175: James Toney vs Michael Spinks

A motivated, in shape and ready to fight Toney wins it. The Toney we usually got to see loses by decision.

 

Explain to me how Toney beats Spinks.

Be as detailed as you like, I have all night.

 

My main reason for picking A-Force is simple: fighters are never the same after stepping in the ring with SNV. Barrett, Chagaev, Holyfield, Liakhovich, SNV didn't just destroy them, he took away their soul. Haye will never be the same again. It might not have shown in his last fight, but then he was up against a man (Ruiz) who had dared to face Sugar twice, I'm amazed he was given a license to box. Audley has never been face to face with the natural talent, speed, power and crunkercuts of Sugar Nicky V,he hasn't yet suffered the permanent damage Haye has endured.

 

spinks wins the fight by keeping toney on the outside.toney would have success in spurts, but it wouldn't be enough. wide UD for spinks.

 

Spinks by decision. I'd like to hear someone argue for any other outcome.

 

Spinks has every advantage when the styles are put side by side.

He's just as quick of hand, and his straight punches from the outside were very, very sharp. Something Montell Griffin gave Toney hell with.

He hit harder, in my opinion, with his right hand. People talk about Toney being a huge banger, but at 175+, I don't tend to think so. Spinks ICED folks with his right hand. Hurt very good fighters with it, and actually scored stoppages at heavyweight.

His skillset readily neutralizes Toney's.

He'd jab and keep Toney out, as other fighters have done. He'd use the force in his right hand to keep James off balance, use his underrated movement to avoid the firefighting scenario's James would be looking. He could also fight a bit inside, which would keep him safe when Toney caught up to him.

This is Michaels fight.

 

You know, I admire this Haye so much for stepping in to the toughest fight of the division the way he did, regardless of having to run so much (I sure would've ran!)...too bad it may have destroyed him. :-(

 

Spinks was more consistent and a real great. Toney would not be able to do much with Spinks at 175.

 

I don't like Toney's chances, even if he brings his "A" game. Spinks was a terrific, versatile fighter who had no problems stinking out the joint if it meant increasing his chances to win. That's probably what happens here. Toney's dream is an aggressive fighter who comes forward and leaves openings for his brilliant counterpunching. Spinks was tall, rangy, and could use the ring behind his terrific jab and awkward movement. Toney's less effective chasing an opponent, although he did do it successfully at times, this is one of the 5 greatest light-heavyweights we're talking about in Spinks.

Spinks by decision.

I would like to have seen Toney in that terrific LHW era of the late 70s/early 80s though. Although he didn't have that much success at 175, you can look at how well he did at 168 (with more time to make the weight). It would've been interesting to see him take on the likes of Saad, Qawi, Johnson, etc..

 

the same toney that got outboxed my montell griffin twice?

 

:yep Great post. Man people overlook Spinks so much from his loss to Tyson, but the more you look at his fights, either LHW or HW, the guy was a master and convinces me he was something special. He did everything very well, offense, defense, for being a tall guy he did fight on the inside pretty good when he had to and aside from throwing endless jabs, he had some serious power from his left, not just his "Spinks Jinx". He is one of the few fighters I think would outsmart Toney and had too many physical advantages also. Aside from Donald Curry and Ricardo Lopez, Spinks is one of the technical modern greats IMO and if I was bringing up a fighter I'd show them fights of Spinks, without the Tyson fight of course. It's good to see a big man with skills and Spinks had too much for even Toney. I wouldn't be surprised if he dropped Toney along the way on a decision win.

 

toney was not a good light heavyweight.....hes a good fighter obviously but he never accomplished anything at 175, he had alot of wins at light heavy...but a 40 year old mccallum who he had beat already years ago at middle, losses to griffin , lost to thad drazzi. and beat about 10 club fighters with 13 fights on the win record....spinks beats his ass at 175

 

You will be waiting a while....

 

Michael Spinks had a hard time with Eddie Mustafa who fights similar defensively as Toney except that Toney has more skills.Eddie is the harder puncher and has the stiffer jab but except for that, Toney has the better skills and eges in speed, technique, defense, combinations. Spinks would have a hard time comnnecting cleanly on Toney.


I see this as a close fight. Toney will land clean hard shot counter shots while Spinks will be busier moving in and out.

When in shape, Toney was a terrific light heavyweight. He should have won his two fights with Griffin even though he was not at his best. Griffin really is a small guy who has a particular style, you can't compare him to anybody.