Rocky Marciano vs Michael Spinks

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Aug 13, 2018.


  1. slender4

    slender4 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Spinks was the best LHWT I ever saw, and arguably the most underrated fighter of my lifetime 1968. and he was 6-2.

    But I would take RM by close decision.
     
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  2. slender4

    slender4 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Of Marciano's opponents, only Walcott would have had a reasonable shot against Spinks, and he was 39. Tyson, Cooney, and Holmes would have all beaten Rocky fairly easily in my opinion, and Qawi would have given him fits.
     
  3. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I am a little shocked in how little love Spinks is getting here. As a 175 pounder who fought at 200 and unseated a very big ATG, he could pick the weight he is most comfortable, bring his big right and awkward style, and make it a tough night. Like just about everyone else, I pick Rocky, but these are two ATGs who earned their spots.

    Curious.
     
  4. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Seconded!
     
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  5. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    I've always said that if you made a list of all the heavyweight contenders of the gloved era of boxing from say 1899-1970 and picked names at random, odds are that if you put them in the ring with a very peak Tyson on June 27, 1988, they would have met the same date as Michael Spinks. Meaning that Michael Spinks didn't do any better or worse than the majority of the top heavyweight contenders in the history of the sport may have done vs a prime time Mike Tyson.

    Plus, I think it was that Spinks was unlucky enough to encounter a prime Tyson. He likely would have done better against another prime, ATG heavyweight even in a losing effort.

    Imagine had Spinks fought Joe Louis. And let's say Louis knocked him out in the 13th round but Spinks was more or less as competitive as Billy Conn was, which is totally plausible, you'd rate Spinks higher as a heavyweight.

    Now imagine that Billy Conn, weighing 174 on fight night, encountered Mike Tyson on June 27, 1988? Conn would likely have suffered a similar blow out loss. And then you'd rate him lower at heavyweight.

    The point being, Spinks loss to Tyson doesn't mean that he'd never be competitive vs another ATG heavyweight champion.
     
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  6. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Don't know about Cooney. And you don't think Charles or Moore would have a reasonable shot against Spinks?
     
  7. GOAT Primo Carnera

    GOAT Primo Carnera Member of the PC Fan Club Full Member

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    The truth is, among the LH-CWs of yesterday that Rocky fought, including a orginally 198lb Louis, Spinks could be the best fighter H2H.
    This is a competitve bout against Rocky. As would be a 190lb Holyfield, or Spinks vs. Holyfield @ 190.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2018
  8. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    I think Spinks would be wise to come in at 200-208 lbs vs Marciano. I don't think he'd be strong or durable enough for Marciano at 175 lbs. If Marciano could withstand a 184 pound Ezzard Charles or a 190ish pound Archie Moore or a nearly 200 pound Jersey Joe Walcott, then I think he'd over power a 170-175 lb Michael Spinks.
     
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  9. richdanahuff

    richdanahuff Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I like Spinks chances in this one his style and movement gives him a stylistic chance and Rocky is not as slick or fast as Qwai at catching a runner....if Rocky wins its late
     
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  10. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Where have you been?? I missed your witty humor around here!
     
  11. GOAT Primo Carnera

    GOAT Primo Carnera Member of the PC Fan Club Full Member

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    Well my Marciano Warning Bell turned on. Glad to see they put him in fair bouts currently :)

    What about DaPreem?
     
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  12. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Carnera vs Anthony Joshua
    Carnera vs Lennox Lewis or
    Carnera vs Abe Simon

    Trying to decide the fairest matchup......
     
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  13. slender4

    slender4 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    No, they were both WAY past their primes. Moore would have trouble with Spinks at his peak. Cooney for all of his faults was 6'6 230.
     
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  14. Bonecrusher

    Bonecrusher Lineal Champion Full Member

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    Exactly.

    Spinks beat Larry Holmes TWICE!! Sure Larry wasn’t in his prime anymore, but he was very sharp for fight #2 and Spinks was still a shade better in my view. I thought he nicked Holmes by one point in fight number two.

    It’s hilarious to me that people cry “Holmes was OLD at 36” vs Spinks. Spinks clearly won fight #1. So of course Holmes was OLD

    Yet at 43 He was able to School Olympic Gold Medalist and top contender Ray Mercer and then give Holyfield a bit of a rough go over 12 rounds.

    And then at 46 ARGUABLY BEAT WBC CHAMPION OLIVER MCCALL!!! I thought McCall won but it was close..

    NO ONE Looked good vs Holmes except Peak Tyson..

    Spinks gets my full respect for both those victories and for slaying the Giant Cooney.. Spinks gets so overlooked all because of that 1 Tyson loss..
     
  15. Vince Voltage

    Vince Voltage Boxing Addict Full Member

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    There is no way that Michael Spinks was the worst heavyweight champ ever, an absurd statement. He beat the undefeated Holmes twice. People always try to cheat him of these victories, but they were legit. He hit Holmes more than Larry hit him, plain and simple. Cooney was much bigger than him and Spinks was on him like a machine gun. Yes, he lost to Tyson, who happened to be on one of the biggest tears in heavyweight history.

    Rocky Marciano was 5'10", 185 pounds. Walcott, Louis, and Charles were ancient when they lost to him. I am picking a prime Cooney-smashing Spinks to bust Rocky up and school him.