Could Spinks have actually troubled/beaten Tyson with a different mindset?

Nah, no matter his mind set going into the fight, look at his eyes roll back into his head when Tyson misses a hook by an inch or two early.

He knew then he couldn't deal with Tyson's speed. That wouldn't have changed.

 

Different attitude, about one minute longer.

 

I do not think Spinks was scared. There was a big delay and all that, but Spinks was a professional who fought guys like Qawi and Holmes. Mike was sharp that night and put it all together. It would be interesting to see the Spinks who beat Holmes in the second fight vs. the Tyson who fought Douglas.

 

The Jinx was among the very slowest starters of any ATG, while Tyson was among the fastest. Horrible contrast for the loser. I just don't see how Spinks would have ever had a chance to warm up and get on track before being taken out. Tyson was too astute to allow this.

 

smaller man will always get toasted against tyson.

 

It was always on the card that Tyson would beat Spinks early. Maybe one or two rounds more,but no longer.

 

And that would have included Holyfield pre 1991 IMO

 

In a word...no. Spinks may have lasted into the second round had he not been so obviously terrified of Tyson, but he wouldn't have seen the end of round 2. Michael Spinks wasn't mean't to be a serious competitor for Mike Tyson.

 

Spinks was diabolical that night - An over-rated win which inflates Tyson's legacy to a larger degree than it deserves.
That version of Spinks wouldn't have lasted a round against dozens of heavyweights - The Tyson that lost to Lewis would still have KO'd Spinks in 1 round.

Spinks was brow beaten out of retirement and just there for the money...

 

Spinks believed he could win, he just got caught early against histories fastest most brutal early rounds knock out artist

 

I think Tyson was just way too good for him.

The "scared" thing, I don't know.
I remember as early as 1986 when Tyson beat Berbick, Michael Spinks was making unconfident statements when answering questions about Tyson.
He always seemed to express doubts.
On the other hand, I don't think he fought in a particularly scared manner at all.

Spinks went in against a prime Tyson with a grand total of 4 heavyweight fights under his belt, two against an over-the-hill Holmes (one being extremely controversial win), one against a washed-up Cooney, and one against a Norwegian tomato can.
All his other fights had been at 175.
A prime Tyson was a huge step up, a young heavyweight with speed and power ..... A LOT of speed and power.