This is a good one. Usyk is a southpaw and an ATG at cruiser, but he wasn't a Tysonesque puncher, so don't look for a 91 second 1st round KO. I just don't know how Spinks handles an ATG southpaw. He did flatten Marvin Johnson. I think Usyk may edge out a decision.
I have to agree with this. At the time Spinks moved up Cruiser was at a 190/195lb limit depending on the sanctioning body and was pretty much an afterthought. Much as I rate Holmes, 2 razor thin victories against past-prime Larry plus wins over Tangstad and Cooney isn't enough of a resume outside of 175 to make me think Spinks could beat Usyk. Usyk by decision over 12 or 15.
Usyk has been so much more successful at the higher weight than Spinks was, he's proven himself clearly. Much as I respect the Jinx, he ain't beating Usyk. Spinks may find himself struggling to avoid been kod in this fight!
At 199 lbs Michael Spinks dethroned Larry Holmes for the linear heavyweight title ( albeit Holmes was 35. ) I can see some very good reasons for picking Usyk at or around that weight but it might not be a forgone conclusion. They’d be comparable in size and Spinks would be the younger of the two men but still with more professional ring experience. And Michael was awkward. It would be interesting