Could Michael Spinks Have beaten Liston of Miami?

Liston would kill spinks literally

 

Spinks UD

 

Liston ko.

 

Holmes never really intimidated anyone. Liston won many of his fights at the weigh-in via
his "evil-eye stare".

 

No he couldn't. And here's are the reasons why. 1st Spinks was awkward but wasn't a great mover. While his awkwardness gave a past prime Holmes fits. It wouldn't be a problem for Liston. 2nd, see Spinks vs Tyson. Spinks was totally intimidated by Tyson. Imagine what his mind would be doing if it's Liston staring him down. For Liston he wouldn't be facing a man he considered crazy (Ali) with the backing of the N.O.I( Something that very few touch on, but most Black Americans feared The Nation of Islam if they wasn't apart of that organization. That fact had to have played on Listons mind would that group kill him?) No, what Liston would know from pre fight meetings up into the day of the fight that Spinks is a quiet and humble man and natural light heavy a "good man". Just the type to be victimized by a man Like Liston. And see Liston vs Patterson times two for the results of hypothetical Liston vs Spinks.

 

Liston beats an intimidated Spinks. Spinks lost the Tyson fight before it even started. A similar situation would likely have occurred against Liston.

 

Though it is not on tape, the 3 round Liston v Folley fight might be similar to a Liston v MSpinks.


Sonny Liston vs. Zora Folley
1960-07-18 : Sonny Liston 212½ lbs beat Zora Folley 198½ lbs by KO at 0:28 in round 3 of 12

• Location: Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, USA
• Referee: Joe Ullmer

• UPI Telephoto

Associated Press, July 20, 1960:

Sonny Liston, swinging his sledgehammer fists with devastating fury, knocked out Zora Folley in 28 seconds of the third round after battering him to the canvas twice in the second round of their scheduled 12-round heavyweight fight last night. Liston, 212½-pound slugger from Philadelphia, gave ground in the first round before he unleashed his dynamite-laden 14-inch fists that slammed Folley to the deck early in the second round and again as the round ended. Folley, 198½, of Chandler, Ariz., took nine counts on both knockdowns, the bell ending the second round saving him from the cold, calculating attack that finished him in the third stanza.

Folley, a polished boxer who had won his last 10 fights—three by knockouts—staged a brilliant rally after the first knockdown. Folley staggered to his feet and battered Liston brutally with a two-fisted attack that forced the Philadelphian to give ground before he unleashed another of his bone-crushing left hooks and right-hand smashes that sent Folley crashing to the canvas on his face. Folley was struggling to his feet when the bell saved him. Handlers worked over him frantically in the corner but the effort was futile. The Arizonan danced out as they started the third only to be caught flush on the jaw by another terrific blow. The Philadelphian set up Folley with a right cross and then decked him with a fabulous left hook—a blow that has held his last nine opponents for the 10 count.

Notes

• Liston entered the fight ranked No. 1 in the world. Folley was ranked No. 2 by The Ring magazine and No. 3 by the National Boxing Association.
• Folley was guaranteed $40,000 and Liston $25,000. Liston accepted the smaller fee in order to make the fight.
• A crowd of 9,252 produced a gross gate of $77,406.55.

 

the way Spinks responded to Mike Tyson I don't give him much of a chance. Real power would knock Spinks out in a couple of rounds.

 

LIston was a different prospect to the battle of guile, energy saving and clinching that past prime Holmes offered.

 

Two very good points and I can see where both are coming from. There is no doubt that Spinks lost the Tyson fight a good while before he stepped into the ring, but there is no doubt that if he could avoid the same fate that he'd cause a lot of trouble for Liston.

I'd still have to make Liston the outright favourite - as I suspect most would - but an unfazed Spinks makes it an interesting match-up.

Throwing a spanner in the works, how does the Leon Spinks who fought Ali in their first fare against the same Liston?

 

Alot of chances are given here for Michael Spinks.

Seems like Liston isn´t the kind of legendary killer people want him to be?

What about 74 George Foreman against Spinks?

 

The votes 12-3 so he doesn't have that much support. People are also taking into account this isn't absolute peak Liston.