Convince me Michael Spinks won the rematch with Larry Holmes!

Sure. I’m not a big one on ‘robbery’ in 90% of fights that people use that word.

I thought Michael clearly won the first fight. I thought Larry clearly won the second, but someone else could score it differently than me.

To my mind, it was an incorrect decision but not a robbery.

 

Rd 10 Spinks , 11 and 12 Holmes … Holmes should have gotten decision.

 

I've watched it several times, mostly for its historical significance.

 

I am not sure if Spinks himself is convinced he won the second fight.

 

I had the 1st fight 143-142 Spinks I feel like Spinks just outhustled Holmes who wasn't able to get his right hand going enough or make his size much of a presence against the smaller Spinks.

The 2nd fight I had it 145-140 Holmes I thought Holmes clearly won he bullied the smaller man rocking him numerous times and unlike the 1st fight made better use of his size advantage.

 

I think I had it for Spinks by one point. Tons of close rounds in there. I’ve got my old scorecard somewhere, but I can’t find it right now. I’m pretty sure I have an old issue of The Ring that breaks it down and makes a case for why they thought Spinks won, too.

Holmes came out fast and probably swept the first four or five rounds, but the second half was a lot closer. When I rewatched it, I think Spinks actually outlanded him by a few punches. I wanna say the LA Times also ran a piece saying they thought Spinks edged it.

I’ve got all this stuff packed away somewhere in my basement man cave, I’ve also got multiple covers of Spinks over-throwing Holmes, plastered on my walls. So, I’ll admit, I’m probably not the most neutral voice on this one. Spinks beating Holmes is one of my earliest boxing memories and is kind of what springboarded me into becoming a hardcore fan. I’ve got love for both guys.

 

I can't remember the fight being boring. But to each his own I suppose.

 

Holmes won clearly, but a fair payback in my eyes for the Williams fight which Holmes clearly lost.
Strange payback though considering the boxing politics of the time.

 

yeah I knew it was close, I remember when I was re-watching it in the last like say 10 years, you know the thought is always “Holmes was robbed” but when you actually watch it, Spinks really gave him all kinds of problems again, after those first four or five rounds. Spinks just had such awkward attacks and herky-jerky movement. He just broke your rhythm and Holmes just could never quite time him and even in the 14th round where Holmes stunned him badly with the right hand that’s basically all Holmes did in that round, Spinks was all over him for most of the round. There are a lot of rounds like that where Spinks is doing much more work, but Holmes will land a couple of solid punches. I don’t wanna commit one way or the other, maybe I’ll rewatch it today if I get time and score it again