Ali vs Spinks - Who would have won a deciding rubber match?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Ken Ashcroft, Feb 16, 2019.


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  1. Ken Ashcroft

    Ken Ashcroft Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Leon won the first fight in Feb 1978 in a huge upset and Ali became the first 3 times heavyweight champ by winning the rematch in sept 78. He then officially announced his retirement the following year in jul 79 but what if he had decided to fight on and signed up for a deciding rubber match against Spinks in late 79 or early 1980. Who would have come out on top in their trilogy had it happened then?
     
    Ken Ashcroft, Feb 16, 2019
    Ken Ashcroft, Feb 16, 2019
    #1
  2. Vince Voltage

    Vince Voltage Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If Leon wasn't drinking and drugging, got totally in shape and determined --as he was in the first fight-- he should win. That's a big 'if', though.
    You also need to clarify if Leon's flattening by Gerrie Coetzee is part of this scenario, as that happened in June of '79.

    It would have been a terrible fight, as neither guy had much to offer by that point.
     
    Vince Voltage, Feb 16, 2019
    Vince Voltage, Feb 16, 2019
    #2
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  3. Ken Ashcroft

    Ken Ashcroft Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I would have in this scenario, given encouragement of a possible announcement of a third fight with Ali, Leon not going through with the fight against Coetzee in jun 79.
     
    Ken Ashcroft, Feb 16, 2019
    Ken Ashcroft, Feb 16, 2019
    #3
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  4. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali, since Leon became a junkie after the 1st fight and was pretty much ruined as a fighter.
     
    Jackomano, Feb 16, 2019
    Jackomano, Feb 16, 2019
    #4
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  5. Ken Ashcroft

    Ken Ashcroft Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Well, Spinks did have some good wins after the Coetzee defeat that would led to a title shot against Larry Holmes in 1981.
     
    Ken Ashcroft, Feb 16, 2019
    Ken Ashcroft, Feb 16, 2019
    #5
  6. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Whoever fought the winner and Ali`s Parkinson`s really kicked in during the gap between his bout with Spinks to the Holmes disaster.
     
    mark ant, Feb 16, 2019
    mark ant, Feb 16, 2019
    #6
  7. sweetsci

    sweetsci Well-Known Member Full Member

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    If it happened during the first half of 1979 I'd pick Ali. The last half of 1979 is pick 'em for me. January 1980 on, it's Spinks.

    If, say, Holmes had pulled out of the Ali fight at the last minute and Don King set up Ali-Spinks III as a replacement on that October 1980 night, the Spinks of that night's Mercado fight easily defeats the Ali of the Holmes fight.
     
    sweetsci, Feb 16, 2019
    sweetsci, Feb 16, 2019
    #7
  8. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I can't see a rubber match happening though. By 1979 Holmes, Norton, Shavers, Coetzee, Kalli Knoetze, John Tate, Mike Weaver, Stan Ward, even a still green Gerry Cooney would have easily beaten both Ali and Leon Spinks.
     
    GoldenHulk, Feb 16, 2019
    GoldenHulk, Feb 16, 2019
    #8
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  9. sweetsci

    sweetsci Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yeah, as I recall there was no call for a third fight after New Orleans. Everybody knew about Spinks' troubles and how he blew the rematch, while Ali was going to ride off into the sunset (oh, if only...).
     
    sweetsci, Feb 17, 2019
    sweetsci, Feb 17, 2019
    #9
  10. jowcol

    jowcol Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree; wouldn't have paid a penny to see it.
     
    jowcol, Feb 18, 2019
    jowcol, Feb 18, 2019
    #10
  11. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I can't see Ali getting himself up for another 15 round fight by then .So it wouldnt be a massive shock for me ,for Leon to get another decision over him. Depending on if Spink s can get himself sorted out of course ...
     
    Fergy, Feb 19, 2019
    Fergy, Feb 19, 2019
    #11
  12. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

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    with the hindsight we have now, its unsettling to be even considering it for a Parkinsonians patient.
     
    HerolGee, Feb 19, 2019
    HerolGee, Feb 19, 2019
    #12
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  13. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Probably Spinks by a hair.
     
    Titan1, Apr 20, 2019
    Titan1, Apr 20, 2019
    #13
  14. joebeadg

    joebeadg Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I think Leon would get up for the third fight and beat ali, maybe even KO
     
    joebeadg, Apr 20, 2019
    joebeadg, Apr 20, 2019
    #14
  15. steve1990

    steve1990 Active Member Full Member

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    If Spinks was to get into good shape he would've beaten Ali pretty decisively maybe by a late stoppage. If he didn't it Ali might be able to squeeze out a decision. This would be the worst heavyweight trilogy next Holyfield vs Ruiz.
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2019
    steve1990, Apr 20, 2019
    steve1990, Apr 20, 2019
    #15
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