Fight of the Week #11: Larry Holmes Doubleheader (Norton and Spinks II)

My memory of the fight was equally unreliable it seems!

 

I can’t figure it out. I am not sure if the commentary influenced me (although not so much in this fight, as they had a dreadful amount of even fights?) in the past fights, or rooting interest? And/or biases of the day along with the excitement of being in the moment?!

I am just amazed at how differently I am scoring these fights from the past in a new and different way? Maybe like @Pat M ssid “I would hate to be a judge” there are in reality multiple close rounds that give credence to judging in what was previously considered by me and others to be poor

 

If you look at the official scorecards and the AP scorecard they all had it as a one point fight. Now I definitely thiught Holmes won and that Norton just took too long to get going but I don't think the judges are way off base to make it that close. In fact, I don't think I scored this properly before, just based it on my impression of the way the fight was going.

 

Holmes v Spinks 2

1 10-09
2 10-09
3 10-09 (close, cagey round)
4 10-09
5 10-09
6 09-10 (very close)
7 10-09
8 09-10
9 09-10
10 09-10
11 10-09 (close, both fighters took a breather)
12 10-10 (best action of the fight so far)
13 09-10
14 10-09 (tough to score but Holmes wobbled Spinks)
15 09-10

Holmes 144-142 Spinks

 

This was a tough fight to score. I had Holmes ahead but there were a few close rounds that could have swung it the other way. Still, I think Holmes edged it.

I have no idea what tactics Spinks was employing over the first 6 rounds or so but he fought an awful fight early on. He came on over the second half as Holmes tired but was it enough to take it? I'm not convinced. Not a robbery by any means but I can understand the controversy.

 

My Holmes - Spinks 2 Card.

RD1. 10-9 Holmes
RD2. 10-9 Holmes.
RD3 10-9 Holmes
RD4 10-9 Holmes
RD5 10-9 Spinks
RD6 10-9 Spinks
RD7 10-9 Holmes
RD8. 10-9 Spinks
RD9. 10-9 Holmes
RD10. 10-9 Spinks
RD11. 10-9 Spinks
RD 12. 10-10 EVEN
RD13. 10-9 Spinks
RD14. 10-10 EVEN
RD15. 10-9 Spinks

Spinks 144 - Holmes 143

I watched the fight live back then and I’ve watched it atleast 10 times in my life, the last time I scored it I happened to hold on to my card.