Michael Spinks @ heavyweight in the 60s and prior

How does anyone think that Michael Spinks would have fared had he fought at heavyweight between 1930 and 1970? At the 200- 212 lbs he fought at in the 80s. Now remember, those were the era's of cruiserweight size heavies. This wasn't the era's of the super heavyweight sized heavies that the 80s ushered in. Those were the times of the 6' 185 lbs heavyweights. A lot of those guys would have been modern day LHW or cruiserweights. Or very small heavies today. So Spinks at 200+ lbs would be competing with A lot of 180- 199 lbs fighters. So keep that in mind.

I think that it's very possible that Spinks could have defeated say Sharkey, Max Schmeling, possibly Max Baer and any of the 30s- 40s contenders. I'm not saying that he would, but definitely could.

I don't think he'd have defeated Louis, but his style could give him fits and he could have put up as stiff an opposition as Billy Conn.

In the late 40s - early 50s, I think fights between him and Walcott and him and Ezzard Charles could be closely contested fights. Bulked up at heavyweight, he was bigger than either man. IMO, those fights could go either way. Though at LHW, I'd pick Charles. And despite the size difference, Charles beat comeback Joe Louis, but there's nothing saying that the Spinks that beat 35 year old Holmes couldn't beat 36 year old Louis.

A fight between Spinks and Marciano could go like Marciano/ Walcott with Spinks outboxing Marciano thoroughly until suddenly....

In the late 50s, I'd pick a 200+ pound Spinks over a 182 pound Patterson. If it's the 208 lbs Spinks that battered Cooney (yeah I know he wasn't the best opponent, but he still was a 6'6 240 lbs giant) I think it's possible that the fight could end up resembling the first Johansson/ Patterson fight.

I think he'd fit right in with the top contenders of the late 50s, early 60s.

Which brings me to Sonny Liston. In theory, Liston could blast Spinks out. But, Liston wasn't as fast of hand or foot as s young Mike Tyson. And Spinks style could see him outboxing Liston en route to a upset UD. He wouldn't be in front of Liston like Patterson. But I'll go ahead and pick Liston by late round stoppages or UD. IMO, Spinks movement was at least equal to Eddie Machen movement and if the 195 lbs Machen could last the distance vs a prime Liston, I think a 200- 212 lbs Spinks could and if he was stopped, I don't think him not being a natural heavyweight would be much of a factor.

IMO, Spinks has as much of a chance of halting Johansson as Patterson did.

I'd pick Ali (64- 67) to beat Spinks. I don't think the version who barely escaped Henry Cooper or Doug Jones would. But, I sincerely think it would be more competitive than most people think. I believe Spinks could have taken Ali's firepower and his style would force Ali to fight on the offensive and Ali, like Holmes was at his best as a defensive fighter.

That's why I think Holmes had the trouble he did with Spinks. Seven and a half years older, Holmes fought Mercer and Holyfield and was able to land the right hand at will. Reflexes don't improve between 35 and 42 years old. I believe that him taking Holmes out of his comfort zone and making him be an aggressor is why he had so much trouble. Whereas he got to play defense vs Mercer and Holyfield.

Nevertheless, I think Ali either would have ended up stopping Spinks on his feet (think Ali/Patterson) or winning via UD.

I believe Spinks could have defeated any of the contenders of 64- 67.

From 67- 70, I think he'd be right in the top 10. I think he'd lose to Fraizer, but the fight would resemble when he fought Qawi. But Fraizer being a left hooker would make the fight more difficult than it would have to be. Because Spinks would have enough mobility to stay away from that left hook. But I'd pick Fraizer to stop him late, but, as upsets do happen, Spinks could get a decision if he did everything just right and was speedy enough to avoid the left hook.

What's your opinion?

 

For some reason, I always thought that he'd be elusive enough to avoid the left hook at least for a few rounds and be able to effectively utilize his distance. That's just my opinion.

 

So do you think he'd win by stoppage or decision?

 

Sounds reasonable. I can see that happening. I'd probably lean towards Walcott myself.