Did Tyson Have To Face Michael Spinks?

I think Mike Tyson did have to face Michael Spinks in June 1988. Tyson had unified all of the belts, including his lopsided verdict over undefeated Tony TNT Tucker. By fighting Spinks, he dispelled the notion that Spinks was the only champion, a lineal champion. Mike did cement his claim rather easily. Spinks appeared to have realized he was in over his head in that fight.

 

Traditional speaking, and the fact Spinks was the lineal champ.
So yes, it had to happened.

 

Yes I think it would have mattered. Knowing the way boxing fans are, there are people including ones on this forum who would be saying that spinks might have beaten him if he hadn’t

 

So true, there might have been some doubt to some fans on this site, but I did not think that Spinks could defeat a reckless locomotive like Tyson, he was not an ancient Larry Holmes.

 

Spinks knew he was in over his head, i remember an interview when he was playing it down laughing saying "i Dont want to get in there", but it was clear to see it was all bravado, and all he was short of was somebody sticking a portable toilet under his butt...

 

I never believed he wanted to fight Tyson either. I’m fact I think he laid down before the ink on the contract was dried

 

The first guy who beat Spinks would have been the Lineal Champion, and then Iron Mike would have had that guy hanging over his head. He had to fight Spinks, or the next Lineal Champion!

 

Got millions and expected to lose. Pity if had moved and boxed as he could be might of got the job done .

 

There were many ‘experts’ who swore down that Spinks was the real champion and would beat Tyson good. So yeah.

Those same experts said Tucker was the real champion, or Biggs was the real talent in the division, or Razor Ruddock hit harder and would bang him cold,etc

 

What if Spinks retired after beating Gerry Cooney rather than face Tyson?

 

I don't think too many people would have doubted Tyson knocking him out. Spinks only won that 2nd Holmes fight on paper and let's face it, he didn't exactly look great either time. His two defenses were a joke, Cooney was useless. As mentioned above, Ruddock or even Weaver probably would have caught up to him. Spinks was a top 5 ATG light heavy, but he doesn't even place top 35 at heavy.

 

I agree with you with everything you just said but my question was what if Spinks had either retired or purposely continued to avoid Tyson? Would the boxing fraternity and fans have continued to recognise Spinks as the legitimate lineal champion even though it was clear that he was avoiding fighting Tyson? you don’t normally strip fighters of lineal recognition like you can strip them of title belts but surely there has to be a time limit that is given to someone to stop avoiding meeting the legitimate best challengers?

 

Spinks would have looked even worse, Tyson would have been readily acknowledged as the People's Champ...plus, both men would have lost out on a wholllllle LOT of $$$.

 

I watched the replay of the Spinks vs Tyson fight in June 1988 on HBO. Michael Spinks looked terrified, his body language demonstrated it.