Top 15 Chins at Heavyweight

Holmes has great recovery, but I don't think he has an iron chin. He has been hurt in multiple fights throughout his career. He's still a honorable mention, though.

 

Sure, but Andy hasn't taken the same amount of clean punches from big punchers as much as the other guys on the list. He definitely has a good chin.

 

I definitely think I rated Joyce too high when I think about it because I did leave out a bunch of fighters who lost their chins. But a dented Joyce chin does still have a pretty good chin, though.

Holmes is an honorable mention, but I wouldn't put him on the list. He got hurt a good deal of times in his career; however, he clearly has the greatest knockdown recovery OAT.

I rate Chuvalo's chin highly, but his defense was very good, so he wasn't taking too many clean shots. It's also hard to judge because he didn't fight a long list of big punchers: Foreman, Frazier, Patterson, and Bonavena (Cleveland Williams was clearly shot).

I think Cobb (and Wach, who many others suggested) have a better chin than Wardley and Bunger, so thanks for the suggestions.

 

Bowe is high because he took so many massive, clean shots in his career. I think the level of chin we saw warranted a spot on the list.

Marciano fought in an era with a lack of any huge punchers, but he could be an honorable mention.

Holyfield got hurt multiple times in his career, but it’s crazy he had the chin he did considering he came up from 190.

I’m not a historian, so I can’t comment on Jeffries.

Usyk hasn’t taken that many hard shots at heavyweight, but he’s probably up there.

 

Usyk should be up there.

Hrgovic too.

Mccall is elite here. He will be my number 1 pick

Vitali is terrific in this department

so is Tua.

i am going to put Tyson up there too. Great chin and only ever went down due to sustained beatings.

Holyfield too has a great case. Bowe was the only time he was stopped - and even the best chins can get cracked

Ray Mercer is up there too.

Ali is up there too.

Holmes and Foreman as well.

i am going to try to think about the order but in no order:

McCall
Vitali
Usyk
Ali
Holmes
Foreman
Tyson
Hrgovic
Tua
Mercer
Holyfield
Cobb
Chuvalo


Still thinking about the last 2 spots

 

UPDATED PERSONAL LIST:

15. Joe Joyce
14. Riddick Bowe
13. Mariusz Wach
12. Tex Cobb
11. Nikolai Valuev
10. George Chuvalo
9. Muhammad Ali
8. David Tua
7. Ross Puritty
6. Filip Hrgovic
5. Ray Mercer (pre-neck injury)
4. Marion Wilson
3. Vitali Klitschko
2. George Foreman
1. Oliver McCall

 

I think those telling you Chuvalo is too low are correct.
Check how many rounds & years he fought.
I would say the "slip" vs. Patterson was a flash kd, but if so, never down anytime even sparring must rate him higher.

Foreman #2? I understand the logic, he was decked more due to exhaustion twice, but he was down several times vs. Lyle, has been shaken up...#2 is way too high.

The inverse of Chuvalo, sure Marion Wilson never his the canvas which is rare especially for a long career.
BUT I understand he was a clinch-aholic.
We cannot give much credit if due to defensive skill or clinging guys do not *take* mucu in the way of big shots & combos.

I like McCall for #1, fought forever & Tyson 300 + rounds never down anywhere.
But I do not have a good enough rebuttal to the poster who said Mercer fought bigger punchers!