Jerry Quarry 1972 v Leon Spinks 1978

While Quarry beat better fighters than Leon was, this might be an interesting fight. When Spinks was well trained and motivated, he actually had the type of style and tenacity that I think could have given Quarry some trouble. He threw quick hard combinations and I think Jerry might find him a challenge.. That said I'd still favor Quarry to win.

 

I think it might be a fun fight to watch. Not sure if it goes to the cards or ends in stoppage. But I don't see it being a passive snooze fest. There would be some good punches exchanged. Incidentally I think Leon was a guy who had potential. Shame it never materialized.

 

I say Leon Spinks would win by a decision, when he was on he fought with pressure and threw many punches. I understand hat he is no Joe Frazier himself but, the Frazier fights show that pressure fighters are tough for Quarry.

 

That could happen. I personally wouldn't favor Leon to beat Quarry, but its not out of the question.

 

Leon would beat Jerry in a real close fight, this version anyway, by an 8-7 margin in a 15 round fight, 7-5 in 12, and 5-4-1 in a 10 rounder.

 

Given Leon's Style, he will no doubt try to climb all over Jerry like he did Macado and most Others, Jerriy's Problems generally seemed to be with the Machen, Ellis, Ali ( Even Middleton to a degree ) But when one looks at the Hellfire he gave Frazier first time round for three or four rounds, His finishing Assaults against Foster and Shavers were very Powerful, Precise and Prolonged... Give Jerry an accessible Target and he will Show what he's got. and it's Plenty, too much for Leon i suspect, I like Jerry's Chance's Big here.

 

This is an interesting matchup. The 1972 Quarry had the tools and the experience. While the 1978 Spinks lacked experience he possessed an abundance of aggressiveness, drive and determination that enabled him to succeed against a faded Ali where Norton and Shavers did not. Spinks also showed that he could go 15 rounds at a spirited pace. (He did the same in the Ali rematch, and while he lost that one, he did win the first four rounds as I remember it.)

In Ali-Quarry II, Jerry came out fast and it soon became apparent that this strategy was not working. When a fight went Quarry's way he usually put on a very good performance. When a fight did not go his way, he became frustrated and began to gas. This is what we saw in June, 1972 against a very sharp Ali. It was one of his more dismal showings.

I believe a match between 1972 Quarry and 1978 Spinks would start at a fast pace with Leon coming forward winging, and Jerry countering. If Quarry could take command and hurt Spinks early he could win either by early stoppage or take a decision. Since we're talking about the Quarry who showed up against Ali, I find it difficult to picture this happening. I see him starting fast, maybe winning a few early rounds, but if Leon doesn't fold (remember he was still undefeated in February, 1978) and is still there punching after a few rounds I would expect Jerry to gas like he did against both Ali and Frazier, with Spinks scoring a late round stoppage.

(BTW I believe this version of Leon would always be a handful for any version of Quarry. But ONLY this version of Spinks.)

 

I think as long as Jerry was on shape he would thrash Leon pretty easily ..

 

The Leon who beat Ali wins this one easily, and also beats a lot of people who are more highly regarded than he is. Nearly every other version of Leon loses this.

 

Gotta favor Quarry but Leon Spinks was in great shape for the first Ali fight. He was 6-0-1 (5) going into the first Ali fight, the draw was to Scott LeDoux, D10. Prior to LeDoux, Spinks had never been past the 5th round. The LeDoux fight was his 6th pro fight, LeDoux was 21-6-1. Spinks was a great amateur and won Gold at LHW in the '76 Olympics. His amateur record was 178-7 (133).

He went 1-1 vs. Ali, both fights went the 15 round distance. Spinks won about 14 out of the 30 rounds he fought with Ali. After Ali his career pretty much sucked. His best wins after Ali were KO5 A. Evangelista and KO9 B. Mercado.

Spinks is an inch taller, with a 3" reach advantage, and their weight is very close.

In 1970 a rusty Ali stopped Quarry on cuts, LTKOby3. In 1972 a very good Ali stopped Quarry in the 7th round. Quarry never won a round vs. Ali but he did face a better Ali than Spinks... although Ali was very determined in the rematch vs. Spinks.

I'll take Quarry by close decision.

 

I've always been very suspicious of the 1st Ali/Spinks fight and the impetus behind making it. That aside, Spinks was rushed in a way that even today, boggles my mind. I believe the 1972 variant of Quarry, despite high mileage on the odometer, bald tires and blowing wafts of blue smoke, still would have found a way to defeat and possibly clock Leon.

 

Guys, Leon Spinks was a novice w a average chin at best. He beat a shot , out of shape Ali. The Ali that came back to decision Leon was no better, just better conditioned. Norton would have stopped that Leon in a round as Coetzee later did. Quarry would have flattened him.