What made Tyson vs Spinks Interesting?

Spinks was in there with Holmes at heavyweight and was able to survive two distance fights, obviously he was in better form then. Even so, 90 seconds! the awkward, skilled Spinks couldn't even get out of a round so I'd say it was impressive. would it have made much difference if he was a few pounds heavier?

 

Holmes was a long way past his best. Still, impressive. Spinks weight would not matter.

 

I honestly don't remember the boxing mags calling him that except BEFORE the first Holmes fight . He seemed to gained their respect with the Holmes upset.

After the Holmes upset, there was a story about how Spinks had gained weight the right way - through careful conditioning under the guidance of fitness guru Macky Shilstone.

He had the height and frame to carry the weight well if added the right way through diet and excercise.

They contrasted how he prepared to fight at HW with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad's method of just gaining 25 lbs. around his middle when he fought Snipes in '81.

 

he was another in a line of people that could beat Tyson until after he destroyed him ...then it became..well we knew that was gonna happen.. they road that to the douglas fight where they went ahh haaa I told you he'd get beat... typical of fickle fans

 

Just look hard at the Mike Spinks fights from 1985 forwards. Look hard. Davis w12 in a bout a lot of people thought he lost. 2 holmes fights. So the guy went the distance in 3 straight fights. Scored how many knockdowns?---zero.

Then Stefan Tangstad. tons of good heavies around and Mike Tyson finally consolidating the multiple belts and we get Tangstad. That guy was not good enough to have been the best fighter on USA cable Tuesday night fights, but that's the fight we, the fans, got.

Then out of retirement Cooney. That bout itself was no easy fight for Spinks and that was a real real bad cut he had in there. Just think of the other heavies that box their way to a tko stoppage with that bad cut. Not Cooney. He's still bombing away and his lousy defense saw him stopped the round after that bad cut.

Me, I thought that was horrible preperations for a guy like Tyson and what he brings to the proceedings. And now it was a case of Spinks being the old guy & not the youthful guy in the match. A major role reversal and something he had never faced before. Plus, going in with a hitter with those knees. There was no way in the world he could back up or slide over and get out of the way of Tyson moving in.

 

Anytime you have two fighters that have made history Tyson ( youngest ever
HW Champion ) and Spinks ( first reigning LHW Champion to win HW title )
you will have the public and boxing fans intrigued.

 

In reality, Mike Tyson was a 4-1 favouite to beat Michael Spinks when all was said and done.

The massive interest in the fight was more due to the build-up that had gone on for 18 months, the fact that "Undisputed" champion Mike Tyson's claim was actually disputed by many who regarded Spinks as champion, rather than any massive feeling that they were evenly matched.

 

He "Spinks" never wanted the fight.

It was a turning point for the sport, when MT came along it was like Chuff that, i aint getting in there unless i am getting seriously paid...

Look back and watch the interview spinks was giving, and watch what he says body language etc etc...

The part where he gives out a nervous giggle whilst pretending to convince the fans he is serious and they pay more to watch is cringeworthy...

I don't want to get in there i don't want to get in there, and people laughing at his celebrity status jokes, because they bought in to the BS...

He knew what was coming the second it was agreed...

Kind of feel for him to a point as he was led to the slaughter, but hey ho thats boxing.

 

aside from two undefeated fighters facing each other, both with HW titles.

a great narrative accompanied this fight--good versus evil, i suppose

Tyson was at or near his peak--terrorizing the HW division--but he wasn't a likeable guy, to say the least.

Michael Spinks, was also undefeated at the time but had just moved up to HW (defeating Larry Holmes). He had a sparkling career in the division below.

Spinks was an Olympic gold medalist; he was bright, articulate, and by all accounts an exemplary human being.

for instance, Michael took a year off (after winning his gold medal in the '76 olympics) to help his brother prepare for his fight against Ali.

I don't remember what was the betting line on that fight--i would imagine Tyson was the huge betting favorite--but a lot of folks were pulling for Spinks. If i were a gambler, sure i would bet on Tyson, but i really wanted to Spinks to win.

 

It depends on what it is....I'd have to see it (hear it) first

 

Holmes was 35 when he fought Spinks. Lewis was 35 and still dominating the division. Personally, I think it was Spinks style and remember, 7 and some odd years later he gave a prime Holyfield a run for his money. Holmes was past his best but still pretty good. Plus a 29 year old Spinks fought a 35 year old Holmes, a 29 year old Holyfield fought a 42 year old Holmes.

 

Holmes was nothing comparative to what he'd been. He would dominate Michael Spinks at his best lets be honest. Spinks would be lucky to win a round. He had nothing whatsoever to hurt Holmes with and Holmes jab would be pumping. His right hand would also be a constant danger and one clean one could likely lead to the beginning of a rapid end. Holmes nearly put him down at one point with a right hand that was nothing conparative to what it once was. Holmes would be so much faster, fresher and his stamina was excellent.

One cannot compare Holmes to Lewis at similar ages. Lewis was still closer to his best by a mile.

Peak Holmes whups Spinks.

No effort to build up Spinks and Holmes to bolster the Tyson record is going to gain traction in the mainstream. They were what they were.

 

I agree. I wish i could find a couple of the mags but i have comments somewhere by Spinks well before they fought or were arranged to fight. Spinks was in awe of Tyson. He wanted no part of him. From memory when one guy pushed him about fighting Tyson he said something like why don't you get in there with him.

Spinks was a realist and deep down knew his fate imo.

 

The most interesting thing about Spinks in this pathetic fight were his knee pads or were they knee braces and his ugly @55 tube socks.

 

I was a massive boxing fan back then, still am and i recorded every fight that was on TV, every interview etc etc.

I collected every Mag from BN RM BM from 85 onwards, i have stacks of them somewhere!!