Michael Spinks or Billy Conn, who ranks higher pound-for-pound?

George Crowcroft · Dec 18, 2025

Ioakeim Tzortzakis said: ↑

@George Crowcroft and I talked about this a while back. I went with Conn and he went with Spinks.

His argument for Spinks (I think) was that he's greater at both LHW and HW, the 2 divisions they share. Which is true, as he did beat Holmes twice whereas despite Conn's efforts to beat Louis, his best win at HW is Bob Pastor (not his only one at the poundage tho, get that out of your head. Savold, McCoy, Dorazio etc. Man got some stuff done). Obviously Qawi, Lopez, Mustafa, Johnson, Davis and Sutherland are also an overall better group of Light Heavies than Lesnevich and Bettina (though Conn beating them both twice doesn't exactly hurt him).

My stance was that Conn has him beat in sheer overall depth, thanks to his run at Middleweight. While the group of Light Heavyweights Spinks fought is not exactly to be scoffed at, they're not really on the same level as Corbett III, Zivic, Yarosz, Apostoli, Krieger, Bettina, Zale and Lesnevich as overall fighters. Especially since he beat half the names just listed more than once. At worst these guys were world champions back when it mattered, at best they're pound for pound all time greats regardless of division. Can't really say that about any of the guys Spinks aside from Holmes.

And I do think some extra points should be given for the Louis performance as well. Obviously not as many as Spinks outright beating Holmes twice, but this is a blown up Middleweight/Light Heavyweight giving perhaps the most dangerous fighter ever serious fits. If people are willing to give Duran extra resume/legacy points for his effort vs Hagler, they ought to do the same with Conn vs Louis. I think that this bridges the gap and puts him over Spinks, close but clear for me.
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To add to this I think Conn is a top 20/25 MW of all-time.

Boxed Ears · Dec 18, 2025

It's been thirteen years. You haven't had one spare 30 seconds to put up one two-option poll? Sort yourself out, mate.

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Michael Spinks or Billy Conn, who ranks higher pound-for-pound?

George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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Michael Spinks or Billy Conn, who ranks higher pound-for-pound?

George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member