Michael Spinks Vs Billy Conn

Conn decision

 

I distinctly remember reading this match-up in the " battle of the legends " sections of Ring magazine, maybe 20 years ago, or thereabouts.. At the time I agreed with Jack Fiske, that a Spinks decision was a reasonable pick, but my knowledge and views of boxing have changed over the past couple decades. Even though I rate Spinks higher, and would likely pick him to fair better against other all time great light heavys, I'm not so sure how he'd deal with Conn's speed and illusiveness. We just never saw him face this sort of opponent, which is what makes this such an interesting topic. Spinks was somewhat large and strong for a light heavyweight and had an awkward style, to go with a good punch, so I suppose anything is possible. As the three participants all touched upon though, Louis was getting outboxed handedly before catching Conn late, and it was more due to Conn's carelessness that he was stopped than anything else.. We also have to consider that Louis was one of the very best punchers ever in any weight class. I suppose I'll go with Conn by decision over how ever many rounds its scheduled for.

On another subject, Bob Sherrick, who was one of the men that Ring interviewed for this match-up, is a man who's views were always a bit over board for my liking.. As much as Conn may take this fight, I disagree with Sherrick that Conn is winning this by stoppage.. It would have taken a very powerful light heavyweight such as an Archie Moore or a Bob Foster to score a stoppage or a knockout against Spinks, and no matter how talented Conn was, he just wasn't that type.. He might hit Michael with enough punches to get him swelling and perhaps even staggering, but I just don't see this ending before the final bell.. Sherrick commonly made predictions like that though.. One time he picked Sandy Saddler to take out Salvador Sanchez inside of 5 rounds or something like that... I'm not saying that Sanchez would beat Sadler, but it was really appalling at what a low opinion Sherrick had of anyone who never fought on black and white film.

 

Mike could be extremely damaging to the body, and he was very highly intelligent. Beyond that, he could knock out championship caliber opponents with a single shot from either hand. His hook deposited Marvin Johnson on the floor for several minutes (just after deflating Marvin with a monstrous right to the gut). A right uppercut nearly sent Jerry Celestine's head into orbit. (That episode demonstrated how dangerous Mike could be off the ropes.) Multiple hooks turned Mustafa Wassaja into a bobblehead doll. His jab turned Ramon Ranquello's head into a bloody mess.

No choir boy, Mike was highly opportunistic. When Vonzell Johnson stupidly broke from a clinch with his hands down, a single Jinx cross ruined his final match. His elbows were the bane of Johnny Davis. Billy's enormous talent enabled him to get away with many mistakes and flaws in his execution. "Conn makes more mistakes in a minute than Ramage makes in a whole fight."-Joe Louis. Mike was just the sort to make Billy pay for most of them.

 

The Spinks from Holmes I gives Conn from Louis I a headache but Billy finds a way to win, through grit if nothing else. His footwork was quick and dirty, while Michael's was more ponderously elegant. Billy cracked a bit better, and could be as accurate. He'd be countered himself but would likely finish off the exchanges with the last word.

 

Anonymous poll?

 

I don't think this would have been such a good bout to view,,,,their styles to me just don't mesh. Conn by ugly decision as McGrain said.

 

Can't believe Conn was ahead on the poll prior to my vote. Shame.
Conn embarrassed Louis but Spinks embarrassed Holmes twice and stopped Cooney.
What could Conn do better than Spinks' opposition baring Tyson ?

 

In your wildestb dreams could a Michael Spinks [ fine fighter that he was ], would last 13 rounds with the heavier murderous punching Joe Louis,circa 1941...Billy Conn kod Bob Pastor and was a fast and clever fighter who weighing 168-70 pounds for his fight with Louis,came close to beating the great Brown Bomber...I pick Conn to decision Michael Spinks
on mobility and toughness in 15 rounds...

 

Spinks by SD.

 

Conn might just be the best light-heavyweight fighter of all time. Spinks, it must be noted is calimed even more often as the best 175 ever had. So it's just about as hard a fight you could pick. How do you beat Billy Conn at 175? You would HAVE to try and offset him in my perception, Spinks is as good as any when it comes to that artform. Conn is better at fighting to me. As durable as Conn is, i imagine that Spinks could hurt him, and Conn's defense is not impregnable, and nothing can hide from the jinx. I'm hovering between Conn taking it via really earning it the hard way and Spinks taking it by just having more class all round in a fight where he imposes himself when boxing and also when coming under attack. I'm going to ponder it some more

 

I don't like Spinks style but his size/power/range would see him win an ugly fight

 

Conn had 15 stoppage wins out of 77 fights in the 15 rounds era when stoppages were more achievable than today. What could he do against Spinks in addition to my question in my previous post ?