How bad was the version of Spinks V Tyson?

I think Spinks was in a weird place. Tyson psyched him out. Tyson's aura was peak. Moreover, Spinks had mobility issues. A prime fearless Spinks would have outsmarted Tyson, in my view.

That fight was a huge disappointment. I really wanted Spinks to win, not because I didn't like Tyson (at the time, I didn't have an opinion of him other than he was fun to watch sometimes), but because Spinks was such a damned fine fighter, arguably the best ever at 175 lbs. His win over Holmes was historic. Very exciting night. I would have rooted for Holmes against any other fighter.

Spinks lost the rematch, though. The fight for the linear title should have been between Tyson and two-time heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.

 

Pretty bad.

Though carrying the 212-pound weight-training build of a decent heavyweight for this fight, he lacked the tone of his challenge to Holmes at 199.

His Jinx leads were totally off and his jab was harmless.

But, above all, I would say that for the first and only time in his career, he showed absolutely no hunger, no desire for victory.

Fear had a grip on him, sure, compliments of and to his opponent. But a performer is responsible for his attitude, and the mental aspect is part of preparation.

The result would have eventually been the same, no matter what Spinks showed up against Mike Tyson that night, and Spinks knew it.

Under the circumstances, he did his best. When you have done something for over 10 years and happen to be great at it, the automatic pilot kicks in at some point and guides you properly to an extent, regardless of how you may feel consciously. Always hard to hit cleanly, Spinks was covering up and moving pretty well amidst the onslaught. But Tyson brought not only power and speed, but deadly accuracy that night. There was no escape.

The right for the first knockdown seemed laser guided. Spinks was properly crouched in a coverup at the ropes when the champion unleashed that tremendous right dig to the ribs, Spinks' only unprotected area.

I commend Spinks for getting up and attempting an offense, seemingly unafraid now and fully prepared to go for broke. But a lethal missile stopped him cold. Notice, however,
that he performed the proper defensive maneuver upon missing his lead right, leaning down and far to the left. He was simply unfortunate enough to be facing a fighting sage with the vision to capitalize on foresight several frames ahead, with violent consequences.

 

Good post, but the punch that Tyson landed was a punch I had never seen. It was like a short right somewhat thrown as an uppercut. Tyson was so dialed in that night it was like he knew how to bend his righthand to land that shot right on the button off of Spinks' defensive move. It was quite amazing really, and thats why many boxing people feel there was very few fighters in the history of the division that could have competed with that Mike Tyson.

 

Spinks' heart was in it as he trained hard, but we have to remember who he was facing & that at that particular time, he was facing a peak Tyson, which is a highly formidable fighter, whom I believe is right up there with the great HW's all time!

I do believe Spinks did have a certain amount of fear, but I believe that multiplied on the night of the fight when he saw Tyson across the ring i.e. in that Spinks probably knew he was past his best & that Tyson was relishing the chance to get down to business!

We have to give Tyson credit. Although he was the favourite byt the bookies, quite a few tipped Spinks to win & even those who picked Tyson did not predict such an emphatic or quick victory! Tyson got to him extremely quickly & once that happened, there was no way Spinks was going to be let off the hook!