ron lyle vs leon spinks....

Lyle would win this fight by brutal knockout. He was simply too big, too strong, too tough, too powerful, and too savvy to lose to Leon. Remember: Leon never really had the size to tangle with authentic heavyweights who were world class and who could punch.

Assuming both fighters met in their primes, Lyle would win by kayo within three rounds. Ten count. Easy.

On the other hand, if were talking about the older, slower Lyle -- the 1978 to 1980 version -- then the fight could go longer. When he was over-the-hill, Lyle was slow on his feet, and had trouble getting his punches off. I could see a prime Leon swarming Lyle for a few rounds, and possibly being ahead on the scorecards after five rounds. But inevitably, Lyle would find the range, and Leon simply didn't have the chin to withstand heavy bombs. So, even the older Lyle beats Leon, probably by kayo within seven rounds.

Just for the record, Lyle's prime was 1973 to 1977. Leon's prime consisted of his one win over Ali in 1978.

 

I think the Lyle that beat Joe Bugner in 1977 would have demolished Leon. This is because Leon would stand toe-to-toe with Lyle.