Michael Spinks vs Jess Willard

If this is the Jess Willard that fought Dempsey can you say ‘this would be ugly’? Spinks is Dempsey times 2. 1 round.
If it’s the Willard that beat Johnson he survives a few rounds but similar to Cooney fight he can’t see the punches coming and ends up beat bad.

 

Spinks puts the Jynx on Willard.

 

How? More athletic faster taller longer reach 10 lbs heavier just as good or better skills and conditioning.
What’s that leave?

 

Not sure how long Willard lasts, but he's probably not winning any minute of any round. Jess probably voluntarily exits within 5 rounds or so.

Spinks would be just fine coming into this at 175. The difference in skill here is great enough that it wouldn't really matter.

 

Willard, although bigger than Spinks, can't do anything to win...

 

The only thing he could perhaps do,is use that weight advantage to lean on Spinks, try and tire him out.
If the fights an old time long distance one, then Willard would be hoping to drown him.
But Spinks would probably hurt him early in the fight,id say he stops him before the tenth.

 

Spinks on points.

 

That’s what makes horse races. I m taking the Spinks that beat Holmes at 200 lbs. He was faster taller heavier and would have been stronger than Dempsey. Spinks body was double jointed the way he bent and twisted in and out of range. Is why they said he was awkward which was he just moved in way few others could. Gave Holmes an ATG much trouble he couldn’t catch him. I would advise watching the Cooney fight again. I was there in AC convention center with high hopes only to be dashed. Cooney couldn’t see the punches coming Spinks was so fast. Gerry very comparable to Willard size wise both strong good punchers. I would argue Gerry’s offensive skills would be a few levels above Willard who was just a tough cowboy that started fighting pro at 29 with no amateur career. Spinks would badly beat any version of Jess.

 

Spinks stops him and it likely wouldn’t take too long.

 

Spinks not only is in a different reality in terms of speed, he also probably hits harder to be honest.

 

I would favor Willard here.

The size difference is vast, and whatever people say, Willard knew how to use his size.

He also punched a lot harder than Holmes.

I see Willard winning an ugly mauling fight.

 

I don't know who would win but a couple things to consider.
Dempsey beat Willard easily because he had an explosive, aggressive countering style. Spinks does not. Also, Dempsey was allowed to stand over Willard, Spinks would not be allowed to do so. I don't see any serious claim that Spinks, at heavyweight, hit harder than Dempsey. What would lead you to believe that? His win over Tangstaad? Hitting Cooney, who didn't want to be there to begin with, with 71 punches and Cooney finishing on his feet?
From what I have read about Willard, he was noted for his right hand to the body; that is a natural counter to the left jab. He hurt Johnson with this punch so I reckon he could hurt Spinks. Also, Willard was known to have a serious right uppercut on the inside; I believe that he seriously hurt, or killed, another man with this punch. That is something Spinks would need to aware of when he gets in close and is wrapped up by a larger, stronger man.
If it comes to an inside fight, Willard would grab him and wrestle him, as allowed by the rules of his era and facilitated by the type of gloves he fought with. Spinks isn't going to win that fight with his style. He would have to fight like Dempsy- getting low and rolling and coming back over the top when Willard dropped his hands to try and grab him.