Rocky Marciano Vs Mike Spinks

The Spinks that beat Holmes and became the first light heavyweight champ to win the heavyweight title though many had tried before was a solid 200 pounds. He did that by working with a nutriionist Mackie Shilstone who became famous from this success. After this other fighters attempting to move up in weight class used him and then athletes from many different sports became his clients due to his unprecedented success in this area. At 6 2 1/2 and a solid 200 pounds and lightening quick poor Rocky not standing a chance. Holmes was still a great champ had maybe slowed a tad but Spinks moved in and out on him and Holmes couldnt catch up.
I was at the Cooney Spinks fight at the convention center in Atlantic City. Cooney couldn't see the punches coming Spinks was so fast. Of course Gentleman Gerry went down to maybe his worst defeat.
I love Rocky but hes in over his head here. Spinks is 13 pounds heavier yet still much faster then Rocky and too tall too long a reach too flexible too powerful. Oh lets throw in his skin was much more reslient to cutting then Rocky's.
They come to the center of the ring for instructions and everyone is shocked Rocky looks much smaller then Spinks who we thought was just a light heavy?! Rocky comes out and is fighting hard bravely and lands a few punches but Spinks is moving away then suddendly attacking viciously with slashing punishing shots and then hes gone again. Rocky keeps punching but can't land solid shots and cant stop half Mikes blazing punches. A few rounds into this Rocky looks like he went though a meat grinder but he wont quit and keeps getting up. 5th round the ref finally stops the slaughter.

 

Spinks hasn't got the chin at heavyweight to beat The Rock.

 

Rocky had a hard time putting away a 206 lbs chubby Cockell who was right there to be hit you think hes going to be successful against a 200 lbs stud like Spinks who is a speedster? Rocky wont be able to hardly hit him and when he does not squarely. This is a classic case of the evolution of the game. It would be a very one sided fight to the shock of the nostalgia crowd.

 

Mike by UD. If past prime Ezzard Charles can go to distance with Rocky, Spinks who beat Holmes and Cooney can win the fight.

 

Tough fight for Marciano. I'm torn if whether Spinks should come in at 200 or maybe 180-190 for more speed and mobility. I suspect Marciano eventually stops him

 

If Spinks does not freeze it may take until a few rounds for the power and pressure of Marciano to take hold.

Spinks was a great 175lb Champion, but body shots and awkward head shots would fold Michael. Michael in his 1st heavyweight fight beat a still live Holmes but Michael had the right hand which was Larry's kryptonite and Tyson showed us with both Holmes and Spinks what right hands could do.

Marciano was a slower starter, but the result would be the same. Marciano by KO before 10

 

nighty night, Michael.

 

You have to have both boxers good chances but I'd lean towards Spinks.

Marcianio wasn't a real heavyweight though, he's the same size as Spinks. Spinks is easily bigger and stronger than Charles and Moore. With arguably more speed advantages

Spinks win over Holmes is better than any of Marciano's wins

 

What makes you think that Spinks was easily stronger than Charles or Moore? Why do you think his strength, relative to those two guys, is relevant to a fight with Marciano?

 

Marciano wasn't a real heavyweight yet he was the world/lineal heavyweight champion for multiple years and half a dozen defenses. He nor none of his opponents were restricted by any weight ceiling that they couldn't surpass. It was the open division and he beat the best that was offered. But yeah he wasn't a real heavyweight lol

Spinks was no bigger than Charles, in reality. He may have weighed a bit heavier after his program to get heavier but Charles would have been no different. Spinks was a natural light heavyweight who peaked at light heavyweight and whom made the poundage with ease. He hadn't weighed over 174 for years. He came in at 170 1/2 in his second last defense there.

Spinks win over Holmes is better than the vast majority of wins ever. That's hardly rocket science. Of course that doesn't mean Marciano wouldn't knock Michael out or that he could have have beaten the tired Holmes that Spinks beat.

 

That's the sort of narrow minded view that is all too common in here. Narrow in on one fight and try and make it the be all and end all. It's madness and hardly unexpected.

Spinks is the stud? Marciano and his suitcase full of vibes would run rings around him. He's not in the same stratosphere.

 

I'm surprised you believe this. Tyson was the only man to ever stop Spinks and he was clearly shot at that point. Holmes couldn't even drop him in 30 rounds of fighting.

I won't argue with anyone that thinks Rocky will win, but Spinks did not have a bad chin. I personally think prime Ezzard Charles would have beaten Rocky just like I think prime Spinks would as well. Both had the speed that woukd trouble Rocky and the defensive abilities/chin to hold out. The Charles that lost to Rocky was far from the best version of him.

 

I believe it because Spinks was rocked numerous times across two fights against Holmes. Holmes was never a puncher but some of the snap had gone out of his right hand. Holmes lacked the youth and vigor to follow up, and, well, Spinks was extremely canny as well. thought he had a great chin at 175 but not heavyweight. Marciano hits substantially harder than Holmes and he'd put more pressure on. Charles took plenty of big shots off Marciano in the first fight.

Marciano would work over Spinks body as well. Spinks isn't going 15 rounds without copping some big punches and i see him getting stopped TBH. That's my take. Marciano cops a lot of criticism but he knew how to win and was extremely punishing to fight. He had some really good avenues to both head and body, hit hard and was incredibly tenacious.

 

Fair enough. I like Marciano as a fighter but I think his fights with Charles would have been much different if they were earlier in Ezzard's career. I think 85' Spinks would have too much speed for Rocky but we will never know for sure.

 

Agreed.

The other thing I do not like about Spinks---especially against this guy---is his tendency to fight about 90 or 120 seconds a round. He was one of the best at conserving energy and limiting his output. Not happening against Rocky. He will have to fight 180 seconds a round. And Rocky does things like throw hard shots to the biceps and shoulders. By design. Not missing a punch like lots of folks think---the intent is to hit that bicep for 7 rounds. Not a skill seen in recent times & the effect of that is huge.

Do not see Mike Spinks handling that at all. Relentless. Once those hands drop & having too absorb body shots from this guy.......I think the result is academic.