We'll see how Bivol does now he's stepping up his level of opposition, but takes a huge leap of faith to see anything other than a Spinks win right now. Be it at 175 (Qawi, Davis) or at Heavyweight (a more aggressive Holmes in the rematch, and of course Tyson) we know what Spinks didn't like, or at least wasn't as comfortable against: high aggression, fighting right on the inside and being backed up. You could potentially outwork or over-power Spinks, but it was mightily difficult to stand off him and out-box him at range as Bivol likes to do. And let's not forget - Spinks could really punch at 175, too. Very hard to land cleanly on Bivol's chin, but his immediate reaction and unsteady walk back to his corner when Smith finally clobbered him with that overhand right makes me think that if / when Spinks managed it, that might be all she wrote. Would have been interesting if that shot hadn't landed right on the bell and Smith had another 30 seconds to follow up.....
Hard to pick against Spinks at 175 given all the styles he faced, the quality encountered, his dominance etc; I’m sure Bivol would make him work and be a problem but I’d bet Spinks to win clearly.
I always remember that left hook Callum Johnson threw that floored Bivol hard. And then I think of the left Spinks threw that laid out Marvin Johnson, not to mention the shots Spinks hammered Cooney with to stop him. I think Michael puts him to sleep.
Spinks has the height, reach and technical skills as a boxer puncher so of course M. Spinks will be favored. Bivol on the other hand is not a jack all of trades but a master of one trade, that being a very well polished 1-2 combo and a gas tank to back it up. I'm going for the underdog on this, Bivol by split decision.
Right. Thanks. My mistake. I read the title and for some reason my mind said Beterbiev. That's embarrassing.
Bivol beats Zurdo, Joe Smith, and a natural super middleweight midget, and suddenly he beats possibly the greatest light heavyweight of all time? Jesus...
