Ray Mercer v Michael Spinks

Spinks from the first Holmes fight would do well to beat Mercer, but I don't think it would happen. Mercer would have nothing to fear in terms of fire power and would fight like it, rushing in and gunning for the KO.

Spinks could maybe outbox him, he has the skills, speed and size to. I think it comes down to the fact that Mercer would have virtually no regard for Spinks physically.

 

This.

 

Even spinks with bad knees still has a huge edge in mobility. And Mike Spinks sure isn't trading with the guy or trying to go for a ko. He'd just pitter pat his way to a decision.
huge difference in boxing brains here and it'd show up just like it did in the Holmes fight for Ray.

 

I reckon so too. Mercer's best hope is to land a good punch and follow it up. Spinks is definitely a bit fragile at Heavyweight but Mercer would still have to get a little lucky i think.

 

I think spinks would get in front boxing and moving but didn't have the firepower to hold Ray off .Mercer late stoppage like the Damiani fight.

 

Hmm...reading John's post made me imagine this as a tougher fight than I'd presupposed. Let's say it's the Holmes-beating Spinks (yes I the biggest Larry Holmes fan, think MS won the first fight by one point).

The problem is Mercer landing. Michael was tricky alright...but Larry wasn't a Mercer-level puncher in all but his (prime) right uppercut (actually I think 1979-1981 Holmes' uppercut was more powerful than any punch Mercer threw, period).

If Ray lands flush...I'm sorry, I love Mike as a light heavy but he sooner or later Ray will land. Out in five.

 

I watched Damiani box circles around Mercer before getting caught late and deciding to quit when Mercer rearranged his nose. Old Holmes (much older than the one Spinks beat) completely outclassed Mercer and completely gave him a boxing lesson. In all honestly Mercer should have lost a decision to Marion Wilson a journeyman from back in the day. If you’re not familiar with Wilson he finished his career with 12 wins and 41 losses. Wilson was also a small Heavyweight at barely 6’1 usually coming in at around 200-205 Ibs, rock solid and in shape though with a good chin. But his boxing skills were a joke compared to Spinks. Mercer could absolutely do a number on Spinks but he’ll never get the chance. He will be outboxed very decisively in my opinion. Spinks had incredible defense, his head feints, his high guard and his herky jerky awkward movements will befuddle Mercer. Ray will be gassed pursuing the fitness machine that Michael was and it’ll be all one way traffic down the stretch. I don’t think it’s close on the cards. Mercer’s Kryptonite is boxers. Spinks is fast, slick and awkward. Ray may have lost both fights to Ferguson as well. If you trade with Ray he looks sensational. If you box him he gets lost.

 

I agree that Mercer was often an underachiever in the ring , a bit like Tub where he could be lulled to fighting in a half gear for extended periods .. if Mercer came in top shape and fought balls to the wall like against Lewis I like Ray but three out of four Mike takes a decision ..

 

Spinks would outbox him.

 

Spinks UD. He is busier and more mobile.Both had good jabs, so no decisive edge there to either man.Mercer has the puncher's chance but I do not see it happening

 

Not sure. One had an exceptionally high ring IQ, the other was something of a dullard. I could see Spinks simply outmaneuvering him over the distance.

 

Mercer is actually friends with Spinks and inducted him into the HOF. I think Spinks has enough skill to get the decision. Spinks beat a version of Holmes that was over 7 years younger.

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To me it's a question of what happens when Ray lands flush. Eventually he's at least going to land one. Michael couldn't take it imo.

I'm sure MS would look good anytime before that, Mercer was kind of a lumbering fighter. But he did connect (he almost knocked Larry out in the first round of their fight, so he wasn't too far away from Tyson in power, though in hand speed Mike had it all day).

 

you act like Spinks had a glass jaw.. The guy was overwhelmed and destroyed by Tyson yes, that was also the only time he was ever on the canvas in his career. If he was as fragile as you seem to think he’d of never went 30 rounds with Holmes. Holmes even the version Spinks fought could put your lights out with that strait right. Spinks took Holmes’s punches and when he was hurt he moved out of trouble. Yes Ray will catch him at some point but one shot isn’t going to just crumble a great fighter like Spinks. Ray has a good punch but Lewis who we know could be caught with one shot took hard combos from Ray and smashed him right back. If Spinks was as fragile as you seem to think he’d of NEVER been the guy to finally take the Great Larry Holmes, just my two cents.