Michael Spinks vs Dwight Braxton - Underrated Classic

This fight has been posted on Youtube by WayneBedfre. I hadn't seen this fight in years and thought it was much better than my recollection (I've only watched up thru 11 so far). I didn't realize the amount of heavy shots thrown in this fight. Only the defensive skills of each fighter prevented a knockout. Awesome use of the jab by Spinks. Better pace than I'd recalled. Spinks head movement DURING his jab is impressive for a man that size. Check it out, good fight.

 

Spinks put on a technical masterclass in this one. There were times when he actually looked graceful for a change. The slip of the head he used after each jab was just beautiful to watch and executed to perfection.

 

Agreed. My only complaint about the fight is that Braxton/Qawi followed too much and didn't go to the body enough. But I just think Spinks took some starch out of him with that constant jab and heavy shots throughout the fight.

 

I always thought it was a better and more competitive fight than it often gets credit for myself. It wasn't the all-our "war" many people were expecting and therefore was widely seen as a disappointment, but I thought it was fought at a fairly brisk pace, and Dwight's constant pressure and Spinks' punch variety made it interesting throughout.

 

Classic? Only in build-up......... I saw and taped this bout in March of '83 off of regular HBO, and prior to the fight / unification, I was drooling from the mouth...... But this fight proved more tactical and somewhat lackluster compared to the initial hype........ Spinks boxed and used his height and reach like a master, while Qawi jacked-off with a half-hearted attempt at pressuring Spinks........ The bout went all 15 rds and really lacked any fireworks..... Spinks easily won 9 or 10 rds..... I rarely review this tape anymore....... Yawn.......

MR.BILL

 

A fight doesn't have to be Chacon/Limon like to be a classic tho Bill. Sometimes the true value is in the subtleties, if we can see them.

Anyways, this fight should always include mention of the godlike Eddie Futch. He devised a fantastic gameplan for Spinks and he followed it to perfection. Who would have thunk Spinks would all but shelf his titanic right hand in order to reduce Qawi's opportunites and negate one of his great moves.

 

It was a classic display but a boring, disappointing fight from an entertainment perspective ... huge build up but a bit of a yawner ...

 

Agreed, but attribute that to the brilliance and effectiveness of Spinks tactics. Who would have dreamed he could have nullified Braxton's offense so easily.

Also, Spinks landed a big right hand early that put some serious respect into Dwight.

 

There is a reason this fight is never brought up. It sucks

 

Spinks was dominant with that jab for 15 rounds and executed a beautiful fight plan. I wouldn't expect you to appreciate that. Much credit to Braxton for not getting sparked out by Spinks strong and persistent jab. Lesser fighters have gotten sparked by lesser jabs.

 

Johnny,

I know that, but this fight was being hyped as a barn-burner where somebody was destined to get KTFO! Nobody had a clue this fight would be so tactical and a yawner........ I remember by round 8 or 9, I was asking myslef when the hell is the action gonna heat up....... It never did.......

MR.BILL:bbb

 

Ooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Snap!! :rofl

 

I didn't even catch that until this response.

 

"Down goes Norris, what a shocker!"

 

Somewhere in the early rounds. Spinks knocked the sh*t out of Braxton with the Jinx.

Braxton said: "Ok, let's just box from now on".