Very tough one to call. This would probably be a chess match with both looking for the openings and waiting for the other to make a mistake. One of the things about Mike was that he was very clever in the ring... as was Foster but I'd give Mike the edge in awkwardness and skill... while Foster probably had an edge in power. I see foster going for ko while Spinks tries to outbox him. Spinks by narrow decision imo.
With two big punchers like these two in the ring only one thing could happen; a rather dull 15 round chess match. Both of these two strike me as boxers first and it just so hppened that each of them could punch real hard (Foster with his hook and Spinks with his right, in particular). They were also very adept at setting up their punch of choice and at avoiding getting hit with their opponent's sundy punch. The long left jab against the off-beat comings and goings of Spinks... I'll go with Foster based on his edge in reach; Spinks would have to committ more to get inside.
this would have been a tough fight. foster had a big left hook. spinks a good left hook. spinks a big right hand. they both would have their way with each other. but i pick spinks by close decison*
I edge towards Spinks although I wouldn't put money on this fight. I see Spinks 'herk-jerky' style enabling to avoide Bob Fosters big shots, fustrating Foster and allowing Spinks to take a razor thin decision.
With Foster and his fans crying out for a rematch.
Spinks vs Foster is a tough one to call. Obviously Foster was the bigger puncher but Spinks may have hit hard enough to hurt foster as well. Foster would have had the hieght advantage again but not as much as he usually would. Spinks was a very smart fighter and I think he could have found ways to score and so I would go with Spinks in a tough decision. There could be a couple of knockdowns each way.
Ambling Alp wrote:Foster would have had the hieght advantage again but not as much as he usually would.
True Foster did have a height advantage but didn't always utilise it due to his often wide stance, which I assume he used to help him throw his power shots.
spinks out boxes foster with combos and movement before closing show in spectular fashion with the spinks jinx inside five. foster could not handle the heavies and spinks power was on par with the big guys
I reckon foster would shade it. Spinks has th edge in speed and skill, but foster would wear him down with his power, and Spinks would fade towards the end and lose. Good matchup though... could go either way.
Based on what? Sure, he fought some quality fighters and often looked impressive, but he just plain didn't have enough fights. I'd bet on Archie Moore to outsmart Spinks, and Ezzard Charles to outslick him. A lot of people don't realize that the '46-'49 Ezzard Charles was a fighter on par with Ray Robinson and Willie Pep - those three were the best fighters of the forties.
