Michael Spinks vs Evander Holyfield 1987

B

 

Man, that is interesting. Spinks had the skills and he carried the weight well enough up to heavy so you've got to figure that cruiser (at 190) would suit him better.

I wouldn't pick many against Holyfield at this weight but Spinks' experience and technical skills would probably see him home.

 

It's an awesome match and very hard to predict.

 

This is an excellent question I have not seen before.
I dunno, Spinks might well have won, & he would have been at a perfect weight for him...
CW was ~ a 190 limit then.
But Holyfield may well have been the best CW ever.

I need more info about the stylistic match up.
Both are boxers, though Holyfield tended to slug more.
Could his high volume assault offset the awkward skills of Spinks?

It would be a Fight for the Ages.

 

1 year makes all the difference in the world!

In 86 I would narrowly favor Spinks to decision a young Holyfield. But this would be a great fight! By the time Holy rematches Qawi late 87 I would take Holyfield to win a decision clear or even stop Spinks late.

 

Spinks by decision. He's one of the best ever at maintaining his preferred range while punching and staying elusive at the same time time. His boxing ability is obviously top notch, he throws in combination at very strange angles with very off setting timing, he has a good knack for timing, and he is very good at keeping a fight where he wants it to be (which might be the most important factor here).

 

Holyfield decision 7-5, close win for the upset. I can Holyfield’s willingness to trade and to simply win will eek it out. I also can see Spinks being too strong and confident just beating Holmes to lose

 

I see a draw or a close points win for Holyfield

 

It does not really work as The Jinx moved up in 85, and at the time Holyfield was a year away from the fight that began his legacy, so Spinks would win comfortably.

Indeed back then Evander was trying to make 175, so the fight could have been a title defence for Spinks...

 

Some good points made. Tough call.
‘87 Spinks, to me, might just have the edge over a strong, but not as clever Holyfield, at that stage.

 

very hard to predict but if i had to put money on it, my pick is Holy by tko