In 1987, Michael Spinks was the reigning IBF heavyweight champion... Tony Tucker was a 34-0 contender, and the mandatory for Spink's belt.... The Jinx dropped his title to face Gerry Cooney instead, while Tucker defeated James Douglas for the vacant strap... Tucker later lost this belt via 12 round decision to Mike Tyson, and not long after, Spinks lost in one round to the same man... How do you think this fight would have played out, had these men fought in in 1987?
I think Spinks might of been a bit too cute, and 'The Jinx' had to be respected even at Heavyweight as a fair weapon. Spinks to edge the championship rounds, and get the nod Spinks: WS15 (remember this IBF in 1987, so like Tucker/Douglas, it would of been a 15 rounder)
Spinks UD in a boring fight. Tucker could be outboxed as Douglas showed in their fight, and Spinks would get the nod.
I tend to think that Larry Holmes was slow by the time Spinks got to him and feel that Tucker was at a different and quicker speed than Holmes... this would have been before Tucker's drug problems surfaced...and Tony was a good fighter.....Tucker would be more aggressive against Spinks because of his height and reach advantages also...and may not be so afriad of his power as well.... the Jinx never was the same at heavy in my opinion as it was against the 175 guys....
Tucker is a what if fighter. He was denied two mandatory shots at the lineal title (deserved or otherwise) against opponents who were potentialy ready to be taken.
I have MOST, if not ALL of Tucker's big fights on tape....... Guess what? Tucker either choked or looked terrible....... Tucker's tools were there, but his skills were often "Missing in Action" on big fight night..... Tucker would box and hammer a "B" opponent at will, but he never really could do it impressively with his "A" opponents... Tucker's BIGGEST wins are over "Douglas & McCall." from 1987 and 1992....... Tucker also looked ordinary in those fights as well..... Tucker MIGHT be able to handle the smaller Spinks, but I sure as hell would NOT bet a dime on it..... It would be close....... MR.BILL
Spinks was a great Light heavyweight and Tucker was a good big heavyweight. I see this as a decision and it could be a close one. Spinks by sd
This is a whole can of woms but ........ there's no such thing as a mandatory shot at the lineal title. The mandates are strictly alphabet business. I see what you mean by him being "denied" .... but if he was given undeserved title shots both times due to stripping of alphabet titles from lineal champions then he's not really being denied. I think. :huh ...... ........ a can of worms indeed. Anyway, Tucker looked shot in 1993 against Lewis, nevermind 1995. But you're right about Foreman, that was a winnable fight maybe for even a shot Tucker. Or maybe not.
Tucker could win this fight by decison, if he imposed his will yet fought cautiously.By this time, Tony had already beaten James Broad and Eddie"The Animal"Lopez, so I would definitely like his chances against a solid,but still unproven at heavy Spinks.
this is a very close call but i will just favour spinks as by MR.BILL put it tucker either choked or looked terrible on his big fight nights