Michael Spinks vs Frank Bruno

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, May 4, 2025 at 5:57 PM.


Who wins and how

  1. Spinks KO/TKO

    19.0%
  2. Bruno KO/TKO

    14.3%
  3. Spinks Decision

    66.7%
  4. Bruno Decision

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. Draw

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Would Spinks be able to cope with Bruno's size and strength? Bruno battered Lewis, even though he lost in the end and he gave Witherspoon a tough time.
     
  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Making Spinks a slight favorite. Uncertain how it exactly ends
     
  3. Paul McB

    Paul McB Member Full Member

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    Yes…Spinks knows how to befuddle him and exploit his weaknesses. It’s less about Franks power and more about how conventional he is….too easy for Spinks to figure out.
     
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  4. Jamal Perkins

    Jamal Perkins Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Bruno's untimely loss to Bonecrusher cost him a shot at a ageing Holmes in late 1984.

    I don't know if any attempt was made by Terry Lawless/ Mickey Duff and the cartel to match up Bruno with Spinks for summer or late 1986 in London rather than Tim Witherspoon. It would have represented a shot at the linear HW champion and admittedly with hindsight probably a easier task.

    The fight held in Britain wouldve represented a good purse for Spinks with Tyson still rising fast...and no certainty on Cooney.

    I still see Spinks knocking out Bruno by catching him around 7 or 8 and Frank going into frozen statue mode as Spinks tees of with 10 or 12 shots and Bruno out on his feet
     
  5. Philosopher

    Philosopher Active Member Full Member

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    Spinks might be too slick, too fast and defend too well for Bruno's much vaunted power to win the day, but it might be a decent fight. A battle of relatively orthodox fighters, a battle of the jabs and straight punches. And yet. Mike's KO percentage was about 60% overall and about 40% at heavyweight. Would he have the power to keep Bruno off? If he couldn't deter the big man, it might be a short night...
     
  6. Bonecrusher

    Bonecrusher Lineal Champion Full Member

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    Bruno might start fast as Spinks, wasn’t quite a slow starter, but was a thinker, who liked to download information early and then completely break his opponent down stylistically. So, I mean, he was a slow starter, but it was tactical as he was absorbing information. Bruno is basically a jab and right hand fighter and Michael would take his jab away after a few rounds and he could roll out of the way of the right hand. His awkward attacks and herky-jerky movement would break Bruno‘s rhythm and completely throw him off and I wouldn’t be surprised if he stopped him late. Although I did pick decision because Bruno is a tough guy. It just depends on how much Spinks pushes on the gas at the end.
     
  7. Turnip mk3

    Turnip mk3 Active Member Full Member

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    Frank early or Spinks late . That's it in a nutshell . Good exciting fight
     
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  8. SixesAndSevens

    SixesAndSevens Gator Wrestler Extraordinaire Full Member

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    7 seems a bit early, no? I do agree with the final verdict, but given that it took Tim 11 to take Frank out, I'd think that Spinks would need a similar amount of time, if not more. Witherspoon had more crack in his punches than Michael.
     
  9. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    In retrospect, Spinks stopping Bruno would have been a good heavyweight scalp. A better win than Cooney and Taangstad.
     
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  10. Jamal Perkins

    Jamal Perkins Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Thats fair comment.Seven does seem a bit early.
     
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  11. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Unless Frank gets him out early, then I'd fear he'd tire out and get stopped around 10- 12
     
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  12. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    I can’t see Bruno dealing well with angles.
     
  13. GlaukosTheHammer

    GlaukosTheHammer Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Spinks UD but I wouldn't be shocked if Frank caught him on ice.
     
  14. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Spinks takes away him jab and stops a gassing Bruno late.
     
  15. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Was Bruno promised a shot at Holmes had he beaten smith ?