Michael Spinks of the First Holmes fight goes up against Prime James J Jeffries? 25 rounds in early 1900 rules. Can Spinks survive against prime Jeffries?
IMO if Spinks doesn't stop him, which is unlikely, then over the distance of 25 Jeffries could get himself a decision.
I reckon Spinks can take it as well. 25's a lot and I wouldn't be shocked if Jeff tires him out then knocks him out, but Spinks always looked like 12 wasn't hard for him at a good pace so I think he could pace himself just as well as the old timers for an old timey fight. Gloves, ropes, matting etc. from the early 20th century would probably give Spinks a harder time adjusting to than pacing. IMO. If he can stay ahead of Jeffries and keep a solid pace Jeff should look pretty bad, Spinks is one of the greatest trappers to ever lace. That said, Jeffries is all about physicality. Like Marciano and Dempsey he's a bit easy to exaggerate or under appreciate. I would not argue with a man who sees it from an opposing view. Jeffries was a bit of a monster.
If the smaller Fitz not only survived but beat Jeffries up so badly that it would be stopped any time outside of Jeffries own, then what's going to stop Spinks from landing at will for the duration? Is Spinks that inferior to Fitz? Are we just hoping Jeffries can take the one sided abuse long enough for Spinks tank to empty?
Had the rules changed yet by 1900? They used to have it where a knockdown constituted one round fought, I'm not sure when that changed that doe. Either way, Spinks dices Jefferies up.
What’s kinda mind boggling Is that Michael Spinks at 6’2”, and 200 lbs was bigger than possibly any Jeffries ever fought.