Tyson vs Spinks

Here:

https://www.inflationtool.com/us-dollar/1988-to-present-value

 

For such an accomplished Champion, at the age of 31, I have a hard time believing that he was there solely for the check.

 

No problem there. But can we argue as to how intelligent his retirement was? He grabbed a bunch of money, invested it and never went broke. Good for him.

 

Spinks definitely looked afraid but along with that was an issue of it being a bad match up and utilizing a bad gameplan that did him in. You don't stand and trade with a fighter like Tyson. You have to tie him up when he gets close to you like Holyfield did for example. Spinks didn't have the size or strength to do it. Nor did he have that mindset. He probably thought he could stay in the pocket and land some heavy power shots to get Tyson's respect but instead Tyson walked right through him.

 

I don't believe Spinks ever thought he could win. Noway Jose. He'd made a comment or two previously that implied he was a bit in awe of Tyson. Not to say he didn't try but he was a deer in the headlights. He was massively outgunned. At heavyweight he was very industrious and skilled but he was getting hurt every time an old slowed up Holmes landed a half decent right hand and Holmes was never a puncher. Tyson hands and reflexes were lightning and he hit huge. No disrespect to Tyson but in hindsight it was a mismatch. That's actually a sizable compliment.

 

Kirk Johnson said the same things about Maskaev. He was visibly nervous and proceeded to knock Maskaev unconscious.

 

This. Spinks was damaged goods and knew it, so when the opportunity presented itself to cash out big against Tyson he did.

 

What's that got to do with my overall post? Olga had been stopped multiple times before he even fought Johnson and certainly wasn't akin to a rampaging unbeaten peak Mike Tyson that some saw as invincible.

 

Spinks destroying Cooney a year prior didn't look damaged to me.

I remember Spinks almost coming back for a tussle with Holyfield and a 3rd go with Holmes.

 

Bc it’s just a bull**** excuse for Spinks. If he’d timed Tyson in the first round, while nervous, he would’ve settled into a rhythm. Guys like Oscar De La Hoya started every fight nervously.

 

What excuse? That i don't believe he thought he could win? I made it clear he was extremely outgunned and just not in Tyson's class as a heavyweight. That IMO he knew Tyson was too much is a compliment.

Spinks was never going to time Tyson and settle into a rhythm - who are you trying to kid? He sure didn't time him in the real world. There's not a chance he was getting through the first 3 rounds. Tyson was just too good.

 

Well, Honestly. I remember Spinks always looking the way he did for a big fight. I will echo what others have said he came to fight he got bulldozed by a force of nature.