Could the best version of Roy Jones Jr. make weight and whup the Larry Holmes Michael.Spinks did?

To me this isn't too much of a match. RJJ was typically far more orthodox in his style than MS. So, unless he brings the kind of radical change in tactics Spinks brought to the Holmes fight, he gets stopped in the late rounds.

 

I don't think this as foregone a conclusion like others here have opined. Larry had lost more than a few steps by the time he fought Spinks. And, it really showed in that first fight. Jones had really fast feet, a clearly unorthodox style, and blinding hand speed. Although he doesn't have the power to hurt Holmes too badly, he hits hard enough that Larry wouldn't just walk through his punches without any respect. Obviously, if Larry caught Jones with a big uppercut it could be lights out. But, Larry was having a hard time pulling the trigger against Spinks. I think he would find Jones similarly frustrating, and a close decision win for Jones is not out of the question. I would still Make Holmes the favorite. But, with hindsight of knowing how poorly Larry fought that night, I would make the odds no worse than 3/1 for Roy. Prime for prime, Larry stops Jones.

 

Was Holmes ever really complacent? After all, we're talking about a proud fighter who always had a HUGE chip on his shoulder.

 

Well there was certainly a visible difference in his energy in the spinks rematch.

 

No.

 

No Spinks was naturally bigger and better than Jones, and Holmes on his worst day is better than John Ruiz.

 

I think Roy would whip both of them

Surely Roy Jones can deal with a left jab from an old man. Larry's right is too slow in coming and wont reach Roy who is used to dealing with much quicker opponents

Whatever Mike Spinks can do, Roy Jones does better