Wow, this one is close. I think Byrd did better on taking pressure, tougher too, but Spinks was eventually better at dictating the pace and fighting more aggressive at times. AT HW prob. Byrd, but this one would be 12 rounds of finest boxing to watch.
The best pure boxer Spinks outboxed was Larry Holmes. The best pureboxer Byrd outboxed was....Fres Oquendo or shot, one armed Holyfield? (He never outboxed Vitali or Golota.)
You might be right here. Spinks showed better in tactical affairs, while Byrd was good at out outmaneuvering the power of slower HWs than him, was tough and durable too. I don´t see Spinks going as far as Byrd did against Tua, Wlad and others, while Byrd would survive Tyson longer too, exchanging that. Thus on the chekker of chess boxing, Spinks might take it.
I see no one picked Byrd to win on this poll. And in truth it’s reasonable to favor Spinks. But I’m not confident enough either way to make a solid choice. Byrd was fairly durable unless you were a pretty heavy bomber which spinks was at 175 but not over 200. Chris was also fast and a good boxer. Both guys comparably sized when we’ll trained. I’m guessing this goes the distance and whoever wins gets it by a narrow points margin
Spinks has to much Juke and Jive and he befuddles Byrd after losing a few rounds while gathering input. Byrd will take a couple rounds & then Spinks will solve the riddle and his supremely effective awkwardness and herky jerky style will consistently break Byrds rhythm. He’ll pile up the points down the stretch and if it’s 15 rounds he’ll win rather wide decision in my opinion.