'88 Michael Spinks vs '99 Evander Holyfield

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MaccaveliMacc, Mar 17, 2025.

?

Who wins?

  1. Evander Holyfield PTS

    8 vote(s)
    34.8%

  2. Evander Holyfield KO/TKO

    9 vote(s)
    39.1%

  3. Michael Spinks PTS

    6 vote(s)
    26.1%

  4. Michael Spinks KO/TKO

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Page 1 of 2
  1. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2024
    Messages:
    6,908
    Likes Received:
    10,146
    The best Tyson's scalp vs the best Lewis' scalp. Both a bit past their prime, Spinks with shot knees and Evander with more mileage on the clock. Who wins and how?
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Mar 17, 2025
    #1
    cross_trainer and Fergy like this.
  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2007
    Messages:
    52,276
    Likes Received:
    27,863
    Spinks would have had the kills and the physical ability to win under those circumstances. The problem is that I just don’t think he had it in his heart to fight anymore
     
    mr. magoo, Mar 17, 2025
    #2
    Smoochie, Fergy, InMemoryofJakeLamotta and 3 others like this.
  3. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2024
    Messages:
    6,908
    Likes Received:
    10,146
    I always felt like saying Spinks fought Tyson only for the money and he didn't have it in him anymore is a bit harsh. He came to fight. Didn't move around much, like he used to, didn't try to box like Biggs or Tucker, but he wesnt out there and tried to trade with Tyson. He threw his famous Jinx, but Tyson saw it coming from the mile away. After that, he was just overmatched by a machine that Mike was back then. Again, it could be because his knees were past due and he couldn't box like he usually did, but still, he tried to fight.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Mar 17, 2025
    #3
    cross_trainer, Smoochie, Fergy and 3 others like this.
  4. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2012
    Messages:
    29,800
    Likes Received:
    20,244
    It wasn’t Spinks’ knees. Tyson closed the gap way too fast on him and forced him to fight. Spinks was throwing, but couldn’t time Tyson and Tyson made him pay. It’s not like the fight went into the middle or later rounds.
     
    NoNeck, Mar 17, 2025
    #4
    cross_trainer, Dorrian_Grey, Smoochie and 4 others like this.
  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2007
    Messages:
    52,276
    Likes Received:
    27,863
    He may have tried to briefly make a show but Spinks didn’t want to be in there. You could see it in his face. That and the fact that and it has been more than two years since facing a world class opponent
     
    mr. magoo, Mar 17, 2025
    #5
    steve21, cross_trainer, Greg Price99 and 3 others like this.
  6. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2021
    Messages:
    2,397
    Likes Received:
    3,820
    Michael Spinks was only 32 when he lost to Tyson. He wasn't an old man, he was psychologically intimated by Mike Tyson, more than anything. He wouldn't have had that mental fear vs other fighters, outside of maybe a peak George Foreman.
     
    MixedMartialLaw, Mar 17, 2025
    #6
    Turnip mk3 and cross_trainer like this.
  7. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2019
    Messages:
    8,758
    Likes Received:
    11,719
    Holy murders him in 5.
     
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Mar 17, 2025
    #7
  8. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2024
    Messages:
    4,728
    Likes Received:
    7,262
    Holyfield was too strong mentally for Spinks.
     
    Ice8Cold, Mar 17, 2025
    #8
  9. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2007
    Messages:
    52,276
    Likes Received:
    27,863
    Maybe. I’m not ready to make any “ emphatic “ predictions either way. But I think Evander is a slightly safer pick given that he was still capable of going rounds with Lennox Lewis in 1999 while Spinks looked like a man ready for a career change in 1988
     
    mr. magoo, Mar 17, 2025
    #9
    RulesMakeItInteresting and CharlieFirpo85 like this.
  10. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2012
    Messages:
    7,992
    Likes Received:
    3,978
    Holyfield is a favorite: wins close decision struggle
    Holyfield is an underdog: wins via KO
     
    slash, Mar 17, 2025
    #10
  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2017
    Messages:
    17,533
    Likes Received:
    12,944
    He fought Cooney and Taangstad
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Mar 17, 2025
    #11
  12. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2017
    Messages:
    17,533
    Likes Received:
    12,944
    Fixed
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Mar 17, 2025
    #12
  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    32,466
    Likes Received:
    40,663
    Top answer Here.
    Spinks by 88 is pretty much going to get hammered here.
    I don't think he'd have mobility to keep Holyfield off him.
    Holy definitely had more at this point than Spinks.
    I'm not sure Michael gets past the fifth round.
     
    Fergy, Mar 18, 2025
    #13
    mr. magoo likes this.
  14. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    32,466
    Likes Received:
    40,663
    I agree.
    It's not going far imo.
     
    Fergy, Mar 18, 2025
    #14
  15. Macedoine62

    Macedoine62 Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2023
    Messages:
    2,905
    Likes Received:
    2,108
    Holyfield by decision
     
    Macedoine62, Mar 18, 2025
    #15
    drenlou and InMemoryofJakeLamotta like this.
Page 1 of 2