Better victory : Norton over Ali or Spinks (M) over Holmes

Well the bigger result in my opinion was Michael Spinks beating Holmes because he kept Holmes from breaking the record. Ali had already lost before losing to Norton. Holmes was robbed both times in my opinion though.

 

The victory of Spinks over Holmes was more significant than Norton-Ali...Spinks won the heavyweight title in a historic precedent, and as noted above, stopped Holmes from breaking the "unobtainable record" of Marciano.. Norton's victory, coming over a somewhat less than stellar Ali, even though breaking his jaw, and even though that Norton would prove himself to be poisonous stylewise to Ali in their two subsequent bouts, didn't rise quite to the same heights that did Spinks when he annexed the heavyweight title...and defeating an undefeated, dominant, if somewhat on the downside of his reign titlist like Larry Holmes. Admittedly, Spinks' victory provided an extra bonus for the offended Marciano fans whom Holmes had denigrated with his "jockstrap" remark in the days preceding their bout. The remark has been spun and excused by some, but it was an example of blatant disrespect for the Rock...more gentlemanly champions of the past would have resisted insulting a dead, past great like Marciano, even if they had intended to eclipse a standing record like the 49-0.

 

I think Norton because he exposed Ali's lack of fundamental weakness. Norton doesn't have what we call a fantastic jab, but all he had to do was throw it at Ali all night and Ali had no answer for it. It completely threw Ali's timing off. And Norton throwing the jab opened him up more for combination as well. Ali only won maybe 2-3 rounds at best during that fight. Maybe only 1.

 

I think Norton over Ali, because Ali was still a pretty good fighter at that time.Spinks basically beat an Holmes that, even though it was a good victory for him, was faded for about 2 years.

 

That was totally absurd and out of line.

 

There are times when Holmes' bitterness almost feels like it's seeping through the screen or bleeding off the page. Its understandable. He was never particularly feared and certainly not adored as champion, neither of which define a great fighter but certainly add clout in boxing's glamour division, unjust or not. Even worse, he reigned over the heavily scrutinized post-Ali era where much of his legacy is how long he reigned rather than the slew of great fighters he beat. Over the years he's certainly garnered more acclaim in retrospect for being a superb technician and ring general with one of the better jabs in history, a nearly unconquerable chin falling only to a peaking Tyson and boatloads of heart. Many have him as the No. 3 heavyweight of all-time, if not Top 5 and he's certainly formidable H2H.

 

Norton beating Ali, Holmes was very good but not great

 

Spinks over Holmes.

 

Spinks W15 Holmes of 1985 was for the IBF title....... That there is a history making fight night when Spinks took the title........ Hands down bigger than Norton's '73 decision over Ali in San Diego........

MR.BILL

 

Spinks over Holmes, I never expected it to be Spinks who never fought as a heavyweight up to that point

 

that was classless coming from a guy who avoided so many of the top heavyweights of his day knocking a man that fought his #1 contender 5 times out of 6 defenses....but I don't think Larry meant it against Marciano he was just bitter because he (Holmes) carried Ali's jockstrap for so long

 

I too, didn't expect it in 1985... But, yes, I suppose I saw it coming in a way....... Holmes looked tuned and well against Dave Bey in March '85, but Holmes was really pushed by Carl "The Lie" Williams in May 1985.... Holmes entered the ring for Spinks in September with a hurt lower back disc from lifting his motorcycle onto a rack for repair and not very toned... '85 Holmes took Spinks for granted and lost on points...... It was close, but Holmes was out-hustled......
bbb
1986 was a gottdamn robbery..... Holmes beat Spinks in the rematch, but got the shaft...atsch:shock::deal

MR.BILL:hat

 

I think the Spinks win was the better in a way because I don't think Holmes a bad fight really - it was close-ish whereas for me at least Ali was just out of shape bad day at the office underestimating Norton (who'd come from no-where and was pretty much an unknown) AND HE'D GOT HIS JAW BROKEN IN ROUND 2 SO YOU'D KIND OF EXPECT NORTON TO TAKE ADVANTAGE - Holmes , while not 32, was only 36 and he did Not belly flop or anything he just got beaten - just - so being of a more competetive nature I'd class the Spinks' as a better won win - Norton just jumped on a dream situation he found himself in where as an unknown club fighter he had the best fighter in the world a little bit defenseless with a broken jaw - the jockstrap thing for me was kind of understandable I mean frustrating can you get chasing that 49 mark all your career and reigning supreme right the way to 48 and then letting some skinny lightheavyweight squeak you out of it???