How do you guys think this fight would have gone if Spinks decided to challenge Holyfield for his CW titles after defeating Larry Holmes at HW?
I think the drop back down in weight would hurt spinks more to be honest. Similarly to Jones Jr v tarver. And that point evender wasn't taking prisoners so I see spinks trying to get a rhythm going but holy field crashing in. Can see him dropping spinks in the tenth with a sledgehammer of a right and spinks to dazed to climb up.
Let's just say the drop down in weight wouldn't affect him at all and it's as if he was coming up from LHW.
Both fighters had tough fights with Qawi. Spinks might have had more experience than Holy at that stage of their careers. Spinks wins by close split decision.
Spinks by decision. Michael was still formidable in 1987 and Evander still green. And 190 might have been an ideal weight for the jinks. Holy didn't have the style, power or intimidation factor to steam role Michael the way Tyson did and frankly I never thought Spinks showed up to fight that evening anyway.
Spinks on point. I agree that power and intimidation played a huge role. Look at Stewart for intense, put a great fight against Holyfield twice and Foreman, but clearly intimidated and scared of Tyson just like Spinks. Even Tyson admitted Spinks fight didnt test him much because he was too scared. When someone fight without fear, that's when they could give their best peformance. Holyfield doesnt possess one punch KO strength so I think Spinks will outbox him slightly. Perhaps 7-5 for Spinks.
And to be clear, If we were talking about these two men at their respective " heavyweight" bests then I'd go with Evander. But not in 1987 in a match arranged at under 200 lbs and when Holy had umpteen fights.
Yes, this thread is talking about 87 so I'd go for Spinks. Holyfield from early 90's or 96-99 would have beat Spinks.
Holyfield win. His speed and workrate were just too much. I don't think Spinks had the mobility to outbox that version of Holyfield.
I lean towards Spinks by decision but it's a tough one to pick That's a good point, Spinks's mobility and his knee problems. BA lot of the fight just depends on that I think.
Qawi hit Holyfield a lot more than he hit Spinks, and Qawi was jolted by Spinks right hand and was wary after that. I like Spinks , I believe he'd be harder to hit and his right hand would catch Evander. Spinks by UD. At Heavyweight? Holyfield