Tim Witherspoon vs Michael Spinks?

Go on George, it's exciting..

 

Spinks would get caught eventually. Tim ko in 6 at the most.

 

Would have loved to see this fight....spoon just after he beat bruno..spunks just after holmes 2

 

No, because his limit was old over the hill heavyweights and limited European heavyweights. At the time, I picked Michael to beat Mike, and I was wrong. Very, Very, Very wrong.

 

In practice Michael Spinks was the superior fighter but despite that I think Tim Witherspoon likely wins. Not only was he better suited for the heavyweight division but he was a damn dangerous and hard to beat heavy at that.. Michael’s skills, heart and conditioning would help him to linger in there and perhaps steal a few rounds. But Tim power, reach and bullying style would keep Spinks on the defensive for much of the fight. What’s interesting about this match is that both of these guys fought very awkward styles yet ones that were highly effective at the world level. I know most of the votes thus far has Tim winning by KO, but I’ll give Spinks the benefit of the doubt that he survives to see the distance before losing a decision..

 

My point is ...getting knocked out by a devastating puncher ...does not mean that you can’t take a punch

 

Mike Tyson knocked out a lot guys that Tim Witherspoon couldn’t

 

I would have to say Terrible Tim Witherspoon provided he is in peak condition. Michael Spinks was a terrific Light Heavyweight champion but if Larry Holmes had been a few years younger, the outcome of their Sept 21 1985 bout would have been much different. Tim had a very damaging overhand right hand that had taken out the likes of Frank Bruno. I think that the weight difference and the fact that Spinks was not fighting another 175 lb fighter would spell the difference. Also Tim's cross armed defense would make it difficult for the Spinks jinx to land cleanly.. Witherspoon lands the overhand right hand in round 6 to end this encounter. Michael would not be fighting a spent Gerry Cooney but a more skilled opponent.

 

I don't think that's the kicker tho.

Spinks was hurt multiple times by single right hands across the two Holmes (hardly a big puncher) bouts. This was by a tired slower Holmes having trouble timing his shots. In the rematch Spinks basically ran away from a better trained more aggressive Holmes for four rounds until he tired and it was safer to engage. An in shape Witherspoon would carry his power late and also had power in both hands unlike Holmes where Spinks only had to watch out for right hand.

It's a very dangerous night for Michael.

 

When it could have happened, 1986-1988... Spinks by decision over a lazy Witherspoon. Witherspoon was not at his best during this time, despite winning and defending an alphabet title.

 

Tim could really work like u say....Bruno insisted on a fast pace like he always did...but the supposedly flabby witherspoon outlasted him

 

FWIW

 

Witherspoon imo.

 

I like Spinks by decision. Witherspoon was one of the best in that time, and he would have given Spinks problems. But Spinks would have given Terrible Tim loads of trouble too with his awkwardness. Tyson blew Spinks out early, but I'm not sure anyone else in that time would have done the same (or even close).

 

Foreman is a strong possibilty...if not probability. Spinks only lasted as long as did against Holmes because he ran one heck of a lot, and he was hurt over a dozen times between the two fights, badly at least twice in the second. Foreman hit one HECK of a lot harder than Holmes, and was a far better fighter than Cooney, even in the 80s.