I remember watching Michael Moorer face Lesslie stewart back in the late 80's. Moorer was a young prospect with maybe 14 pro fights or so, and stewart was a former champion who had recently lost to Lalonde I believe. Stewart who wasn't a particularly talented or great chinned fighter, had Moorer outboxed before Michael landed big and was able to get him out of there. Spinks was a far more skilled and savy fighter than anyone Moorer faced at lightheavy and most of the people he would later face at heavyweight. I could easily see Spinks outpointing a young Moorer enroute to a wide decision or late stoppage. I also may have picked Virgil Hill or an aging Hearns to possibly do the same thing around 1990, although Tommy would have to watch out not to get tagged.
Micheal Spinks and the spinks jinx would put the hurt on Moorer. Wide ud or late tko. Spinks once lifted an opponents feet a good 6" off the deck with an uppercut. The guy fell on his face like something out of a cartoon! Moorer ain't dealin' with that! Boo
Spinks and rather easily (mid round stoppage) Moorer was nothing special at 175lbs. He could hit no doubt, but even journeyman cuties gave him trouble. Spinks was class, plus he could punch, his right hand being the equal of any Moorer's offence. Spinks TKO6
I remember seeing his fight with Stewart as well, and giving Stewart most of the rounds until Moorer stopped him in 8. Not long after, I watched him dust a former stable mate in Jeff Thompson, whom I believe was ranked right around #7 at the time. In fact, I saw most of Moorer's fights during the late 80's/early 90's. I remember thinking that he was almost invincible, but looking back at the way Stewart boxed against him, plus his later performances at heavyweight, I concur that Spinks would have beaten him. Spinks beat much better opposition at 175 than Moorer did, and had skills that would baffle Moorer. I also likely would have picked Virgil Hill the way you did. The prospect of a Hearns Moorer fight, was highly unlikely because they were both Emmanual Steward figthers, but I think that if Hearns had fought Moorer when Michael only had some 18 fights, he would have kicked his ass.
Spinks: He had a superior chin, the edge in skill and was a more than respectable puncher at that weight. Moorer's southpawstyle could be a tricky puzzle to solve and his power could be a factor but Spinks is more than good enough to prevail here. Spinks, by late stoppage
Spinks workrate and hard to figure out style would quit Moorer at some point around the 6th.. Moorer was good, it would take a fighter as good as Spinks to beat him in this fashion at light heavy though....
