Michael Spinks vs Tim Witherspoon

What if Spinks had fought Witherspoon at heavyweight?

 

I never thought of this match-up. Spinks had a very herky jerky style at heavyweight and still had decent power in his right hand. Tim was very crafty and durable and could really impose himself physically on boxer types. Tim also had that sneaky right hand. I like Tim by mid to late rounds stoppage. A good big man beating a good little man. I also remember Tim chasing Holmes all over the ring in their fight and Holmes clearly did not like to feel Tim's power/strength. Larry and Spinks fought each other 30 rounds on more or less on even terms and Holmes never really was affected by Spink's punches.

 

It depends on when the fight happens. Before 86 I’d side with Spinks, but by 87 and after Spinks due to knee problems didn’t have the mobility for me to see him avoiding Witherspoon’s power and would likely get stopped like he did in the Tyson fight.

 

Spinks by easy decision over the leader of the lazy tittybaby squad. Spinks owned him in sparring when they were younger and would in a real fight. Tim needs to stick to a hotdog eating contest.

 

Sorry I feel like you are being a little vague? Could you please extrapolate in a little more detail so I can get the gist of what you are really saying? Thanks

 

I am an enigma.

 

Ooooppppsssss read that wrong....I thought you wrote enema

 

Are we talking at there best at HW or we talking the yr Spinks moved up to HW. I need more specifics

 

Well we can go with both scenarios.

 

Ok then I like the Spoon from the Holmes fight against any HW version of Spinks. Flabby Spoon may be a completely different story though

 

Witherspoon by decision.

 

This is how I see it. Tim fought Larry when he was just past it, while Michael fought him when he was well past.

Witherspoon had too heavy a shot for Spinks. Not Tyson-level, but not too far. Michael couldn't take it, though he might outslick Tim for several rounds.

This fight makes me think a bit of Bowe-Hide. If Hide had been a natural heavyweight he might have stopped Bowe.

Inevitably Holmes/Tim's being very much a heavyweight and having a maturity that belied his years would be the end of Michael. Michael's cute strategy worked got the job done against old man Holmes...it ain't makin' it against young hot Tim.

 

this looks like one of those fights Witherspoon does not get into top shape for. He'd think it would be an easy fight for him and I think does everything but training. Meanwhile Spinks does a real good job preparing and he's the guy with his A game. Decision bout and one of those fights Witherspoon should win and even fairly easy. But he doesn't.

 

From on older Ring Magazine:

“I hit Tex Cobb and he told me, “You had me blinkin’ there, buddy,;” laughs Michael. “He said I put a dip in his knees. “I worked with Witherspoon in ’82 and I did fairy well. I did extremely well, to tell you the truth. He knew I was there and I got respect. I was impressed with my performance.”

“I’d have to say Page gave me more problems than the other two. He’s just too big. He tried to hurt me. I landed some good punches, but Page just had too much body. Between Witherspoon and Page, I don’t think Witherspoon hits as hard as Page.”

Sparring and fight night are different obviously, but thought I’d share this here.

 

This. I pick a slim, young version over any version of M. Spinks.