James,

When throwing a straight right, some instructors say to hit the center point of the chin while others say to hit the side of the chin. Is the center point of the chin a viable knockout target?

Thank you for your time. Looking forward to your reply.

-Bill D

Bill, both targets are viable and I suggest taking what is given rather than playing perfect. Here are the issues of the matter. Incapacitation due to punches to the jaw occur for the fallowing reasons:

1. A shock wave is delivered through the tuning fork of the jaw which blasts through the base of the skull and cervical vertebrae and interrupts nerve activity travelling from the brain to the body. This is best achieved by a straight on punch to the chin.

2. Rotation of the brain and the quick snapping of the neck caused by a blow to the side of the jaw are just as effective, as the two effects are aggregated. There are three if factors here 1) if he has a bull neck the nerve interruption may not be enough, 2) if he does not see the blow coming, which is more likely from the angle to the jaw rather than the chin, then the blow will be enhanced 3) this blow has a better chance of breaking the jaw

As with most questions of boxing this comes down to tactical nuance.

The straight to the chin is harder to set up.

The straight to the jaw is usually an open target opportunity caused by his low lead or dropped guard, which you have less control over than him. When the cross angle is offered the chin is usually denied and visa versa.

When to throw the straight and the cross—which is an application of the straight, that angles over his lead—is the real question.

Throw the straight to the chin while he is stepping in so he eats his weight and force too. Throwing the straight at the chin while he is slipping is or otherwise moving side to side, is not advisable. The straight to the chin of a moving head has to be preceded by a jab to fix his position in order to have a high hit ratio.

If he is slipping or hooking, look for the cross angle.

If he is hooking and you are in the pocket, ding him on the chin before he lands the hook and you catch him tensing and this helps.

If he is hooking and you are moving away from the blow, stop, shield with your lead, and hit the side of his jaw or side of chin with the cross, which will feed his hooking energy into the blow, amplifying it and landing quicker as you are on the straight line.

They both work Bill. It really comes down to what he's made of, what you've got in your arsenal and what he gives you.

If I'm a wing-span monster like Hearns or Foreman give me the point of the chin.

If I'm a little twerp, I'll look for the fade or post so I can cross over his lead.

If I'm a peek-a-boo guy, I'll feed the straight right to the chin while I'm dipping under his straight right.

Good luck, Bill and thanks for the input.