Spinks of course was a blown-up light heavyweight, but he went 30 rounds with Larry Holmes (beating him definitively once) and destroyed Gerry Cooney, so I'd say he was a legitimate, proven threat at heavy. The thing that impresses me the most about Tyson's win is not only did he beat Spinks, but he knocked him legit out. On the overhead shot of the second knockdown, it shows Spinks's eyes rolled up. Spinks was never even close to getting rendered unconscious prior in his career. A great win for Mike.
I think it is Tyson's most prestigious win. But I do think Tyson's detractors greatly undermine the importance of this win, Spinks was a very very good fighter. He was extremely intelligent and had enough skill and talent to have forged a effective game plan to face Iron Mike. There are a lot of reasons Spinks should have made it out the first round and should have been able to compete. Spinks should have a chance because he had all the tools. But he didn't. He ate punches from Qawi, Holmes, and Cooney... but couldn't handle Kid Dynamite. I would make no mistake though, Cus molded Tyson to annihilate guys like Spinks... this is literally what his style was built for. I think if we review the Tyson v Holmes fight we can see the realization Larry has that Tyson was built to attack a man like him, and by the time Larry finally began to adapt it was too late.
