Michael Spinks vs. Mike Weaver in 1982 … it could have happened

Spinks may have outpointed a rusty Weaver. Weaver was slow on his feet and Tillis made him look silly at times with his foot speed. Tillis gassed or he probably would have won. Spinks proved later on he could use funky movement to disrupt a fading Holmes.

Spinks would have to gain the weight the right way and devise a good strategy like he did later against Holmes.

Lewis may have been looking for big bucks since the Saad unification fight fell through and a unification fight with the newly established Braxton wasn't on the cards yet.

Weaver won the title by knocking out John Tate in March 1980. He knocked out Coetzee in his first defense. Weaver holding the title for 2 years and 9 months losing in only his third defense may be normal now but back then that was some freakish inactivity.

 

Spinks had the skill and movement to win, but Weaver had the power to starch Spinks. Much like how Tyson starched him in 88. But Weaver wasn't as fast or skilled as a young Mike Tyson.

 

Spinks is cute and steals the early rounds. By the fourth Weaver is beginning to lob big shots and they start landing in the fifth, completely tossing out Spinks' spastic rhythm. He tries holding more as the 6th opens, but Weaver is much bigger and stronger, a natural heavyweight, and during one of his little breaks Michael ends up getting nailed by a monster hook.

Spinks panics and is subsequently made unconscious in 6.

 

Thanks mate!

 

Spinks puts on a clinic, Weaver has slow feet and is a plodder. His only shot is a looping bomb. As always because of the Tyson fight people assume Spinks has a tissue paper chin, Larry Holmes got home some good shots in both their fights and Spinks managed to make it thru there. Cooney got blown through like a giant punching bag but since agendas seem to always go against Michael Spinks he gets absolutely zero credit for destroying Cooney. It is what it is. I think he makes Weaver look silly quite frankly and I like Weaver. He just will be looking for a knockout against a fighter that’s just not going to be there, a fighter that’s going to constantly break his rhythm, Spinks was the ultimate rhythm breaker. In Spinks, Weaver is fighting a fighter that he’s not going to know what angle he’s attacking from, Maybe he leaps in with a hook, maybe strait right hand. Spinks is technically proficient behind the jab, but his own awkwardness is a huge advantage in all of his fights, he’s also a fighter who’s fitness level is on another level so he’s not going to fade. Now Weaver could catch him. Carl Williams was absolutely piecing Weaver up and got caught and it was over with shortly after 3 knockdowns. But I don’t think Butch Lewis was in the habit of placing his charge in fights that he couldn’t win (forget the Tyson fight that was going to be his final fight, It was basically a cash out, and just too much money to not accept) so I’m sure if they were considering fighting Weaver, Eddie Futch had the game plan that would see him to victory. I’ll take Spinks by a WIDE decision. Happy holidays all.

 

Spinks was more talented and skilled. But Mike weaver was strong and persistent and could be dangerous all the way into the championship rounds. Coming from behind to stop a very good boxer and big man in John Tate in the 15th is one such instance that comes to mind. I’m not totally sure how this fight ends

 

I think you might be the only person who hates Spinks as much as Larry Holmes lol. Have you ever picked him in a mythical fight!? It’s funny because by saying Weaver would stop him early is extremely surprising because even though I know you think Holmes won the second fight, that version of Holmes in my opinion is much better than any version of Weaver. Happy Holidays dude, we at the Michael Spinks fan club Forgive you.

 

I LOVE Michael at light heavyweight, quite possibly top 3 ATG in that division.

I don't think much of any of Spinks' victories in thae heavyweight division, the only prime heavyweight he fought was Tyson, unless you count Steffan as anything but a joke defense.

No offense to fans. Really.