Patterson would win this but if both show up in good form it might be a fun fight. Two comparably sized heavies who could both punch a bit and scrap on the inside. Both Olympic gold medalists and heavyweight champs
Neon Leon is likely to get hurt or blasted out early, but it'd still be a neat fight to watch. I always liked Spinks' weird charisma that he brought to his fights, he'd roll around his arms before throwing punches, and was always real spirited.
If you want a Spinks that could likely beat Patterson, send in Michael. Leon would give it the old college try, but I see him being floored multiple times en route to a Patterson stoppage.
Yeah, I wouldn't argue that Patterson couldn't be favored over Michael. But between Leon and Michael, Michael would have the much better odds of victory against Patterson.
Folks are under estimating an in-shape, sober and focused Leon. That's always the problem with guys like Leon. When he was sober and focused, he is winning olympic gold medals and Heavyweight titles. When he is on his vices, he was wildly inconsistent. If I was putting money on it, I would go Patterson because of Leon's issues but it would not shock me at all if Leon beat the living **** out of Patterson. He was that talented and that ferocious. Patterson was the sharper puncher and better athlete but Leon was a ****ing junkyard dog and when he was on, he was a tough fight.
Patterson takes him out early, Leon Spinks is worse in most ways, worse balance, technique, slower, worse defence, Leon would go at him and Patterson would get low and trade left hooks with Leon and beat him to it, since he gets way more rotation, has better balance and is quicker, it’d beat him to it with ease and take him out, Patterson didn’t take many out early, he picked his attacks, but Leon would give him the opportunities and Patterson would be able to predict him and take advantage.
Patterson s hand speed is the deciding factor here IMO. He'd nail Spinks and stop him before the eighth round.
