So lets assume light heavyweight king Michael Spinks in 85 went up to cruiserweight instead of challenging Larry Holmes for the heavyweight title. Had 3 fights between late 85 and 86 and they meet in 87 Instead of Holyfield facing Qawi for a second time they face each other for the cruiserweight crown in a 15 rounder. Who you got??
I think Holyfield takes a very close decision that could go eitherway. I just see Spinks have difficulties getting Evander's respect because Michael wasn't nearly as devastating a puncher above lightheavy. I could easily see a Spinks decision win though.
I've always had this one in mind. It would have been a classic and the all time greatest fight in that division. It would be a seesaw bout throughout the alloted distance with Holyfield's extra workrate being the tiebreaker. Close decsion to Evander.
Possible tossup. Spinks showed that he could perform well both above and below that weight class, so my guess is that he'd fit in nicely cruiser. in 1987, he was right around 30 years old.. He was a bit passed his prime perhaps, but certainly not finished. Evander was still developing and didn't have that many fights, nor had he yet acquired much of the strength that would come later at heavy. My thinking is this one goes to the cards. If he Evander can find a way to pressure Spinks and outwork him, then he probably takes it.. If he finds himself beffuddled by Michael's awkward style however, then it could go the other way.
I think Holyfield stays on him and grinds him out late. Spinks wouldn't have the punch or the strength he'd need at this weight to get Evander's continued respect, and Evander at cruiserweight was a phenom, relentless, skilled, and brutal. He soaks Michael up and rings him out.
Spinks awkwardness would give Holyfield some problems but Holyfield's relentless pressure and higher work rate would be too much for The Jinx and he wins a clear but competitive decision in a very good scrap.
I liked Holyfield as well when I first thought about it, however I think his accuracy (one of his best assets at cruiser) may not be quite on form due to Spinks is awkwardness. I'll go out on a limb a say a controversial decision in favour of either man, in the sense that depending how you score rounds it could be argued for a victory both ways.
I agree it's a close call and highly competitive. Don't sell Spinks short in the power department. He could really punch... I'd say he has enough kick to keep Evander honest, and more that that, enough to hurt him. I lean towards a Holyfield decision here, but I think it could go either way. I look forward to what others have to say.
Agreed. That incredible workrate does the job and Commander Vander sets the tone and pace 10 seconds after the opening bell. Mike Spinks was a guy that really liked his breathers in there and Holyfield is going to throw a lot more punches than Spinks will get off. I always wanted to see Spinks in fights were he has to absorb to stay in there and this would be one of them. Maybe the Davis bout, but that guy was never a hitter. I felt Spinks was going to have to do that against Tyson as well, but he did not last long enough for us to gauge his ability to absorb and hang in a fight. I know that's Holyfield's game and he was really something at cruiser.
