Virgil Hill in the Michael Spinks era

I think that era would be very difficult for Hill. No way he beats Braxton, or, a Prime MSM. He would be lucky to win one of three against Galindez. Loses to the best version of Eddie and Marvin, but, might squeak a win in on the right night. 0.0% chance against Spinks.

 

I concur. Hard to envision Hill outpointing the LHWs of that era. Those guys were extremely tough. Yaqui Lopez lost to the elite of the division. Could Hill beat Yaqui? @Smokin Bert

 

That would be a good matchup. Not sure I would know who to pick on that one. Hill was very consistent, but, the Lopez that fought MSM was pretty damn determined, and may have just wanted it a little more.

 

Hill loses to Conteh, Galindez, Saad, Mustafa, Johnson, Qwai and Spinks ... he was champion during a very weak era ...

 

The timing, I think, works out for Virgil a little better than most here are suggesting.

Michael Spinks really burst onto the light heavyweight scene in late 1980 when he beat Yaqui Lopez. So let’s say Virgil enters world class around the same time.

No way Hill beats Spinks, I agree; but by the end of 1981:

Matthew Saad Muhammad has lost to Dwight Muhammad Qawi and is quickly fading into a shell of himself as the wars had caught up with him.

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad has lost to Spinks and is never really a factor at light heavyweight again. He got a shot at the (vacant?) IBF title a few years later and lost a split decision to Slobodan Kacar but pounced up into the mid 180s more often than not and never really had an impact at light heavy again.

Marvin Johnson has lost to EMM. He still has some spark left but he, too, has been through his share of wars and is at the very least beatable.

Yaqui is always a tough out but his days in world title contention are over at this point too.

Conteh and Galindez are retired, so scratch them off the list.

James Scott has faded from the scene after losses to Martin and Qawi and is also done.

I think Virgil beats anyone remaining not named Spinks or Qawi, so he probably holds a belt for a little while at least (maybe that IBF crown).

 

Good point. In 77, 78, 79 it is very different for him.

 

Qawi and Spinks came along toward the end of that golden era and overlapped it, but the years you are pointing to here are the true murderer’s row of 175.

 

He wouldn't do as well. Maybe Eddie Davis. Him and Vonzell would be an intriguing matchup.

 

I'd say he does poorly,,,,,

 

If the question is Spinks title reign it's one thing ... if it's the golden age of light heavyweights , post Foster through Spinks its another ...

 

Well the title says Michael Spinks era, and Michael was still an amateur when Bob’s time ended so I don’t think OP intended to go back that far.

Spinks’ first real significant win as a pro was the stoppage of Yaqui Lopez, who was coming off taking MSM to the depths of hell and coming up short.

Prior to that he beat Ramon Ranquillo, a club fighter who I think was ranked since he had upset a falling-apart-at-the-seams Mike Rossman, but he wasn’t much by way of a recognized contender. Good win to catch Ranquillo at his peak where he did have a little bit of recognition from the Rossman fight, but that couldn’t really be said to be the start of the Spinks era. Ramon beat Rossman, lost to Spinks and was back to club fighter status.

 

I always found Hill to be overrated. I believe all that Magoo mentioned would have beaten him. He would have done poorly in that era.

 

This

 

I would take prime Yaqui over prime Hill in a heartbeat.