite being very tall, has an ordinary-sized head and neck.
Being tall on it's own bestowes no inherent benefit or disadvantage to taking a shot, imo.

 

I agree with this, however being much taller does make it harder to land head shots, so from that point of view they can be a little harder to connect on. Usually the neck and head size of a man 6'4" is greater than that of a man who's 5'10" tall. Not always, but there is a correlation.


From martial arts experience, breaking or moving something goes like this.

Same material same weight.

Longer and thinner = easier to break and move.

Shorter and thicker = harder to break and move.

The heavier and thicker something is, the harder it is to break period.

So it makes sense the large heads and necks tend to take the best shots, as they do not move as much or change direction as quickly. I also think the raw amount of weight under the legs helps too.

 

The one fighter that questions that theory is Primo Carnera, the mans head and neck was huge compared to his rivals of the day so his punch resistence should have been exceptional which isn't the case.

 

I totally agree

however, I have a big head and big neck and I don't take a good punch :good so all big heads are not created equal :bbb

 

Yeah, nothing is set in stone. Moorer had a massive neck, about the same size as Tyson's, but he was not known for his ability to take a punch.

 

Gunboat Smith and Frank Moran

 

It also has a lot to do with not being caught flush....seeing shots coming and rolling with them. It only takes the smallest of movement to take the kick out of a KO blow.

Huge hwts are usually easier to take out as they are not as adept...don't have the reflexes...to roll with shots. Chuvalo I believe was a very unusual example of a fighter who could take it and not go down. George was not a huge hwt but instead more squat in appearance with thick neck, thick legs and torso.

Taller more lanky hwts tend to be the ones where timber is yelled every time they get hit square.

 

Agreed. Nothing is set in stone.

If you are used to getting hit, and have some b@lls, you take a better punch. You could say in boxing one part of the anatomy can help the other. Part of taking a punch is a mind set.

 

I am having trouble understanding this thread.

It seems to me that most of the people who normally argue the strongest about size mattering in a fight are actually arguing that size doesnt make a difference in relation to chin.

I think as a general rule, the bigger a fighter, the better the chin. Also, it seems hard to argue that for unknown reasons, the rounder the face the better the chin also.

I think the ball theory is most relevant here. A golf ball cannot move and therefore hit as hard a soccer ball. This is oneof the reasons why overall it is hard for the smaller fighter to hurt the bigger fighter with body shots. But the head is a different beast. It doesnt really matter how big or small you are, you are going to weight an awful lot more than the head you are trying to hit and dislodge. This means that any fighter who catches another clean enough will KO them. If they happen to be moving towards them when they catch them, then it will happen for sure.

AS others have pointed out the ability to role is the underated thing with head shots. I dont think its fair to say that bigger fighters are slower and then bigger targets as many on here have said. You have to remember that this is offset because they have more strength power and reach which makes it harder the for them to be hit clean. It is all a number of factors which need to be taken into consideration.

 

Maybe there's no way of truly knowing a fighters punch resistance till we see them get hit.