I'm in two minds on this one. Smith was never anything special. Spinks was but not at hw. I'm going with Spinks on points here. Thoughts?
Probably Spinks, he was a different class of fighter. Smith hit hard but lacked coordination, speed, timing, combinations, body punching and just about everything you would need to break down a skilled technician like Spinks. Smith lost to the similarly sized and glass jawed Marvis Frazier so it's definitely conceivable that the even more skilled Spinks embarrasses him.
I don't think Smith had the skills to deal with Spinks. Spinks by decision, and not a real close one.
Pre 1987 Michael Spinks would put a clinic on Bonecrusher, but in 1987 or 1988 Spinks was a shell of what he used to be and both his knees were shot, so Smith would knockout Spinks in 1987 or 1988.
Spinks of either Holmes fight will give Bonecrusher a boxing lesson. Smith is slow of foot and hand. Tubbs boxed circles around Smith and he’s more stationary than Spinks. Tubbs was able to stay out of harms way by simply circling Smith. If Smith connects he can jar you, but he’s also a poor finisher. This one is Spinks all day by a lopsided decision.
Marvis Frazier out boxed Smith even though on paper, Frazier would be tailor made for Smith. I believe that the more skilled and arguably more durable Michael Spinks would get the job done and HOW!
I’m comfortable with spinks winning a decision. Tony Tubbs, Marvis Frazier and Adilson Rodrigues all went the distance with Smith and all won decisions. And none of these guys were posters boys for greatness nor durability
Spinks. going away. Smith only has about 4 good rounds in him. then, he's huffing and puffing. And he'll try his habit of coming out in the beginning of the round and give it 30 seconds of effort. After that its hold and pose on the outside time. He'll land about 5 punches a round once it hits the middle rounds. Futch would see all those defensive flaws with Smith and have his prize pupil fighting smart and taking him out to deep waters. Kind of like the Cooney bout, but Smith hangs in there probably to the finish line.
You know, you kinda have to go with Spinks here based on Bonecrushers uneven showings against lesser fighters. But I wonder what would happen if the Bonecrusher Smith that came out and destroyed Witherspoon attacked Spinks in the same way? It could happen, maybe a 1 in 4 chance.
