How would a Bob Foster versus Michael Spinks playout?

Give me Spinks by stoppage

 

Spinks had more uneven performances than Foster did in their primes, I think. I thought, as many did, that Spinks got edged by Eddie Davis and he had some trouble with Rivadeneyra and Marvin Johnson. Maybe I'm wrong, but I remember Foster sailing clean through his challengers until he got on the backside of his career. I suspect it would not be a barnburner though and Foster might win on points because he would press the action. I have more confidence in a prime Foster, but both put people into deep sleep with one shots so anything could happen.

 

Foster was very good and had the punch and tremendous size advantage as a LH. Much of his success however was because he had very thin competition in those days. Then in 80s they started televising LH matches on Saturday’s on network tv. They started making money and the talent followed. Had Foster fought in the eighties when there were so many good LHs he would have eventually taken some losses. One of them would have been against Spinks who could match him in size and was faster and more flexible.

 

I don't think many people thought David edged Spinks.

It was an off night for Spinks and a closer fight than expected.

But I think general concensus is that Spinks deserved to win a close decision I had it 7-5 Spinks.

Spinks knocked out Johnson in 4 rounds I think you're a bit harsh trying to discredit Spinks for that performance.

Johnson is a whirling dervish and always starts out very fast so it took sometime for Spinks to adjust.

Spinks still knocked him out with 1 punch in only 4 rounds.

As for Foster yes he had less struggles because he was in a far weaker Light Heavyweight era.

Who's the best Light Heavyweight that Foster actually fought ?

Foster did also have a lot of problems vs Finnegan that was a very tough fight for him.

 

Robert, you make fair points and you may well be right. Marvin was my coach for a year at the Indy PAL and I have a lesser opinion of his stature than others, to be sure. I was surprised he swept the first three rounds- not surprised he got cannonballed in the 4th....

 

I don't think that there is any doubt that each man can hurt the other. Spinks can certainly end the fight with one right hand, just as Foster can with a left hook. So there are things to consider.
In my opinion, Foster's angled stance will give Spinks issues. Foster will come to the center of the ring and claim it as his- again, I think this is a given- and use his jab. Spinks will have to move more, to try an get a line for his right hand. Foster has a very sharp right hand of his own and it will make Spinks think as he moves to his left. And Spinks will have to be very aware of the Foster left hook coming from a blind spot if he moves to his left.
It will be a battle of jabs, each guy plotting on how to set the other guy up for a kill shot. I think that, at times, it could be a tedious fight. But i think the ending will be sudden.

 

Foster didn’t have a lot of guys around that could match his frame. Spinks not only matches him size wise he’s more athletic and skilled as well. He ll be in do his damage and get out before Bob reacts. Foster was long quick and powerful so he ll land some. Spinks is a squirmy double jointed quick guy who ll roll with the punches or avoid him. Spinks can hurt Foster. Those skinny guys with the frames that belong in higher weight classes start powerfully but tend to wear down see T Hearns.
Spinks by late tko.

 

With Michael Spinks absolutely taking him apart and stopping him.

This would be similar to the Crawford vs Spence hype, in terms of people thinking it’s gonna be a fight for the ages, but it ends up being one-sided.

I can’t think of 1 thing Foster obviously does better than Spinks.

Spinks is quicker, more skilled, better punch selection, better mover, better counterpuncher, similar power, although Spinks proved his power further by hurting and stopping big men.

I believe Foster is held in high regard because he dominated an era, but it was a very weak era, and had he came around in another era, I believe he’d have dropped losses.

I believe the fact he lost to mediocre heavyweight does in indeed show us something more than most would think, because great fighters who move up 1 weight division are usually always able to beat the mediocre guys of the next weight up.

I believe Foster beats guys like Pastrano, Torres etc, but loses to guys like Qawi, Harold Johnson and even Mustafa Muhammad.

Prime for prime, Foster vs Galindez or Saad would be decent and hard fights to pick IMO, although I know most would pick Foster without hesitation.

 

Qawi was barely 5'6 and would struggle to get close to Foster. Foster had a jab strong enough to cut Muhammad Ali. His left hook is the single hardest left hook in light heavy history.

 

Curious why you think Foster belonged in a higher weight class? He never had trouble making 175 and often was well below that when defending his title. He weighed 180 when he fought Ali. Have you ever seen him fight?

 

It's also worth noting that Spinks stunned Qawi early in their fight and he made Qawi hesitant to come forward like he normally does.

If Spinks can get Qawi's respect then i definitely think Foster could get Qawi's respect with his power aswell.

Spinks also controlled Qawi with the jab and Foster had a very good jab himself.

I think Foster is a bit overrated but i'd favour him over Qawi. He has the power to neutralise his aggression and the size and jab to keep Qawi at arms bay.

 

I can only say that I think it would be a terrific fight. Both men having dangerous power to hurt the other with. If I had to choose a winner I’d probably go with Spinks as I feel he was more tactical than Foster was and perhaps even a bit more durable. No guarantees either way though

 

I'll lean to Spinks slightly at Lt. heavy , and all day at heavy.
Foster had the tools to give Spinks pure hell all night at Lt.
heavy, and would have a slightly below average chance of beating
him out right.
I'm giving Spinks a slight edge because he did face better
competition at Lt. heavy.
However physically it would be the first time Spinks would
face an opponent who would have a height and reach
advantage.
And the educated ,possibly most powerful jab in the
history of the Lt. heavyweight division, that would
keep him thinking defensive.
A battle of two of the hardest punchers in the divisions
history would keep both men cautious .
Personally, after thinking about it a bit,
I believe Foster wins a decision in a boring
fight.
At heavyweight, Spinks carried the weight much better
moved better and simply would out class Foster
at that weight.

 

Cause hes 6 3 1/2 and skinny as a rail as a LH. He had several attempts at fighting at heavy and he fought low or mid 180s but didn’t work because he wasn’t good enough and/or strong enough. He had great power as a LH but only good power as a heavy. Might have had more luck after he became Champ and challenged Ali and Frazier as cruiser.