Genetic factors, physical structure, mental toughness, tolerance to pain—these and other ingredients can amplify a boxer’s ability to withstand punches without hitting the canvas. But who are the best chins ever? Who, in the long history of our beloved sport, has shown such durability that they deserve the nickname “titanium jaw” more than others? Here’s our list of the ten toughest fighters of all time, presented in no particular order.
Gennady Golovkin
Remaining at the top of the world stage into his 40s, the Kazakh puncher went through 350 amateur bouts and 45 professional fights without ever being knocked down. His chin was so reliable that he would sometimes allow himself to be hit flush just to “draw out” his opponent. The right hand Canelo Alvarez landed square on his chin in the ninth round of their first fight—without effect—would have floored a bull.
Julio Cesar Chavez
The Mexican was one of the greatest fighters ever, and it’s hard to single out just one of his many qualities. His iron jaw, however, was certainly one of the keys to his relentless style. Knocked down for just three seconds by Frankie Randall in 1994, he didn’t taste the canvas again until age 38, when his long, punishing career was coming to an end. Before that, countless brutal wars—never once did he step back.
Randall “Tex” Cobb
No defense, stiff torso, zero head movement: the colorful Tex Cobb seemed tailor-made to be destroyed in the ring. Yet, even while blocking an absurd percentage of shots with his face, the American walked through the bombs of Earnie Shavers, Ken Norton, and Larry Holmes, always pressing forward. As long as his body held up, he was practically indestructible.
Oliver McCall
Psychologically unstable, slow-footed, and unimaginative: the tough American had plenty of flaws, but no one, friend or foe, would question his granite chin. Tested against punchers across multiple eras, McCall is still fighting in his 60s. The only stoppage loss on his record came against Lennox Lewis, not from punches, but from an emotional breakdown that left him in tears.
Bennie Briscoe
A pro for 20 years, “Bad Bennie” fought 96 times, always with the same game plan: come forward, punch, and take whatever came back without blinking. Champions like Carlos Monzon and Marvin Hagler took turns unloading on him, but the only man to ever stop him was Rodrigo Valdez, who knocked him out with a vicious right hook in the second of their three meetings.
Jake LaMotta
“The Bronx Bull” wasn’t just a nickname, it was a perfect description of LaMotta’s style. The Italian-American fought with fearless courage, shrugged off pain, and marched through the blows of heavy-handed opponents. Sugar Ray Robinson, considered by many the greatest fighter of all time, needed six attempts before finally stopping him in what became known as the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.”
Rocky Marciano
Boxing experts know his chin was just one of many outstanding qualities. Still, Marciano’s durability remains remarkable to this day when watching footage of his historic battles. Knocked down only twice, against Jersey Joe Walcott and Archie Moore, he got up both times angrier than before and went on to score knockouts.
Marvin Hagler
“The Marvelous One,” with his bald head and sculpted physique, already looked carved from stone. His appearance matched the calm way he absorbed monstrous shots. Thomas Hearns hit him so hard he broke his own hand; John Mugabi sacrificed his career trading leather with him. Yet the only official knockdown Hagler ever suffered was a slip against Juan Domingo Roldan.
Harry Greb
To rack up 119 bouts in the early 20th century—when gloves were thin, refereeing was lax, and fight schedules were brutal—and come away with just two knockout losses is almost a miracle. The miracle becomes complete when you note that the first came at age 19 against an opponent six kilos heavier, and the second when Greb fought with a broken left arm.
James Toney
The American great started his career at middleweight and ended it among the heavyweights nearly three decades later. Despite jumping up four weight divisions, “Lights Out” always had a rock-solid chin, even into his late 40s. Proven heavyweight punchers like Hasim Rahman and Samuel Peter couldn’t dent him, making him, without question, one of the best chins of all time.