Prime Michael Spinks V Prime Floyd Patterson

[TheOneIsHere2008]

Who would win the battle of former Olympic champions?

[histboxfan]

Interesting match-up.

Two very cerebral fighters.

I'd give the edge to Spinks, he had an outstanding heart, and he could focus on an opponent better than almost anyone.

[TheOneIsHere2008]

Interesting match-up.

Two very cerebral fighters.

I'd give the edge to Spinks, he had an outstanding heart, and he could focus on an opponent better than almost anyone.

Me too...Patterson lacks the power to hurt him like some of the bigger heavies so he can fight his fight...

[Collins2000]

I assume this is Spinks at 175 and Patterson at a bit over 200 pounds.

Interesting matchup.

Michael was an exceptional light-heavy and I think he could give away some weight to Floyd and still clearly beat him over 15 rounds.

[TheOneIsHere2008]

I assume this is Spinks at 175 and Patterson at a bit over 200 pounds.

Interesting matchup.

Michael was an exceptional light-heavy and I think he could give away some weight to Floyd and still clearly beat him over 15 rounds.

Spinks showed he could fight at 200 pounds and be competitive; just not against Mike Tyson...

They both would have made great cruiserweights...

[Collins2000]

I assume this is Spinks at 175 and Patterson at a bit over 200 pounds.

Interesting matchup.

Michael was an exceptional light-heavy and I think he could give away some weight to Floyd and still clearly beat him over 15 rounds.

Spinks showed he could fight at 200 pounds and be competitive; just not against Mike Tyson...

They both would have made great cruiserweights...

True, but for me Spinks' prime was 175 not 200.

[TheOneIsHere2008]

I assume this is Spinks at 175 and Patterson at a bit over 200 pounds.

Interesting matchup.

Michael was an exceptional light-heavy and I think he could give away some weight to Floyd and still clearly beat him over 15 rounds.

Spinks showed he could fight at 200 pounds and be competitive; just not against Mike Tyson...

They both would have made great cruiserweights...

True, but for me Spinks' prime was 175 not 200.

Since Floyd fought around 187- 190 that's not much of a disadvantage...Maybe his record would have been somewhat better if he wasn't alway fighting larger men...

[Collins2000]

I suspect Michael made a lot more money from his fights at heavy than all his other fights put together.

[dempseyfire]

Patterson all the way.

What victory does Spinks have which would suggest he could beat Floyd Patterson?

Qawi? Mustapha? A razor thin decision over a faded Holmes? (who beat him clearly in the rematch)

Spinks while a very good puncher doesn't have the power to hurt Floyd (but Floyd CAN hurt Spinks), and he won't outspeed Patterson.

[Robinson]

I think Patterson wins this fight. Its an up and down fight for him
Spinks does have speed, awkwardness and power to floor Patterson
but I see Patterson with his speed and power spurts hurting Spinks.

I am most likely biased being a Patterson fan, but I sincerly see him'
winning this fight, even though Spinks has the elements and style
to really cause Patterson a lot of toruble.

Patterson by Dec.

[dempseyfire]

I think Patterson wins this fight. Its an up and down fight for him
Spinks does have speed, awkwardness and power to floor Patterson
but I see Patterson with his speed and power spurts hurting Spinks.

I am most likely biased being a Patterson fan, but I sincerly see him'
winning this fight, even though Spinks has the elements and style
to really cause Patterson a lot of toruble.

Patterson by Dec.

I guess I don't see the bad style matchup here for Patterson. Floyd fought a lot of quick awkward boxers in his career like Ellis, Moore, Machen, and Maxim, and the Maxim loss was a complete robbery and while I think Ellis 'outworked' Floyd it was a case of Floyd just not pulling the trigger and not him being outslicked (which is also how he lost to Quarry in a very close fight).

Where Floyd has problems are the bombers (Ingo, Liston) and a peak Ali who Spinks is not like at all.

Spinks, who liked to pick his spots, counter, throw from the odd angles, can give most anybody problems, but vs the stronger Patterson, who was a very well schooled fighter (and who's also a shade quicker) I just don't see Michael having many advantages at all.

[Collins2000]

Does Patterson vs Maxim exist complete?

I've only ever seen the highlights version from which it is impossible to say who might have won.

Wasn't Floyd also in a bit of trouble against Quarry who wasn't exactly a bomber though he did have a sharp dig?

[TheOneIsHere2008]

I think Patterson wins this fight. Its an up and down fight for him
Spinks does have speed, awkwardness and power to floor Patterson
but I see Patterson with his speed and power spurts hurting Spinks.

I am most likely biased being a Patterson fan, but I sincerly see him'
winning this fight, even though Spinks has the elements and style
to really cause Patterson a lot of toruble.

Patterson by Dec.

I guess I don't see the bad style matchup here for Patterson. Floyd fought a lot of quick awkward boxers in his career like Ellis, Moore, Machen, and Maxim, and the Maxim loss was a complete robbery and while I think Ellis 'outworked' Floyd it was a case of Floyd just not pulling the trigger and not him being outslicked (which is also how he lost to Quarry in a very close fight).

Where Floyd has problems are the bombers (Ingo, Liston) and a peak Ali who Spinks is not like at all.

Spinks, who liked to pick his spots, counter, throw from the odd angles, can give most anybody problems, but vs the stronger Patterson, who was a very well schooled fighter (and who's also a shade quicker) I just don't see Michael having many advantages at all.

Spinks was indeed a cutesy fighter but it's interesting how Tyson walked right through him...

[dempseyfire]

Does Patterson vs Maxim exist complete?

I've only ever seen the highlights version from which it is impossible to say who might have won.

Wasn't Floyd also in a bit of trouble against Quarry who wasn't exactly a bomber though he did have a sharp dig?

Quarry was known as a knockout puncher and having one of the best left hooks in the division, getting buzzed by him is no indictment.

ESPN showed Floyd/Maxim in full years ago, I think since then they've only showed the HLs (just like they've done with many other fights)

[observer1]

As good as Patterson is, i just don't see Spinks losing.

[Ambling Alp]

ESPN Classic did show several rounds (I believe 6) of Maxim-Patterson five or six years a go. I missed the first 30 seconds or so of the first round and wasn't able to record it. From what I saw of the first round, Patterson deserved it and I gave every round that they showed to Patterson. This was only an 8 round fight. There is no way that Maxim could have won 5 of the 8 rounds.

It wasn't like Patterson was knocking Maxim around pillar to post, but he was clearly in control.

I think Patterson-Spinks would be an interesting fight. Spinks would problably come in at 180-185. Hard to say what would have happened in that fight. There are a lot of different scenarios.

[Tantum]

Patterson KO is the most likely scenario, imo.

Decision could go either way.

[Robinson]

I would love to see this fight.....never been a super Spinks
fan, but no denying his skills and talents....I like his nature
outside of the ropes than to watch him fight.

Patterson is my all time favourite...so I am always going to
be biased.

[Minotauro]

Patterson would win.