What is so great about Mike Tyson vs Spinks?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Boxing125, Jul 6, 2015.


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  1. Boxing125

    Boxing125 Active Member Full Member

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    I've heard it said time and again that Tyson's greatest performance was beating Spinks in 1988 and on that night he was unbeatable. Some even claim it was as impressive as Ali outclassing Clevland Williams!

    When I look back on Tyson Spinks all I see is Tyson cutting off the ring with pressure for just over a minute then hitting Spinks with a right hand and Spinks goes down. He then gets up and Tyson hits him with another right hand and Spinks is knocked out. The fight was a complete disgrace on the part of Spinks who must have been completely terrified and had only had 4 fights at heavyweight before the bout. I honestly don't think this fight was any more impressive than Joe Frazier knocking out Bob Foster ( the light- heavyweight champion) in two rounds in 1970.

    As for the idea that Tyson showed his invincibility that night im not sure. Joe Louis knocking out Schmeling in the first round or Sonny Liston destroying Patterson not once but twice were more impressive knockouts for me as these fighters used combinations before knocking out their opponents. Why is Tyson's performance against Spinks his greatest performance?
     
    Boxing125, Jul 6, 2015
    Boxing125, Jul 6, 2015
    #1
  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    This is the fastest ever destruction of a reigning lineal heavyweight champion.

    If you have to resort to Louis Schmeling II, or Liston Patterson, to find effective comparisons, then it is in pretty select company.

    I would reject the comparison of Frazier Foster, because Foster never really established himself as a top heavyweight.
     
    janitor, Jul 6, 2015
    janitor, Jul 6, 2015
    #2
  3. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Hindsight is always 20/20. Some of us figured Spinks could win the decision. :oops:

    Yes that looks stupid, but it helps explain the impressiveness of Tyson's performance. I doubt pre fight, even Mike's biggest fans were calling a blow out inside two minutes.
     
    TBooze, Jul 6, 2015
    TBooze, Jul 6, 2015
    #3
  4. heerko koois

    heerko koois Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    :good
     
    heerko koois, Jul 6, 2015
    heerko koois, Jul 6, 2015
    #4
  5. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    I was very impressed at the time. Spinks was the real champion. For it to be that easy Tyson was either as special as he looked or Spinks was terrible all along, but Spinks was mot terrible because he beat Holmes and ****ey giving away size.

    It's easy to tear it down now but Spinks was high regarded back then.
     
    choklab, Jul 6, 2015
    choklab, Jul 6, 2015
    #5
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  6. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It was a great performance. Sure, Spinks was scared. But, Tyson's speed and power, combined with great defense was on full display in this one. Tyson was clinically efficient in this flawless performance. That body shot that dropped Spinks was classic. Then Tyson times Spinks and beats him to the punch with a right hand after the first knockdown. This was one of the best performances in a mid 80's superfight, the others being Hagler against Hearns and Curry against McCrory.
     
    Saad54, Jul 6, 2015
    Saad54, Jul 6, 2015
    #6
  7. yancey

    yancey Active Member Full Member

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    Didn't Kevin Rooney bet a large amount on a 1st round KO in this one?
     
    yancey, Jul 6, 2015
    yancey, Jul 6, 2015
    #7
  8. Boxing125

    Boxing125 Active Member Full Member

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    Spinks was unproven against heavy hitters at heavyweight and I feel both of his fights with Holmes could have gone either way in decisions. The fight was too short and Tyson did not do enough for me to consider this as evidence of his brilliance - Frank Bruno got knocked down in Tyson's next fight within 20 seconds but Frank didnt fold mentally and recovered to take Tyson to the fifth round. I actually think Tyson's performance against Bruno is underrated. Bruno was the first person to take it to Tyson hitting him with heavy shots and staggering him. In an interview with Tyson when asked what his favourite career performance was he says : ' Yeah Spinks was good but I know a lot of people wont agree with me on this but the first Bruno fight was just as good if not better'
     
    Boxing125, Jul 6, 2015
    Boxing125, Jul 6, 2015
    #8
  9. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    It was a good win because after beating Holmes and ****ey, people gave Spinks a chance or at least thought the fight would be competitive and Tyson after beating everyone impressively KO'd Holmes-(that was willing to fight and not hold-Tucker,Smith-held on for dear life) took out Spinks quickly and convincingly

    If Tyson quit after this fight he would be rated much higher because he started going downhill from there
     
    Bummy Davis, Jul 6, 2015
    Bummy Davis, Jul 6, 2015
    #9
  10. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    He told Tyson that and that when the fight ended, he told Tyson he made that part up
     
    Thread Stealer, Jul 6, 2015
    Thread Stealer, Jul 6, 2015
    #10
  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Seamus, Jul 6, 2015
    Seamus, Jul 6, 2015
    #11
  12. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He should have said Spinks had no experience against a Heavyweight who was a fast, defensively proficient heavy hitter.

    Sure, Spinks did have experience against a heavyweight who was slow, plodding, way past his prime, defensively deficient (****ey)

    And a slow, plodding never was (Tagstedt)
     
    Saad54, Jul 6, 2015
    Saad54, Jul 6, 2015
    #12
  13. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    ****ey hit him with some good shots, especially early on.

    Mike's speed was the difference maker... but Spinks also banked on his speed at heavyweight. Think about that.
     
    Seamus, Jul 6, 2015
    Seamus, Jul 6, 2015
    #13
  14. Vince Voltage

    Vince Voltage Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Michael Spinks was a great fighter. His demolition of ****ey is one of the most impressive performances ever. His ending of Holmes' long reign was an amazing shock. Tyson deserves a lot of credit for beating him.
     
    Vince Voltage, Jul 6, 2015
    Vince Voltage, Jul 6, 2015
    #14
  15. Balder

    Balder Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Spinks was highly overrated as a heavyweight. I never gave this fight much credence. Tyson demolished a smaller, older fighter.

    Sure, Spinks beat C00ney ( after nearly getting koed himself) when C00ney was not training, not fighting and boozing it up. His best fight was against an aging Holmes that took him lightly.

    Any good heavy weight near his prime would KO Spinks in my view. But so many people want Tyson to be great they overate this fight.
     
    Balder, Jul 6, 2015
    Balder, Jul 6, 2015
    #15
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