Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

How useful is a big neck (like 20 inches circumference) important in taking punches?

  • 07-04-2012 4:32pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 956 ✭✭✭


    2 fighters who I know have 20 inch necks are David Tua and Mike Tyson. (not sure if Holyfield is the full 20 inches.)

    They could both take big punches IMO. People say that a big neck acts as a big shock absorber. Is this true?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,549 ✭✭✭✭cowzerp


    I'd be well known for having a durable chin, been honest i rarely get rocked even by heavyweights-my neck is 17" and im only 5,7"

    I do believe it plays a part in taking punches and certainly with stopping your head been jarred back, but then again plenty of big lads with big necks had poor chins, Bruno for example, then another example of a relatively small neck Mccullogh had a head like a rock!

    The chin is the deciding factor when it comes to getting KO'd and big neck or not you will be knocked out if caught hard on the chin if it does not have the durability to take what is given.

    Collins, Mccullogh, Foreman-these men had chins that where made to fight.

    Tommy Morrison and Bruno for example had the necks but not the chin.

    Endurance also plays a massive part in taking a punch, hence why older boxers can suddenly become chinny.

    Rush Boxing club and Rush Martial Arts head coach.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭colly10


    Ye I think that a stronger neck will help you take the shots better. Your head won't be snapped back to the same extent when taking the shot.
    I've never specifically trained my neck but you see alot of pro fighters doing a bit of work with the neck. I would imagine it's worthwhile


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57,379 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    cowzerp wrote: »
    Tommy Morrison and Bruno for example had the necks but not the chin.

    Endurance also plays a massive part in taking a punch, hence why older boxers can suddenly become chinny.

    Paul, I will add that Bruno's main issue was that he was usually tiring when getting stopped. Was he ever down? Took a great shot, but he hadn't the stamina or recuperative prowess as the fights wore on and as the damage levels increased. He was never clean ko'd early.

    There was a detailed thread on this before. Physiology is a key. And, head and neck muscles are quite important. Strong legs too.

    So, strictly speaking, for single shot absorption, when fatigue is not a factor, yes, neck size can aid a fighter to absorb a better shot. Bruno had a thick neck, and massive shoulders too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭boxer.fan


    From my own experience, a well conditioned neck reduces the whiplash effect from taking a lot of punches in a fight. Nothing to do with a strong chin though. Chin is something you can only develop a tiny bit when starting out. For the very most part you either have it or you dont.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57,379 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    boxer.fan wrote: »
    From my own experience, a well conditioned neck reduces the whiplash effect from taking a lot of punches in a fight. Nothing to do with a strong chin though. Chin is something you can only develop a tiny bit when starting out. For the very most part you either have it or you dont.

    Yes, but the term "chin" in boxing really refers to not just the anatomical chin, but the whole head. I mean, some guys get hit on the side of the head, the temple etc, and are knocked out. So, anatomy and physiology are related to taking a shot, or "having a good chin." I don't think we mean specifically the actual chin. It's the ability to take a shot anywehere on the head and face, and this ability has several factors that can aid. Size of neck and anatomical structure of head and neck are important. Add in other factors too like already mentioned, conditioning, legs, maturity etc.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭boxer.fan


    walshb wrote: »
    Yes, but the term "chin" in boxing really refers to not just the anatomical chin, but the whole head. I mean, some guys get hit on the side of the head, the temple etc, and are knocked out. So, anatomy and physiology are related to taking a shot, or "having a good chin." I don't think we mean specifically the actual chin. It's the ability to take a shot anywehere on the head and face, and this ability has several factors that can aid. Size of neck and anatomical structure of head and neck are important. Add in other factors too like already mentioned, conditioning, legs, maturity etc.

    Correct.

    When I talk about chin, I would be pretty much referring to the ability to take shots to the head in general.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,325 ✭✭✭gene_tunney


    Pretty interesting topic.

    In my opinion, what is generally described as "chin" consists of 2 factors: neck muscle and bone size.

    Those with large necks can absorb shots rather than getting their head whipped around, which is what causes knockouts. When the head gets whipped quickly, the brain bashes against the skull causing a loss of consciousness.

    Those with dense, large bones have he same advantage, having the ability to absorb the punch, e.g. the mandible lessens the hit for the skull.

    If this is true, then chin can be trained to a certain extent by building neck muscle, but bone density cannot be improved to any extent that isn't negligible (at least not in the mandible).

    Pretty interesting subject I think.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭Wild_Dogger


    How useful is a big neck (like 20 inches circumference) ?

    Wouldn't be much help when looking for a cheap shirt in Penny's .






  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,383 ✭✭✭✭nacho libre


    someone mentioning legs is interesting, because according to Khan's ex trainer, a lot of his problem, aside from being weight drained, was he had "too much muscle up top" in proportion to his lower body, his legs were said to be quite thin.

    Is someone with a "square jaw" better equipped to take a punch as well? I've heard if you've a long pointy kind of chin you'll be less able to absorb a punch. I guess that probably has something to do with the aforementioned bone density.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57,379 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    someone mentioning legs is interesting, because according to Khan's ex trainer, a lot of his problem, aside from being weight drained, was he had "too much muscle up top" in proportion to his lower body, his legs were said to be quite thin.
    .

    Khan really is a good example that chin and ability to take and shake a shot has other factors apart from nature and physiology. Khan's weight gain, maturity, and age, all have helped him. Not made him granite, just helped him. Heavier, older, stronger, better legs, and fitter too. Khan is tremendously conditioned. Of all the OTHER factors in taking a shot, I think conditioning is of most importance. The key to the LP II fight may just lie in Khan's ability to take LPs clean shots. Can he? Well, he did in fight 1, but he was wobbled and hurt several times.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 956 ✭✭✭RiseToTheTop




Advertisement