Michael Spinks vs Sonny Liston @ HW

This match isn't as foregone a conclusion as it may seen. Liston was troubled by movement and Liston, when he fought Eddie Machen, couldn't find the KO punch. And truthfully, I'd consider Spinks a superior opponent than Machen H2H. Remember, Machen was outpointed by then light heavyweight champion Harold Johnson who was 181 pounds at the time of their bout. I think a 200+ pound Michael Spinks would be a tall order for Machen as a side note.

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But could Spinks evade and counter enough to decision Sonny Liston or could Liston find the KO punch?

Remember, Liston wouldn't have the foot or handspeed of a prime Mike Tyson. So I wouldn't expect a blowout. But I'll tentatively favor Liston via UD for pressing the action more and keeping Spinks on the defensive.

 

I agree that Harold Johnson was an excellent fighter, I was just illustrating that I think Spinks at 200 + pounds would be more formidable than Machen.

But Spinks superior speed and agility would be why I think he could last. Plus I think he had enough on his shots to earn Liston's respect. Liston could get to him and stop him but I think it would take a while.

 

Michael Spinks actually was a skilled fighter with lots of heart. Considering that movers gave Liston trouble, Machen and more famously, Muhammad Ali, Spinks would have a good chance at an upset here.

 

Many of the "heavies" Liston fought were smaller than a heavyweight Spinks. In fact, a 200+ lb Spinks would have been larger and more skilled than the heavies that Liston fought and beat.

 

Right...this would be a more competitive fight than many think. Spinks at heavyweight was larger, not to mention more skilled than many of the heavies that Sonny Liston fought. You got to love the logic on here.....194 pound Eddie Machen went the distance with Liston and wobbled him with a left hook, but a 200-212 lbs Michael Spinks would get starched in the first round because Machen was a "heavyweight" and Spinks was a "light heavyweight".



I'd pick Spinks to beat Machen at heavyweight and everyone thinks because a prime Mike Tyson, who was a faster and overall better skilled fighter than Liston, stopped Spinks in 1 round, therefore Liston does it too. Well, I got news for everyone, Machen may have went 12 rounds with Sonny Liston, but on June 27, 1988, Machen would have met the same fate as Michael Spinks in the same amount of time if he were in the ring with a young Tyson.

Liston may very well have beaten Spinks and by KO, but it would be a lot more competitive than they think.

 

LOL........Not to turn this into a Tyson/Liston thread, but a 1988 Tyson would starch Liston and starch him good. Cleveland Williams and Zora Folley made it out of round 1, but a much superior fighter in a prime Tyson doesn't?

Care to tell us how Johnny Paycheck levels Anthony Joshua in a Foreman/Norton like demolition?