Interesting one. Even though I would rate Michael higher in an all-time list,as I feel he would either beat more,or do better against other titilists than his brother would,I reckon that Leon would win in a H2H scenario. Spinks senior would outwork Michael over 12 or 15.
If they had to fight, the only chance Leon would have is perhaps the mental edge of being the elder brother. Otherwise, Michael rides an early storm of aggression for two or three round and easily controls the fight, culminating in a stoppage around the 9th.
Michael a bit too savvy, surely? Neon Leon's pebbledash approach was fun and worked well against an Ali that had some quality left but little quantity. But you'd expect Michael to be too skilled and sharp.
In a jovial mood the morning after his first match with Holmes, Mike was asked in a televised interview about the prospect of a match against Leon. The younger Spinks mentioned that the last time the two brothers got into a scrap, the elder one got the best of it, so Michael jokingly quipped it might be time for some payback. Michael was smarter, more skilled and better disciplined, while Leon was a better natural athlete with tremendous heart when at his fleeting very best. Assuming brotherly psychology plays a role, Leon would enjoy a significant intangible advantage here. Without reviewing their heavyweight title winning performances in their entireties, I'm not comfortable hazarding a guess as to how this would turn out. I'd also want to see Leon's TKO win over Mercado, easily the most impressive stoppage he produced against any heavyweight.
i think that michael could of beaten ali that fought leon 2 times. leons head movement and non stop style i think would play to michaels hands....interesting match up tho...usually brothers or at least relations usually grow and train in the same gym or have the other guy to idolise. so they fight similarly. yet the spinks are an odd mix. leon spinks pitless stamina brawler worker, michael spinks the moving jabbing awkward agile boxer, corey spinks all out non stop balls out rohypnol.
There is definately something to be said for having the psychological edge of being an elder sibling as well as the claim to having fought most of one's career at heavyweight. Outside of these factors however, Michael was clearly the better of the two brothers. He was more consistent, better trained on average, had a wider array of skills, and was even the taller of the two Spink's. So who would win? Difficult to say. Given that these two most likely grew up sparring regularly with one another, the element of surprise would probably be a non-entity. My inclination is to go with Michael, but who knows.
Michael would win a very narrow decison against Leon, his skillset being the difference in the fight.
Yeah very interesting that the Spinks brothers had such different and equally unique styles which you described well. Michael was very awkward but I think that worked to his advantage you never really knew what punch or punches were coming, he was much more polished than Leon I believe. Leon had heart and was relentless but he didn't have the power or style I don't believe to really trouble Michael. I see Michael winning a lopsided UD
Leon knew his brother better than anyone so who's to tell. Leon had more experience at heavyweight so he has the edge in my opinion.
