M. Spinks or McCallum

No, it is a landslide.

Mike Spinks is a top 15-25 all time great.

McCallum isn't close to that.

I think McCallum belongs in a greatness debate with say... Azumah Nelson. Those two are comparable in greatness.

Spinks is on the same level of greatness as Monzon and Arguello.

Those guys are a class above McCallum.

 

spinks career was quite short lived. Mc Callum was still going strong in his late 30s. he went from 154-175 pickung up belts, no small accomplishment, he fought on even terms with an in shape Toney in his mid 30s. spinks got a gift in the second Holmes fight, some feel Homes won the first one too. He is greater than Mc Callum but I do not see a landslide.

 

I should think Spinks could reasonably be rated outside the top 30. He was the best light heavyweight in the world for a few years but that by no means would seem to make him a lock for top 25

 

That is Top 25 according to you. I do not rate him in the Top 25.

 

In terms of achievements in his prime Spinks is ahead by some distance. McCallum catches up a bit by still performing on a high level in his mid and late 30's, but not enough, I think.

H2H Spinks is more proven in his prime, even though McCallum also looked a force at his best weight - 154.

 

Heck of a good post.

 

Excellent post JT ... Didn't mean to sound harsh on Spinks as I'm a big fan .... just not ready to put him at the top of the 175 heap as many seem to ... however I have an interview somewhere where Archie Moore rates Spinks over Ez so what the hell do I know .. Cheers to you Pal ..

 

Cheers HG.

For the record i have Moore and Charles as the top 2 at 175 H2H and ATG wise. I mildly favor both over Michael but having said that would not exactly be gobsmacked to see him prevail. The power he wields is not far off Foster for mine and he has a harder right hand IMO.

He has the power and unpredictability to be a constant danger against anyone. Add that to his strength, underrated speed (gets mentioned in the odd Best I've Faced), superb durability at 175, jab and overall versatility and he's right in the mix. Futch guiding him hardly hurts either.

 

As always a well constructed response, with which I agree entirely. keep well.

 

This is one of the best posts I have ever read on these boards, John. I am not surprised.

 

I think you are being a whole lot too nice there Clint but none the less thanks very much mate.

 

Arguable

Maybe. I don't think him being considered a better overall fighter is absurd at all.
To me he just had the better overall skills.

 

Pound for pound: Spinks
Head to head: Spinks
Inch for inch: Spinks
Nose to nose: Spinks