Michael Spinks vs Floyd Patterson

If Ingo's Toonder can get to Patterson's chin, so can the Spink's Jinx. Spinks early by TKO...or Patterson by close decision (see Ellis fight).

 

Great match-up. You can make a solid case for either guy, but I'm going to pick Spinks by KO.

 

Spinks KO? Outside of not getting his knee off the floor in time against Sonny (1st or 2nd not sure) Patterson was never Knocked Out! Sonny said he had never hit anyone so hard (feeling the power of hitting Floyd deep into his back) and the fabled "Jinx" does not compare to "Ingo's Bingo", sorry Michael nut-huggers. Much of Spinks's career IMHO is predicated on his fights against Holmes who, one could argue, had become a tad listless at the time.
Floyd UD or late stoppage (let's put 'em in at 190 apiece) Michael campaigned, for the most part, as a LH. He never saw a "Cruiser" with Patterson's savvy and power. Michael may have knocked Floyd down but, as he always did, he'd get back up.
Spinks was a great fighter but you're stretching to give him a win over a HW/Cruiser HOF'er.
And, by the way, Eddie Gregory was a better fighter than Michael Spinks! Had to throw that in. Feel free to disagree.
Not to mention, the poster seems to be pitting a 1960 Patterson against a 1985 Spinks. Eras guys, eras!

 

Spinks on points........

 

Ask 230 lb Gerry Cooney if MSpinks can hit.

 

Or Steffen Tangstad !

 

The Holmes fight just topped off a great little career at 175. Spinks was an enormous talent at light heavy.

I don't think the OP made it clear whether this would be at 175 or heavy.

 

Patterson is so disrespected in fantasy mach ups.

 

Both were Olympic Middleweight Champs before turning pro. Floyd 6'-0", 71" reach. Spinks 6-2.5", 76".

 

And wrongfully so...he beats Spinks by decision. Floyd Patterson was not Steffan Tangstad...his hand speed would have made the difference. Michael could very well have decked Floyd, but he wouldn't have kept him there...and would have been put on the deck in return, en route to a Patterson decision win.

 

I'd take Spinks at 175. Heavyweight would be a toss up.

 

I have heard this "what if Patterson had fought so and so at 175" and "if he'd stayed at 175 he would have been the ATG LH" c r a p for ages. #1: He wasn't '175' after only a few fight after turning pro. #2: He could never have stayed there (175) for pete sakes. He quickly developed into a high 80's low 90's fighter after maturation. With his 'tweeny' weight he simply had to move forward and face the Heavies and he did that IN SPADES! Michael never met a 190 lb. Floyd and, to his continued good health, he should thank the 'gods' that he didn't. My somewhat limited $0.02.

 

Hey Red! My cousin Mike was in town (from Vero Beach) yesterday. He and his wife are moving north in about a year but wants us to come down and visit before the move. Uncle Larry, Mike & I spent four hours talking boxing, sports, music, movies and old times. If my wife and I can get down to Florida in the next six months, would be nice to drop by and meet you and the 'fam'. Even my beloved wife has said: "Well let's try and get down and see Mike & Cheryl and we can stop in and see 'Red Cobra' on the way home". (I've made her a Patterson fan, she loves Floyd 'tending' to Ingo & Cooper after KO'ing them!) Just something to think about. We'll see, best laid plans you know....

 

Are you addressing me?