I realize we don't have Spinks at heavyweight showing longentivity but if he hits heavyweight at the same time as Schmeling and Sharkey are fighting, how's Spinks do? Good enough to become champ and make a few defence s??
Don't think he'd beat Schmeling and Sharkey could also cause problems. Someone like Loughran or Stribling could outpoint him, though I'd favor Spinks. He'd soundly outbox Baer for a while, but I don't trust his chin in the end.
He would almost certainly have had a lot more fights at heavyweight. There would still be the color bar issue to be negotiated, so he might end up as a John Henry Lewis type figure. Whether or not he held the big one, would likely depend upon timing. Certain contenders might be able to beat him in a title eliminator, but let's play anyway. If he draws the Schmeling of the Stribling fight, then that is probably too much to ask. If he draws the Sharkey of the Carnera fight, then I like his chances. If he draws Carnera he probably just gets smothered. If he draws the Baer of the Braddock fight, then I like his chances. If he draws the Braddock of the Lewis fight, then it might go either way. If he draws Louis, he gets a pay day.
I think he would have done quite well in that era. Like Conn, I think he would have provided a stern test to Louis because of his excellent boxing ability. He would be smart enough to not stand in front of Louis and he would have realized his best chance to win would be to not let Louis set his feet like Conn did for the majority of that fight. I would favor a prime Spinks over everyone but Louis. I would still put my money on Joe to catch Spinks at some point but I do believe he has a great chance from a stylistic perspective. Max would be a difficult opponent for Spinks but a guy that I think he would win a decision against. Max was at his best when he could counter an opponent but Spinks was the type of guy that didn't give a lot of opportunity. Too me Spinks most difficult opponent would ne someone that would bring relentless pressure and not allow him to establish space. Jack Dempsey would be that guy but he is the generation before.
In contrary to popular belief, Schmeling often was the agressor in the fight. He could swarm and smother opponent if he decided to. Schmeling's work didn't end at counter punching.
Well, he beat Louis that way but I don't think I'd agree with you. In some of his best filmed efforts, he pressured his opponents - namely against Sharkey and Stribling. To be fair, he was more of a counter puncher against Hamas and Walker.
