175 lb 1st Round-Mike Spinks vs Gene Tunney

I never thought Spinks looked good against a mover. Anything mobile he looked a bit ordinary (the Davis brothers). He really shone against those standing in front of him (Qawi, Lopez, Johnson). Tunney could move and box very well and was a real strategist. I'm going to go with Tunney over 12 comfortably. However, if it was over 15 I may have him only sneaking the decision with him looking a bit worse for wear. But that's the pick, Tunney over 12 rounds.

Scartissue

 

Tunney by a 12 round decision..as I said before.

 

As it's at lt heavy I'm gonna go for Spinks. Michael was one of the top men at light heavy for me and in a chess match he ekes out a close decision over Tunney.

 

Okay Fleaman here we are. I still haven't come up with anything conclusive. For my money Tunney was not esclusively a fighter in the mould of his performances against Dempsey. Tunney was a rugged boxer, when you see how he could counter with short ripping shots you see this, like against Carpentier etc, and if he hurt you, he would apply pressure to end matters, though not in a reckless manner. Spinks could be a pain in the arse for some boxers, not co-operating in agressing could be a major factor in this aspect of his game. One minute Spinks is moving around the ring all awkward, the enxt he has turned his man and is unloading with both hands in a corner, and he was very strong at the weight. Bith men have good power in the right hand, Tunney's more due to his well placed accurate blows, Spinks' was more raw. There will be a correct answer here, i'm just not sure if i know of it. You could say that both men arguably cancel each other out, someone will come out of his comfort zone and likely lose.

Tunney might just outspeed him, on the move and with flurries of short shots. Spinks might just annoy him, landing jabs and then turning it on when Tunney won't expect it.

I was just about to type that i'm leaning towards Spinks, but i think i'm leaning towards Tunney.

Be back soon.

 

We're waiting!

 

Haha, don't do that to me!

I want to pick Spinks, because of what you said, basically he was just so good at 175 pounds, effective as can be. Something like Carlos Monzon in that you might not admire the man's skillset as a pessimist of the man, but he was the king and a proven one.

But i might lean towards Tunney because he was a really great fighter and was faster for me overall. I reckon he might have SPinks coming out of his shell though and landing bombs. I'll go for Spinks, reluctantly.

Happy now?!!

 

Good man

 

A prime Michael Spinks could not beat a prime Gene Tunney at Light Heavyweight or Heavyweight...in my opinion. Gene would probably win a decision, but I wouldn't be surprised if Gene knocked Michael out.

 

i've been thinking about this one for a few days and as much as like spinks head to head at light heavy, gene tunney is one of the most techincally brilliant fighters ever. he's a student of boxing and much like hopkins, is terribly effecient and sound. not exciting, but effecient. spinks meanwhile has power, speed, awkwardness and versitility of his side. Tunney apparently had some trouble with the unexpected and that was spinks.

Tunney establishes his brilliant jab early and keeps spinks at his distance. Whenever spinks gets close, he ties him up, doing his best to neutralize his power. By the 4th however, spinks is timing gene and begins landing the right. Tunney, aware of the "Jinx" alters the timing of his jab and begins doubling it up.

Gene is picking up points but spinks is landing harder blows and finding their target more and more. Even when Tunney blocks his punches, he feels them. Tunney, having great success gets complacent and lets his intensity level and focus drop; Spinks takes advantage and slams home the right.

Up at 9 Tunney is content moving and jabbing his way to the final round. Spinks knowing the fight is slipping away goes for broke. Tunney rocks him with counters but during an exchange near the end of the round Spinks slams home another brilliant right and Tunney holds on to the final bell

Tunney UD 8-4

 

Tunney wins, outboxes Spinks jab jab.

 

Im going with Spinks.

I find it hard to picture how Tunney is simply going to dominate the taller man at range. When this man was one of the most awkwardly effective rangey fighters ever himself.

I think Gene is going to have to get inside and get rough with this one..Which he is more then capable of doing and I think its where he can actually better Spinks. By grinding him down at close range.
But you also have to remember that Spinks had a variety of unorthodox punches that could turn a fight on its head at close range.

This comes down to the jab for me...Spinks had a very tough one to deal with. It wasnt just any jab it was a lance, a very hard and long punch that didnt just keep people at bay..it hurt them.
And I have yet to see film of Tunney where he is taking on someone who could jab like Spinks.
He was fleet footed and a very cerebral fighter..but I just havent seen the video evidence that supports him being able to deal with a guy like Michael because I just have never seen him in there with a guy like him.

Tunney is a very smart, tough and versatile fighter...And I am 100% sure he would take at least one fight in a series..and that every fight they had would be a close affair.

But If Im boiling it down to one fight..Ill take Michael to frustrate and rock Gene enough to scrap by in a decision.
Gene was light years ahead of most of his opponents stylistically and in the skills department....but he is facing a guy who was at a similar stage...Just in another era.

 

this is a really good post:shock: and put much better than i could
spinks dec win