Who is a greater fighter? Michael Spinks or Roy Jones Jr.

Khaosai Galaxy

 

I thought you were asking who is greater, not who would win at light heavy?

 

Michael Spinks, he was an undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion. Spinks also had longevity on his side, he defeated the best contenders of his era. Michael went on to break the streak of a more recognized champion in Larry Holmes, prevented him from equaling Rocky Marciano's undefeated streak from 1956, 49-0, 43 KO's. Although Roy Jones Jr was a more flashy title holder, his prime plummeted rather quick, he had more skills than Michael but he did lose his title, where Spinks did not, instead he won the World IBF World Heavyweight Title from all time great, Larry Holmes on Sept 21 1985. John Ruiz was nowhere near Larry Holmes in my estimation.

 

Rich, Jones at one point at 175 held the WBC, WBA, IBF, IBA, IBO and WBF titles. The only title he didn't have was the WBO and given how many he had to accumulate he did pretty well.

By the time they had their "loss" (not counting the DQ) Jones had 50 prior fights under his belt with just the DQ loss. Spinks had 31.

Jones lost at the 15 year mark as a pro. He had been racking up titles for 11 years.
Spinks lost at the 11 year mark as a pro. He had been racking up titles for 7 years.

One can argue Spinks beat better contenders but longevity is Jones by a country mile mate. Jones may have missed the odd guy but he spanned 4 divisions and fought a lot of people.

Yes an incredible win. He was something like 6-1 and it is one helluva achievement.

His prime didn't actually plummet quick in the main. At the career point where he fell vertical off the edge he had been fighting 4 more years than Spinks and had 19 more fights. His prime in reality was immense.

For sure, even at that stage.

You can make good arguments for either depending on what criteria you hold dear.

 

Yes but the question is not limited to the light heavyweight division. It is who is the greater fighter overall? Roy did win titles at middle and super middle

 

Jones is greater pfp but at lhw spinks is greater and probably should win h2h but it is no fact neither

 

Decent post. Welcome back to form. There's barely a split match between them for greatness but Jones would probably be a consensus choice. Spinks absolutely "greater" at 175 and Spinks a likely winner but not totally carved in stone.