Why do a lot of heavy hitters have weak/suspect chins?

Neat question;

I think it comes down to how you define the boundaries of ‘chin’. Do you have it naturally, or can you develop it through training? Does it actually come down to the strength of your neck? Perhaps heavy hitters don’t develop the physical fortitude in taking a flush hit to the face because they pick out their single power shots to try and end a match early, don’t train for extended boxing matches?

Kodanshi makes a good point. Poor training can lead to exhaustion in the ring. Once your tired, you simply cant defend yourself like youd be able to at full stamina. Thats part of the equation, another part I suppose is boxing style. If you're throwing hard looping punches and hooks, you'll be leaving yourself open more often to get hit.
Another thing, is that the guys you named are heavyweights. Naturally youll see more knockouts in that division simply because of the strength of the opponents' punches being significantly higher than the lower weight divisions.
Finally, genetics may play a part as well. Just like some people have motion sickness while some can ride twisting coasters all day long, i suppose some people just have a stronger equilibrium, or better skull formation for protection of the brain? Its an interesting question you raise, for certain.

Captainobvious99 said:

…some people have motion sickness while some can ride twisting coasters all day long, i suppose some people just have a stronger equilibrium, or better skull formation for protection of the brain?

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Ahhh… Very interesting. I’d never considered that. I know you gave it as an example, but I do now wonder about the correlation between things like motion sickness/equilibrium and ability to remain standing after a shot to the face. I’ve always avoided rollercoasters because the motion makes me feel sick & queasy.

I think it depends on how much you can take pain too. I myself know (its been tested) that it would take a big shot to knock me over. If I were to go down, it would probably look something like Tyson getting KO'd. It would take the big shot, then a bunch of others then I would just sort of trip and fall.

The shots that knocked down Lennox Lewis weren't necessarily very big shots... and they were very early in the fight!

I think its because alot of heavy hitters arent used to being hit or in that good of shape because theyre used to short round fights cause they knock people out, but when facing a fighter with good stamina and footwork they get fatigued, and usually their defense weakens and the result if a quick hit and stars. Personally i love fighting heavy hitters and big guys for that very reason.