Michael Spinks vs Lennox Lewis

Spinks would have a puncher's chance but I'd pick Lennox to win by knockout in this fight. He'd take it easy and be cautious early in the fight before starting to unload his punches to a knockout win.

 

It's not easy to say. Michael Spinks is probably the most diificult fighter in history to evaluate at heavyweight. I don't think it was ever determined how good he really was at this weight class. He squeaks out a convincing yet close decision over an aging Holmes, then arguably receives a gift in the rematch. He utterly destroys a much larger Cooney who still had the power to hurt him, but who wasn't fighting much in recent years and had poor lifestyle habits. He smokes an unknown Euro champ. He takes a year off between 1987 to 1988, then loses in only 91 seconds to Mike Tyson. His record at heavyweight was 4-1-0-2, at least 4 of those title fights. So how good was he at heavyweight? I don't think we'll ever truly know.

Lennox Lewis was definately a top 10 all time great, and a man who many believe to be the most formidable in a head to head matchup. while I certainly agree, he was also far from perfect. He lost or looked unimpressive at nearly all stages of his career. He was Ko'd in two rounds by Oliver McCall in 1994. He won a close and somewhat controversial decision over a declining Mercer in 1996. He had two very close matches with a shot Holyfield in the late 90's, and was KO'd early by Rahman in 2001. Still, he would have to be the heavy fovorite against Spinks, as he spent his entire career at heavyweight and was a rather large man besides. Additionally, he was a big man who could also fight and was rather fluid for a fighter his size. Asside from some of his less flattering performances, he did manage to destroy a large number of rated heavyweights with convincing ease. Lewis could hardly be compared with a past prime Holmes, or an umotivated Cooney.

Lewis takes this one, and probably without much trouble, but I can't determine an exact outcome. Spinks was an awkward fighter of unusual talents, and was floored by only one man in his fullfilling career. Again, we do not know exactly the extent of his abilities at this weight class.

 

I'll pick Lewis, he was very good at using his strength on people when he knew he was stronger, he was doing it at times to Holyfield, who was smaller. In thefirst fight with Larry, Spinks was really hurt imo by the body assault he got from the bigger man, he showed great heart to get back on top there i thought. Anyway, i think Lennox can go on the offensive and utilise the big reach and strength at the same time. Michael will be faster, and if he has good success with that weird movement of his, i cant see it lasting against prime Lewis, an elite level HW, i think hw would most likely get a stoppage, not Tyson stlye though, possibly late.

 

Perhaps...But a loss is a loss. It's not like he had excuses for them either. He wasn't past his prime, coming off of extended layoffs, mending injuries or falling victom to bad officiating. We can't assume what his mentality would be like going in against Spinks or any other fighter. Besides, what's to say he wouldn't underestimate Spinks as well?

Anyway, I picked Lewis to beat Spinks early, but for analysis purposes I felt it was necessary to mention the highs and lows of both men's careers.

 

i pick lewis late. spinks awkward style would of give lewis some problems

 

Lewis early with Spinks not in the fight at any point.

 

Lewis early with Spinks not in the fight at any point.

 

The Lennox Lewis that demolished Golota, Grant, Tyson, Rahman and Botha would similarly dispatch Spinks in 1 or 2 rounds.

 

The finish to this fight would rival the finish of Tyson-Spinks, in fact, Lewis could very well have matched Tyson's time if he went after Spinks like he did Rudduck. I have Spinks lasting into the second round originally because of Lewis' at time cautiousness, even in fights where he totally dominates.

 

Lewis early KO. Within 3.

 

Lewis blasts him out within 3 rounds. Too big, too skilled.

 

Actually, i think his puncher's chance is extremely thin. Michael was a great puncher at 175, one of the very best. But at heavyweight, it didn't translate (perhaps similar to how Foster couldn't dent the big uns).

I would be surprised if Spinks hears the bell for the third round, to be honest. And that's nothing against Spinks; i wouldn't pick any light heavyweight in history over a skilled giant like Lennox Lewis.

 

Spinks TKO 6. Spinks a different class of fighter than Lewis.