ATG LHW Tourney - Round 1 - Michael Spinks vs Harold Johnson

This is amazing style clash. Johnson is one of the most texbook boxers in division history and his jab is matched only by Loughran in my opinion. On the other side,we have unorthodox Spinks with terrific power and athleticism who also didn't lack in skills department.

Can't wait to see more opinions about this one.

 

Spinks looks bad but comes away with a disputed decision. He will give the impression of doing more than the insular Johnson.

 

Mike wasn't as textbook as Harold but that's one of his strengths as he was so awkward, herky jerky and unorthodox. Harold wins the early rounds especially with his jab as Mike needs a couple to wake up. But as the fight goes on, Mike who is no slouch in the jab department himself, takes control and stops Harold in about 12. Power is the difference here.

 

Great matchup hear between two ATG's! I have to go with Spinks and his versatility. Johnson gives him a hell of a fight though.

 

Textbook is the perfect way to describe Harold's style. Cheers Man

 

Two scenarios: The one @salsanchezfan described, where Spinks looks bad but manages to eke out a disputed win based on activity and harder punching. The other involves Spinks being troubled early, but eventually realizing that Johnson hasn't the power to keep him at bay and eventually manages to take him out circa round 10.

Kind of favor the second option.

Spinks KO 10.

 

Great admirer of Harold and I want to find a way to pick him here...But I think I've got to go with Spinks - just. Both great technicians, Johnson obviously a little bit smoother and more textbook. Spinks was a slow starter at times and Johnson was a hard guy to measure, so I could see Johnson building a bit of a lead in the first half of the fight. But Spinks had more of a physical presence about him, was willing to abandon his style if it wasn't working and rough it out. He also had the bigger, more proven punch at the highest level. I see that ultimately winning the day for him and I think he stops Johnson very late, with little between them on the cards when he does.

 

I pick Spinks by KO. Would be a great much but Spinks is too athletic.

 

Johnson won't let Spinks operate at that comfy distance he loves and take his constant breathers. I think he does a much better job than Davis did fighting a similar kind of fight---throwing tons of combos and forcing Spinks into a bout where he is outsmarted and outslicked.

And I think Spinks misses a ton of his punches against the Johnson defense. gets countered effectively and goes into a shell. So after like 3 or 4 rounds, Spinks is fighting in that 2nd gear of his. Biggest concern would be the house fighter concerns and Spinks winning a crappy decision in a distance bout.

 

Johnson for a close close decision.

 

Spinks isn’t more athletic then Johnson

 

Great styles match up! It’s a 50/50 fight. Spinks is considered as arguably the best LHW and for good reason since he was never beaten in that class. But Johnson has also fought and beat some unorthodox fighters such as Marty Marshall and Henry Hank, not to mention other great fighters like Archie Moore and Ezzard Charles. However, stylistically Johnson was mainly a counterpuncher who waited for the other guy to lead while Spinks’ style was hard to read. Spinks had the range, power, ring smarts, and workrate to cause Johnson problems. Let’s not forget that Spinks also took away Larry Holmes’ trademark jab. He’d be able to figure out a way to outwork Johnson. However, won’t count Johnson out to win a close decision. One things for sure Johnson will definitely make a tough fight for Spinks.

In a series I can see Johnson winning 1 out of 3 fights.