Greater/Better fighter: Lennox Lewis or Michael Spinks

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Apr 9, 2026.


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  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Two great fighters known for their ring IQ combined with dynamite power and were both dominant in their prime. Lewis was only beaten twice but avenged his losses while Spinks only lost once at the very end of his career. In terms of resume/achievement would you say was the greater fighter overall and who would you have favored had the two fought?
     
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 9, 2026
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 9, 2026
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  2. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    P4P Spinks. Head to head at heavyweight, Lewis.
     
    AwardedSteak863, Apr 9, 2026
    AwardedSteak863, Apr 9, 2026
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  3. Philosopher

    Philosopher Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Lewis is a greater fighter and wins H2H...and quickly...is my knee jerk reaction.

    Taking a step back, I think the second part is true but in reality beating Holmes once, never mind twice, is greater than anything Lewis did...

    ...but then, does Mike's blowout loss to Mikey affect his legacy...?

    Yes...I think it does...

    So I'm sticking with my original answer....
     
    Philosopher, Apr 9, 2026
    Philosopher, Apr 9, 2026
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  4. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Spinks. More durable. More well rounded. Equally good right hand P4p. Beat better competition at 175 than Lewis did at heavy.
     
    dmt, Apr 9, 2026
    dmt, Apr 9, 2026
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  5. McCallumsJab

    McCallumsJab Member Full Member

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    Lewis is better P4P nevermind H2H
     
    McCallumsJab, Apr 9, 2026
    McCallumsJab, Apr 9, 2026
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  6. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Lewis is clearly the greater HW by a substantial margin.

    I think Spinks is the greater p4p fighter by a much closer, but imo, still clear, margin.
     
    Greg Price99, Apr 9, 2026
    Greg Price99, Apr 9, 2026
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  7. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    At heavyweight ? Lewis

    p4p ? Michael Spinks
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 9, 2026
    mr. magoo, Apr 9, 2026
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  8. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Spinks has the better overall resume. There'd only be two heavyweights you could rate above him, really. Lewis would knock him out at heavyweight, however.
     
    JohnThomas1, Apr 9, 2026
    JohnThomas1, Apr 9, 2026
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  9. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I prefer Spinks. Hes not beating Lewis @HW though
     
    robert ungurean, Apr 9, 2026
    robert ungurean, Apr 9, 2026
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  10. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Spinks is one of the best P4P fighters of all time, clearly ahead of Lewis. When it comes to the HW division, Lewis is greater by probably the same margin.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Apr 10, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Apr 10, 2026
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  11. Smokin Bert

    Smokin Bert Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Spinks is a far better fighter than Lewis. But, I agree that he wouldn't beat him at Hevyweight . Lewis was just too big for Spinks
     
    Smokin Bert, Apr 10, 2026
    Smokin Bert, Apr 10, 2026
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  12. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Stick to it sir, it's the correct answer..
     
    Fergy, Apr 10, 2026
    Fergy, Apr 10, 2026
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  13. Smoochie

    Smoochie Combat sports fanatic Full Member

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    Smoochie, Apr 10, 2026
    Smoochie, Apr 10, 2026
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  14. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Active Member Full Member

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    At heavyweight Lewis wins if you’re comparing him to Spinks as a LH it’s close. Lewis is the goat heavy Spinks maybe at LH though I don’t know the LHs of the last 20 years.
     
    Steve Fero, Apr 10, 2026
    Steve Fero, Apr 10, 2026
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  15. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Lewis is the greater fighter. He is arguably the greatest heavyweight ever while Mike is arguably the greatest Spinks ever.
     
    Seamus, Apr 10, 2026
    Seamus, Apr 10, 2026
    #15
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