Pound for pound Michael Spinks was a much better, more accomplished and more well rounded fighter. But I wouldn’t feel comfortable betting on him with that huge size disparity. Yeah I know, Fury was decked by an old Steve Cunningham, troubled by Otto Wallin and beaten by a 37 year old Usyk. I’m sure we’ll hear a lot of those references in this thread. But I just don’t know if Spinks can keep Fury off of him and rack up enough points to win a decisions. I could be wrong
“I never understood why he was being so courageous, standing in front of a big man like that.” Spinks commenting on Moorer’s bout with Foreman. I think this & the fight with the other Tyson help to illustrate Spinks’ heart wouldn’t be in this fight, with reflective results.
Spinks was a wonderful boxer-puncher but he wasn't a slickster who could outbox Fury, nor did he hit as hard as Usyk. P4P of course Spinks hit harder than Usyk but in actuality, i think Usyk has more force. Plus Usyk's southpaw left is something Fury can't anticipate whereas Fury would be able to see Spinks's punches. IMO Fury by decision. But the Spinks from the first Holmes fight can at least be semi competitive and steal some rounds. Ultimately, i think Fury will be able to hurt Spinks more than the other way around and win a competitive decision.
I'll be that guy but Fury does seem to struggle against the smaller skillful Heavyweights as you pointed out. I think Spinks would pose a tough stylistic fight for Fury. But if Fury is firing on all cylinders I see him being too big and too physical. Even an aging Holmes made Spinks uncomfortable when he was more aggressive in their 2nd fight which was out of character for him. Overall I think Spinks may drop Fury with his Spinx Jinx despite the size difference. But in the end Fury's physicality and size would be the difference.
I'm not so sure Spinks even at Heavyweight could hurt you I seem to recall Spinks sparring with Cobb and he commented on how hard Spinks hit.
I'd say this would be a boring fight with Spinks doing a lot of moving and ends with a decision no one likes.
A fit (if that is possible) Fury might be a slight favorite. But, this is not an un-winnable fight for Spinks. Even if I might disagree with the result in the second Holmes-Spinks fight, there is no question he was on very even terms with a slightly past prime Larry Homes. The same Larry Homes that beat Mercer and held a prime Holyfield pretty close YEARS later.
I usually prefer the better boxer in these fantasy matchups, and that is Michael Spinks by a country mile.