Im sorta tossing up between Frank getting a mid round stoppage or Spinks getting on top of a tired Frankie late and edging enough early rounds to get a close decision. My gut says Frankie muscles his way to the stoppage more often then not...Spinks with the extra bulk and knee problems is less mobile and likely gets chopped down.
I think Bruno was near his prime at this stage, has a huge size advantage, massive puncher, great jab and right hand. I see him taking Spinks
Hm.....I see what you're saying. I just don't see Frank lasting with someone as classy as Spinks. The Spinks Jinx was not as effective at HW but if it landed on Frank and incapacitated for him I think there's every chance Mike could put him away. I'll for for Bruno stoppage rnd 5.
Spinks all the way. Bruno had the tools to give the best fiughters of his genaration serious problems but he was ultimately limited. Spinks would overcome some early adversity, use his ring smarts to frustrate Bruno, and close the deal late with a stoppage when Bruno ran out of gas.
Had this match taken place anytime around 1985-86, I would have picked Spinks. But, by 1988, his interest in the sport had taken a real plunge and was reduced to fighting only once per year. Bruno was about 5 years younger, and needless to say the more powerful of the two. It took some of the division's best punchers many rounds to finish off Bruno, who's conditioning and heart were well better than most. In 1988, I think Bruno wins a stoppage.
For Bruno the key is to rough Spinks up, let him feel his strength and basically bully him in there. Wear him down. Spinks needs to box and stay off the ropes. I feel Spinks is getting sold down the river a bit, because of the way he lost to Tyson. Bruno isn't Tyson and won't intimidate Michael the way Tyson did. He had seen better days by this point, but I think he was still better than he looked against Tyson. However, I do see Bruno's strength and power having an effect on Spinks in the later rounds. Spinks would probably do well in the earlier rounds, but Frank would slowly wear him down and take over. Still, I feel Spinks would be savvy enough to avoid serious punishment from the ponderous Bruno. Bruno by decision.
Well he was durable enought for Cooney. I don't think that power on its own is going to defeat him. You might also want to ask how Bruno would have fared against the version of Larry Holmes that Spinks beat.