Is Michael Spinks a greater fighter than Marvin Hagler?

That's because it is so close Jel. Much of it falls down to how you rate his win over Holmes to win the lineal heavyweight title.

I think it's a teeny bit unfair to compare his fall from grace to Hagler's as Spinks was in there against one of the greatest and hardest hitting heavyweights in history a long long way above his best weight and division. I'm actually trying to think of a light heavyweight (vs Hagler) to throw forward as an example comparative to Tyson for Spinks but there's no-one that brutal and furious in the ranks.

 

Yes the loyalty is admirable, I agree. From what I've read, Hagler's trust and loyalty weren't easily won so it took a long time to build that up. Once the trust was in place, Hagler definitely listened to his corner.

I think had Hagler's corner told him against Duran, 'you're waiting for him to lead, but you need to lead' or against Leonard, 'you're losing rounds, switch to southpaw', I think he would have listened and made adjustments. But I don't believe he ever got that advice.

I just can't imagine Eddie Futch not telling Hagler to make those in-fight tactical adjustments in those fights.

 

I think the crux of it is, they were very good trainers, but not as good corner men. It doesn't always mix.

 

Absolutely agree mate.

 

I rate Spinks higher

Say what you want about the scorecards, but him beating Holmes twice is greater than anything Hagler accomplished in his career

I know many sh1t on Spinks for Tyson, but a lighter guy fighting that animal, during that time, was always a recipe for disaster

 

I don't think so. They both dominated rather weak divisions for many years. Yeah, Mike did beat a badly fading Holmes. So, maybe a slight edge. But, I'd say about even.

 

The author of the OP has a strong argument!

 

Weak? What was weak about Spinks's LHW division? Or Hagler's MW division?

 

After he unified it was very weak the last two years of his reign.

Saad was shot. Mustafa couldn't make weight for the rematch. Johnson had to rebuild. Qawi couldn't make 175 and moved up.

Eddie Davis was solid and was the only dangerous opponent Spinks faced at 175 post Qawi.

Before facing Dwight, all his defenses we're against retreads, some of whom had already lost to Saad. (Vonzel Johnson, Murray Sutherland) or never weres like Mustafa Wassaja and Jerry Celestine. I guess Johnny Davis was kind of decent.

 

I wouldn't say Holmes was badly fading. He still edged a young Witherspoon and Williams. And he was undefeated. I think he was on the downside but barely. He was not being challenged much and he wanted that big fight.. I think part of his problem is he underestimated Spinks. Yet give Spinks credit for going 15 , even the second time when Holmes knew what he was getting.

 

Why in the heck would you throw Obel in this mix?

Look up “soft touch” in the WBA mandatory dictionary and you’ll see his name TWICE.

 

Winning the worlds hwt championship alone trumps anything Hagler ever did as middleweight. Plus Spinks was the only light hwt champion ever to do so. This put Mike in a totally different and higher category than Hagler.

 

True

 

I put Spinks ahead skillwise maybe in that he could go higher in adapting. But like I said, Hagler might have the edge in career. His claim to fame is the Hearns fight. He was hit with a pretty solid punch and he was rocked and then cut later and kept coming with Hearns landing over and over. That is what he will forever be known for.. That fight. That will to win to get respect. He put his all into that fight knowing that if he won that would be what he would be remembered for. Remember, at that point he didn't think he would ever get Leonard. This was everything. This is a tough call because both were so solid. Hagler never wanted a part of Michael. Who can blame him.

 

You do have a point. The true test of the greatest of fighters is just that. .....in a tough fight against the toughest of opposition you rise to the occasion and refuse to lose. Hagler showed this in numerous battles.

Conversely however what Michael did to win the true worlds hwt championship as the former light hwt champion is a huge deal. He stands alone in this regard. There was no quit in Michael Spinks for sure but he did not exhibit this attribute to the degree of Hagler.

Your point does make this a close call.