The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Michael Spinks vs Dwight Muhammad Qawi (Braxton)
Friday, March 18, 1983
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The great Michael Spinks, the World Light-Heavyweight Champion from St Louis, MO, had not had a fight since March 1983 when he smartly and craftily beat dangerous former champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi of Camden, NJ for the Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Championship. It was one of the best fights in the history of the Light-Heavyweight division.
Now, undisputed champion, Spinks took the whole summer off of the year 1983 and focused on his biggest priority in his life, his daughter Michelle.
On November 25th, Spinks had his first challenge of his undisputed crown and seventh title defense overall, against contender Oscar Rivadeneyra of Peru. Rivadeneyra, a black boxer, was undefeated in 18 bouts. He started his career in 1979. Like Spinks, he was perfect at 18-0, with 12 knockouts. His most notorious win was against top contender Jerry Celestine of New Orleans, Spinks' former sparring partner and KO victim in June 1982.
The South American nation of Peru was never a country rich in boxing tradition like other Latin countries. Their main national sport is football. Peru has won major football titles in South America at international level when national football teams are concerned. But, recently, their football has been regressing for some time and reason. Their last major win was Copa America in 1975 when they defeated the mighty Brazilians.
Peru since 1969, have produced a great deal of fantastic international footballers of great quality throughout the years like Jose Velasquez, Roberto Challe, Hugo "El Cholo" Sotil, Hector Chumpitaz, Claudio Pizarro, Cesar Cueto, Paolo Guerrero and their greatest international footballer of them all, Teofilo 'El Nene" Cubillas, considered by many as one of the greatest footballers of all-time.
For this fight, the abysmal support for Rivadeneyra was seen. Only 30 Peruvian nationals travelled from Lima to Vancouver, Canada to witness if they can upset the champion Spinks for Peru to have their first boxer to be crowned as a world champion. A difficult task at hand.
Back in the 1960s decade, Peru had the opportunity to have their first world championship in boxing when Light-Heavyweight contender, a black fighter by the name of Mauro Mina, who beat the great Bob Foster, and top contenders like Henry Hank, Jesse Bowdry, Eddie Cotton (twice) and Gregorio Peralta was making headlines. Why Mina never fought for a world title? I don't know.
Three months earlier, in September 1983, Orlando Romero, another Peruvian boxing idol, challenged super star WBA World Lightweight Champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini of Youngstown, OH. Romero got knocked out in 9 rounds.
Now, it's Rivadeneyra's turn to try to win a world crown for his country. Will he be the first? Let's see.
Now, undisputed champion, Spinks took the whole summer off of the year 1983 and focused on his biggest priority in his life, his daughter Michelle.
On November 25th, Spinks had his first challenge of his undisputed crown and seventh title defense overall, against contender Oscar Rivadeneyra of Peru. Rivadeneyra, a black boxer, was undefeated in 18 bouts. He started his career in 1979. Like Spinks, he was perfect at 18-0, with 12 knockouts. His most notorious win was against top contender Jerry Celestine of New Orleans, Spinks' former sparring partner and KO victim in June 1982.
The South American nation of Peru was never a country rich in boxing tradition like other Latin countries. Their main national sport is football. Peru has won major football titles in South America at international level when national football teams are concerned. But, recently, their football has been regressing for some time and reason. Their last major win was Copa America in 1975 when they defeated the mighty Brazilians.
Peru since 1969, have produced a great deal of fantastic international footballers of great quality throughout the years like Jose Velasquez, Roberto Challe, Hugo "El Cholo" Sotil, Hector Chumpitaz, Claudio Pizarro, Cesar Cueto, Paolo Guerrero and their greatest international footballer of them all, Teofilo 'El Nene" Cubillas, considered by many as one of the greatest footballers of all-time.
For this fight, the abysmal support for Rivadeneyra was seen. Only 30 Peruvian nationals travelled from Lima to Vancouver, Canada to witness if they can upset the champion Spinks for Peru to have their first boxer to be crowned as a world champion. A difficult task at hand.
Back in the 1960s decade, Peru had the opportunity to have their first world championship in boxing when Light-Heavyweight contender, a black fighter by the name of Mauro Mina, who beat the great Bob Foster, and top contenders like Henry Hank, Jesse Bowdry, Eddie Cotton (twice) and Gregorio Peralta was making headlines. Why Mina never fought for a world title? I don't know.
Three months earlier, in September 1983, Orlando Romero, another Peruvian boxing idol, challenged super star WBA World Lightweight Champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini of Youngstown, OH. Romero got knocked out in 9 rounds.
Now, it's Rivadeneyra's turn to try to win a world crown for his country. Will he be the first? Let's see.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Michael Spinks, the World Light-Heavyweight Champion from St Louis, MO is a 5-1 betting favorite to win this fight. It's his first title defense as undisputed champion and seventh defense overall. He came to the fight in a pretty good shape. Will the inactivity affect him? Perhaps. But, he is a professional and knows the tricks of the trade. A dangerous profession.
At age 27, Spinks is at the prime of his career. He came to the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada with a record of 23-0, with 16 knockouts.
By this time, Spinks was compared with the great light-heavyweights of the past like Archie Moore, Gene Tunney, Ezzard Charles, Tommy Loughran, and Bob Foster. Is he the best of them all? Perhaps. But some have their own way of rating great boxers. But, at this point, Spinks is one of the 175lbs division best and one of the best fighters, pound per pound, of his era.
Challenger Oscar Rivadeneyra of Peru has little hope to unseat this great champion. At 5'9", to start, he got a big disadvantage. Spinks height is 6'2".
The fight started and the challenger, was fighting backing up, using lateral movement. Spinks was just relaxed and picking his spots. In round 2, the challenger scored with a left hook that stung the champion. But, nothing else happened. But, the challenger, already received a cut in his left eyelid. It was a big gash. Surprisingly, Spinks also suffered a big cut on his left eyelid. Was this a product of inactivity? Because he was also breathing heavily.
Spinks went for the kill, but the challenger Rivadeneyra was slick and sliding side to side. He was a difficult target. Spinks was desperately looking for the knockout and getting over with. He was somehow frustrated in the first five rounds.
But, after 5 rounds, Spinks came into his senses and realized that sometimes stoppages don't come easily and right away. There was something in Rivadeneyra's style that was making the knockout slipping. Spinks used his left jab and started to pile up points.
Rivadeneyra's left eyelid kept bleeding. His corner could showed that it was very inept and inexperienced. This fight could be stopped by cuts. By round 7, Spinks' white trunks was spilled with the challenger's blood. He got the fight in control. He settled down. And his punches were much more crisps and effective.
It was all downhill for the Peruvian challenger since the 6th stanza. Spinks was peppering him with crisp jabs and combinations, but Rivadeneyra's will and determination could not be discounted.
In round 10, Spinks caught the challenger with a wicked shot. A couple of more punches and Rivadeneyra went down by a left uppercut. That's all what Spinks needed it. After the 8-count, Spinks, like a shark looking for blood went after his prey. The constant pressure wicked combinations plus the tiredness of the challenger took its toll. Rivadeneyra was fight for survival at this point. Another combination ending with another left uppercut and a right hand shot and it was over. The referee, Joe Cortez of Puerto Rico, had to stop the fight.
The winner by technical knockout in the tenth round and still the undefeated and Undisputed, Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World! Michael Spinks!
Spinks improves to 24-0, with 17 knockouts.
Rivadeneyra loses for the first time in his career. He dropped to 18-1, with 12 knockouts. He tried his best to bring a world title for Peru for the first time, but, he was facing a terrific champion that could be probably the greatest boxer ever of that 175lbs division. Spinks was too big, too much and too strong. It was a long hill to climb and to produce an upset. Rivadeneyra fights 4 more times losing two more and retires in the year 1990 with a record of 20-3, with 14 knockouts.
As for the champion Spinks, what's next for him? A jump to heavyweight to challenge the great champion Larry Holmes of Easton, PA? Or wait for the challenge of the great Middleweight World Champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler of Brockton, MA? Both could be lucrative fights. Is up to Holmes or Marvelous to sign up the contracts. How many million of dollars could one of these fights produce? Is up to the champions if they want it or not.
At age 27, Spinks is at the prime of his career. He came to the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada with a record of 23-0, with 16 knockouts.
By this time, Spinks was compared with the great light-heavyweights of the past like Archie Moore, Gene Tunney, Ezzard Charles, Tommy Loughran, and Bob Foster. Is he the best of them all? Perhaps. But some have their own way of rating great boxers. But, at this point, Spinks is one of the 175lbs division best and one of the best fighters, pound per pound, of his era.
Challenger Oscar Rivadeneyra of Peru has little hope to unseat this great champion. At 5'9", to start, he got a big disadvantage. Spinks height is 6'2".
The fight started and the challenger, was fighting backing up, using lateral movement. Spinks was just relaxed and picking his spots. In round 2, the challenger scored with a left hook that stung the champion. But, nothing else happened. But, the challenger, already received a cut in his left eyelid. It was a big gash. Surprisingly, Spinks also suffered a big cut on his left eyelid. Was this a product of inactivity? Because he was also breathing heavily.
Spinks went for the kill, but the challenger Rivadeneyra was slick and sliding side to side. He was a difficult target. Spinks was desperately looking for the knockout and getting over with. He was somehow frustrated in the first five rounds.
But, after 5 rounds, Spinks came into his senses and realized that sometimes stoppages don't come easily and right away. There was something in Rivadeneyra's style that was making the knockout slipping. Spinks used his left jab and started to pile up points.
Rivadeneyra's left eyelid kept bleeding. His corner could showed that it was very inept and inexperienced. This fight could be stopped by cuts. By round 7, Spinks' white trunks was spilled with the challenger's blood. He got the fight in control. He settled down. And his punches were much more crisps and effective.
It was all downhill for the Peruvian challenger since the 6th stanza. Spinks was peppering him with crisp jabs and combinations, but Rivadeneyra's will and determination could not be discounted.
In round 10, Spinks caught the challenger with a wicked shot. A couple of more punches and Rivadeneyra went down by a left uppercut. That's all what Spinks needed it. After the 8-count, Spinks, like a shark looking for blood went after his prey. The constant pressure wicked combinations plus the tiredness of the challenger took its toll. Rivadeneyra was fight for survival at this point. Another combination ending with another left uppercut and a right hand shot and it was over. The referee, Joe Cortez of Puerto Rico, had to stop the fight.
The winner by technical knockout in the tenth round and still the undefeated and Undisputed, Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World! Michael Spinks!
Spinks improves to 24-0, with 17 knockouts.
Rivadeneyra loses for the first time in his career. He dropped to 18-1, with 12 knockouts. He tried his best to bring a world title for Peru for the first time, but, he was facing a terrific champion that could be probably the greatest boxer ever of that 175lbs division. Spinks was too big, too much and too strong. It was a long hill to climb and to produce an upset. Rivadeneyra fights 4 more times losing two more and retires in the year 1990 with a record of 20-3, with 14 knockouts.
As for the champion Spinks, what's next for him? A jump to heavyweight to challenge the great champion Larry Holmes of Easton, PA? Or wait for the challenge of the great Middleweight World Champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler of Brockton, MA? Both could be lucrative fights. Is up to Holmes or Marvelous to sign up the contracts. How many million of dollars could one of these fights produce? Is up to the champions if they want it or not.
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elmersalsa
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Michael Spinks only fight in 1984 was against top rated contender Eddie Davis of Long Island, NY. The fight happened on Saturday, February 25, 1984 at the Resort International in Atlantic City, NJ.
This was Spinks's 9th title defense of his WBA World Light-Heavyweight Crown and his 3rd defense of his Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Championship. Spinks, age 28, also defended his crown against Davis' brother Johnny in September 1982, stopping the difficult challenger in 9 rounds.
Now, it is Eddie's turn to avenge the defeat of his brother Johnny. It's the second time that Eddie is fighting for a world title. In November of 1982, he challenged then WBC World Light-Heavyweight Champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi. He lost to Qawi by an 11th round TKO stoppage. This is his second shot at a world title that if he wins, he will become the Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Champion at age 32. Davis started his professional career in 1975. And with a record of 27-3-1, with 17 knockouts is ready for the task.
Among his highlights, he also lost by 7th round technical knockout against former champion Marvin Johnson of Indianapolis, IN in 1978. He also beat future champion Murray Sutherland of Scotland by technical knockout in 6 on June 1982.
This was Spinks's 9th title defense of his WBA World Light-Heavyweight Crown and his 3rd defense of his Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Championship. Spinks, age 28, also defended his crown against Davis' brother Johnny in September 1982, stopping the difficult challenger in 9 rounds.
Now, it is Eddie's turn to avenge the defeat of his brother Johnny. It's the second time that Eddie is fighting for a world title. In November of 1982, he challenged then WBC World Light-Heavyweight Champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi. He lost to Qawi by an 11th round TKO stoppage. This is his second shot at a world title that if he wins, he will become the Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Champion at age 32. Davis started his professional career in 1975. And with a record of 27-3-1, with 17 knockouts is ready for the task.
Among his highlights, he also lost by 7th round technical knockout against former champion Marvin Johnson of Indianapolis, IN in 1978. He also beat future champion Murray Sutherland of Scotland by technical knockout in 6 on June 1982.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The bell rang and champion Michael Spinks, a slow starter, looked a little bit confused with Eddie Davis's style. Davis was in command of the fight until round 4.
Still close fight by round 5, the champion Spinks started to dominate with bad intended left hooks and right crosses. Both men took sever punishment.
In round 8, Davis took command and scored big in round 9. It was a close fight by the tenth round. Spinks, also exhausted, did his last great effort in scoring some big right hands, but Davis didn't go anywhere.
Davis though, did valiantly and finished the fight which was WBC's ruling then of only 12 rounds.
Spinks and Davis heard the final bell and both thought that they won the fight. When the scorecards were announced, it was Michael Spinks, still the Undisputed and Undefeated World Light-Heavyweight Champion.
Davis didn't throw enough punches to take the title off Spinks. In my way of scoring a fight, especially a world title fight, the challenger for him to win the title from the champion, he got to overwhelm him. Davis didn't do that. Some people in the crowd and even the TV announcers from CBS, Gil Clancy and Tim Ryan, surprisingly, scored the fight for Davis.
The judges scored it the following:
Carol Castellano of New Jersey scored it 115-114 for Spinks.
Joe Cortez of Puerto Rico scored it 119-109 for Spinks.
And Larry Hazzard of New Jersey scored it 118-111 Spinks. I don't know what fight Cortez and Hazzard were watching. It was unbalanced. It was much closer than that. And it was a good fight. I scored it 117-113 for Spinks.
Still close fight by round 5, the champion Spinks started to dominate with bad intended left hooks and right crosses. Both men took sever punishment.
In round 8, Davis took command and scored big in round 9. It was a close fight by the tenth round. Spinks, also exhausted, did his last great effort in scoring some big right hands, but Davis didn't go anywhere.
Davis though, did valiantly and finished the fight which was WBC's ruling then of only 12 rounds.
Spinks and Davis heard the final bell and both thought that they won the fight. When the scorecards were announced, it was Michael Spinks, still the Undisputed and Undefeated World Light-Heavyweight Champion.
Davis didn't throw enough punches to take the title off Spinks. In my way of scoring a fight, especially a world title fight, the challenger for him to win the title from the champion, he got to overwhelm him. Davis didn't do that. Some people in the crowd and even the TV announcers from CBS, Gil Clancy and Tim Ryan, surprisingly, scored the fight for Davis.
The judges scored it the following:
Carol Castellano of New Jersey scored it 115-114 for Spinks.
Joe Cortez of Puerto Rico scored it 119-109 for Spinks.
And Larry Hazzard of New Jersey scored it 118-111 Spinks. I don't know what fight Cortez and Hazzard were watching. It was unbalanced. It was much closer than that. And it was a good fight. I scored it 117-113 for Spinks.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
What happened to that excellent boxer Eddie Davis afterwards?
Well, he fought 9 more times, winning 7 of them. He lost again to former champion Marvin Johnson this time by a 5th round technical knockout in 1985. After a four -fight win streak, Davis lost his last chance for a world title against Donny Lalonde of Canada for the vacant WBC World Light-Heavyweight Championship in 1987. Davis lost by a second round technical knockout and retired with a record of 34-6-1 with 20KOs.
As for Spinks, he improves to 25-0, with 17 knockouts.
Well, he fought 9 more times, winning 7 of them. He lost again to former champion Marvin Johnson this time by a 5th round technical knockout in 1985. After a four -fight win streak, Davis lost his last chance for a world title against Donny Lalonde of Canada for the vacant WBC World Light-Heavyweight Championship in 1987. Davis lost by a second round technical knockout and retired with a record of 34-6-1 with 20KOs.
As for Spinks, he improves to 25-0, with 17 knockouts.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Michael Spinks vs Eddie Davis
World Light-Heavyweight Championship
Saturday, February 25, 1984
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The great Michael Spinks, the Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Champion from St Louis, MO vowe or promised that he would be much busier in the ring for the year 1985. At age 28, Spinks seems to run out of opponents. What happened with a rematch with Dwight Muhammad Qawi? It didn't happened. Qawi jumped to cruiserweight.
All of the best fighters of the 175lbs division seemed to be gone: Matthew Saad Muhammad, Alvaro "Yaqui" Lopez, Murray Sutherland, Victor Galindez, Jerry Celestine, Jerry Martin, and Marvin Johnson and the likes, were not part of the championship picture.
There was a new blood. But, is the new blood of fighters in that division any good?
On February 23rd, Spinks had his mandatory defense against unknown challenger David Sears of Queens, NY. Although Sears was undefeated with a 16-0-1 record, he was no match for Spinks the champion. They fought at the Sands Hotel Casino in Atlantic City. A big right hand by Spinks, his "Spinks' Jinx Punch" dropped Sears in round 3 and that was that. When Sears got up, Spinks finished him with a series of rights and left bombs and the American referee, Larry Hazzard, had to stop the fight.
On the 41st anniversary of D-Day in June 6 at the Riviera Sports Casino in Las Vegas, NV, Spinks had another mandatory named Jim MacDonald of Nashville, TN. MacDonald, an ex-marine, was undefeated with a record of 16-0, with 15KOs. So the guy at least had the punch. But, like Sears, he wasn't even a match. From round one, you could see the champ's superiority. It was a mismatch that lasted 8 rounds. At least MacDonald was game. But he was facing one of the all-time best of the division and one of the best fighters of the 80s decade. MacDonald was dropped in the 6th, 7th and twice in the 8th round. His face was a mess. He had big gashes on both corners of his eyes. The American referee, David Pearl, stopped the contest from further damage.
In both fights, Spinks improves to 27-0, with 19 knockouts.
After the fight with MacDonald, Spinks sets his eyes for the Lineal and Undefeated IBF World Heavyweight Champion, the great Larry Holmes of Easton, PA. He wants to be the first Light-Heavyweight Champion to win the World Heavyweight Championship. The fight is set for September 19, 1985 in Las Vegas.
All of the best fighters of the 175lbs division seemed to be gone: Matthew Saad Muhammad, Alvaro "Yaqui" Lopez, Murray Sutherland, Victor Galindez, Jerry Celestine, Jerry Martin, and Marvin Johnson and the likes, were not part of the championship picture.
There was a new blood. But, is the new blood of fighters in that division any good?
On February 23rd, Spinks had his mandatory defense against unknown challenger David Sears of Queens, NY. Although Sears was undefeated with a 16-0-1 record, he was no match for Spinks the champion. They fought at the Sands Hotel Casino in Atlantic City. A big right hand by Spinks, his "Spinks' Jinx Punch" dropped Sears in round 3 and that was that. When Sears got up, Spinks finished him with a series of rights and left bombs and the American referee, Larry Hazzard, had to stop the fight.
On the 41st anniversary of D-Day in June 6 at the Riviera Sports Casino in Las Vegas, NV, Spinks had another mandatory named Jim MacDonald of Nashville, TN. MacDonald, an ex-marine, was undefeated with a record of 16-0, with 15KOs. So the guy at least had the punch. But, like Sears, he wasn't even a match. From round one, you could see the champ's superiority. It was a mismatch that lasted 8 rounds. At least MacDonald was game. But he was facing one of the all-time best of the division and one of the best fighters of the 80s decade. MacDonald was dropped in the 6th, 7th and twice in the 8th round. His face was a mess. He had big gashes on both corners of his eyes. The American referee, David Pearl, stopped the contest from further damage.
In both fights, Spinks improves to 27-0, with 19 knockouts.
After the fight with MacDonald, Spinks sets his eyes for the Lineal and Undefeated IBF World Heavyweight Champion, the great Larry Holmes of Easton, PA. He wants to be the first Light-Heavyweight Champion to win the World Heavyweight Championship. The fight is set for September 19, 1985 in Las Vegas.
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BroughtonRulesRefuge
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
- Poor Tubby Lar wanted to make Rocky History. So enter the magnificent Kryptonite of Mike Spinks with his super Jinx right hand that froze the statuesque Lar into near Rigor Mortis. Thus his Ring Belt and his MickeyMouse IBF Belt transferred to Spinks who promptly made a run on the bank before retirement as a legend in his day... 
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The $64,000 dollar question is, why Light-Heavyweight champions, in some cases, want to challenge the Heavyweight Champion of the World?
Easy answer. Maybe it's because of the case of Michael Spinks, the Undisputed and Undefeated World Light-Heavyweight Champion from St Louis, MO, ran out of challengers. There was none on the horizon that the boxing experts could see to give him a great challenge. There wasn't any.
Another answer simply is: much more money. Of the eight original weight classes in boxing history, the Light-heavyweight division is one of the most forgotten. That could be maybe because the boxing fan eye is set on the heavyweights. The most lucrative division in boxing. The heavyweights always been the top dogs. It's like if they are the President of the United States. It's the top of the tops. They are THE BIG DOGS. Simply put, the strongest and baddest man on the planet. They are the ones that for years, were getting the biggest paydays. As the saying goes, as long we got the heavyweights, we got boxing. It's the pinnacle of all boxing men. And the most singular coveted crown in sports. There's nothing like it.
Many Light-Heavyweight kings have tried until then, to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World. About 8 men failed to do so: Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Georges Carpentier, Tommy Loughran, John Henry Lewis, Billy Conn (twice), Joey Maxim, Archie Moore (twice), and Bob Foster.
Three of those men mentioned had some of the most famous and classic bouts in boxing history. Georges Carpentier of France challenged the legendary American Heavyweight Champion of the World, the Manassa Mauler, Jack Dempsey in 1921. It was the first million-dollar gate fight in history. The other two fights were Billy Conn against heavyweight King, the beloved Joe Louis in 1941, and Rocky Marciano's last fight in 1955 when he defended his crown against the Ol' Mongoose, Archie Moore. Moore and Conn were the closest to win the World Heavyweight Title.
For this fight, Spinks approached this fight in some unorthodox type of training regimen compared to his unorthodox boxing style. He hired a nutritionist named Mackie Shilstone of New Orleans, LA.
With unorthodox boxing training methods and regimen, Spinks took Shilstone on to help him get the pounds needed without an ounce of fat in Spinks' body. Instead of long jogs for stamina, Spinks worked on speed and 200 meter sprints. He lifted weights rigorously and had a total different diet. He started with heavyweights, guys that weigh in much heavier than he. As the days went by, Spinks said that he felt better, stronger and faster.
Easy answer. Maybe it's because of the case of Michael Spinks, the Undisputed and Undefeated World Light-Heavyweight Champion from St Louis, MO, ran out of challengers. There was none on the horizon that the boxing experts could see to give him a great challenge. There wasn't any.
Another answer simply is: much more money. Of the eight original weight classes in boxing history, the Light-heavyweight division is one of the most forgotten. That could be maybe because the boxing fan eye is set on the heavyweights. The most lucrative division in boxing. The heavyweights always been the top dogs. It's like if they are the President of the United States. It's the top of the tops. They are THE BIG DOGS. Simply put, the strongest and baddest man on the planet. They are the ones that for years, were getting the biggest paydays. As the saying goes, as long we got the heavyweights, we got boxing. It's the pinnacle of all boxing men. And the most singular coveted crown in sports. There's nothing like it.
Many Light-Heavyweight kings have tried until then, to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World. About 8 men failed to do so: Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Georges Carpentier, Tommy Loughran, John Henry Lewis, Billy Conn (twice), Joey Maxim, Archie Moore (twice), and Bob Foster.
Three of those men mentioned had some of the most famous and classic bouts in boxing history. Georges Carpentier of France challenged the legendary American Heavyweight Champion of the World, the Manassa Mauler, Jack Dempsey in 1921. It was the first million-dollar gate fight in history. The other two fights were Billy Conn against heavyweight King, the beloved Joe Louis in 1941, and Rocky Marciano's last fight in 1955 when he defended his crown against the Ol' Mongoose, Archie Moore. Moore and Conn were the closest to win the World Heavyweight Title.
For this fight, Spinks approached this fight in some unorthodox type of training regimen compared to his unorthodox boxing style. He hired a nutritionist named Mackie Shilstone of New Orleans, LA.
With unorthodox boxing training methods and regimen, Spinks took Shilstone on to help him get the pounds needed without an ounce of fat in Spinks' body. Instead of long jogs for stamina, Spinks worked on speed and 200 meter sprints. He lifted weights rigorously and had a total different diet. He started with heavyweights, guys that weigh in much heavier than he. As the days went by, Spinks said that he felt better, stronger and faster.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
On the other side of the spectrum, is the great Larry Holmes. The IBF and Linear Undefeated Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Even though Holmes, 35, of Easton, PA never unified the crowns at heavyweight, everybody knew then who was the real and linear champion. He beat the man that beat the man. And he was on top of the world for 7 long years. He already had 20 title defenses up to date.
Holmes won the WBC World Heavyweight Championship on June 9, 1978 when he defeated champion Ken Norton by split decision in Las Vegas, NV in one of the greatest fights of all-time. It was an underrated great heavyweight battle that both fighters gave everything they had. They gave those that saw them that day, guts, skills and glory. The 15th and final round of that fight is one of the greatest rounds of all-time.
Since then, Holmes has defended the crown 20 times! Five title defenses short of Joe Louis's record. And with all the things that he accomplished, Holmes felt that at 48-0, with 34 knockouts, still didn't get the recognition and respect of former all-time great heavyweight champions. He wasn't popular as his predecessor, the great Muhammad Ali. He was fighting under Ali's shadow. And some people didn't liked him even more when he added the fuel to the fire when he defeated Ali on October 2, 1980 defense in Las Vegas. Holmes beat an old and ill former champion. The fight was so lopsided, that a lot of people cried for murder. That the fight should have never happened in the first place. That wasn't enough. Even though you beat the man that beat the man.
But, what could Holmes do? Let an old and ill former 38-year old champion take his title? Or beat Ali? He is unfortunately in the hurting business. He got to eat. He had a family of wife and children to feed. He got to keep his title. He got to keep winning. Ain't that the way of the game?
In June 1982, Holmes became The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year when he had his greatest win of his career when he defeated by knockout in 13 grueling rounds against the so called White Hope, the undefeated hard-punching challenger from Long Island, NY, Gerry Cooney. It was a fight that pit racially divided tensions and circumstances. Holmes won that fight in convincing fashion. But, it wasn't enough. What else he got left to be respected and revered? The answer is nothing. Holmes came in boxing at the wrong time. Just like the great Ezzard Charles wasn't appreciated as Heavyweight King when he defeated the great Joe Louis, neither was Holmes when he defeated Ali. Both champions succeed it beloved legends that were tough as an act to follow.
But, Holmes wanted to make boxing history for himself. At 48-0, he wanted to tie Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record of 49-0 on beating Spinks. Then beat another challenger and retire undefeated with a 50-0 record and this time will get the recognition and respect that he longed all these years, right? Wrong. Holmes was disrespecting Marciano's record and legacy by saying that Marciano, a white Italian-American, was an overrated young champion beating old legends and that he, Holmes, an African American, was an old champion defending against young turks. Those statements were another fuel to the fire to Marciano's fans.
Among other great wins by Holmes at that point in time, he beat Tim Witherspoon (W12), Earnie Shavers (twice), Renaldo Snipes (WTKO11) and Leon Spinks, Michael's brother (LTKO2).
But, at 35 and latest performances in the ring, the aging champion had a lot to be desired. He looked not himself and ready to be taken.
Even though Holmes, 35, of Easton, PA never unified the crowns at heavyweight, everybody knew then who was the real and linear champion. He beat the man that beat the man. And he was on top of the world for 7 long years. He already had 20 title defenses up to date.
Holmes won the WBC World Heavyweight Championship on June 9, 1978 when he defeated champion Ken Norton by split decision in Las Vegas, NV in one of the greatest fights of all-time. It was an underrated great heavyweight battle that both fighters gave everything they had. They gave those that saw them that day, guts, skills and glory. The 15th and final round of that fight is one of the greatest rounds of all-time.
Since then, Holmes has defended the crown 20 times! Five title defenses short of Joe Louis's record. And with all the things that he accomplished, Holmes felt that at 48-0, with 34 knockouts, still didn't get the recognition and respect of former all-time great heavyweight champions. He wasn't popular as his predecessor, the great Muhammad Ali. He was fighting under Ali's shadow. And some people didn't liked him even more when he added the fuel to the fire when he defeated Ali on October 2, 1980 defense in Las Vegas. Holmes beat an old and ill former champion. The fight was so lopsided, that a lot of people cried for murder. That the fight should have never happened in the first place. That wasn't enough. Even though you beat the man that beat the man.
But, what could Holmes do? Let an old and ill former 38-year old champion take his title? Or beat Ali? He is unfortunately in the hurting business. He got to eat. He had a family of wife and children to feed. He got to keep his title. He got to keep winning. Ain't that the way of the game?
In June 1982, Holmes became The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year when he had his greatest win of his career when he defeated by knockout in 13 grueling rounds against the so called White Hope, the undefeated hard-punching challenger from Long Island, NY, Gerry Cooney. It was a fight that pit racially divided tensions and circumstances. Holmes won that fight in convincing fashion. But, it wasn't enough. What else he got left to be respected and revered? The answer is nothing. Holmes came in boxing at the wrong time. Just like the great Ezzard Charles wasn't appreciated as Heavyweight King when he defeated the great Joe Louis, neither was Holmes when he defeated Ali. Both champions succeed it beloved legends that were tough as an act to follow.
But, Holmes wanted to make boxing history for himself. At 48-0, he wanted to tie Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record of 49-0 on beating Spinks. Then beat another challenger and retire undefeated with a 50-0 record and this time will get the recognition and respect that he longed all these years, right? Wrong. Holmes was disrespecting Marciano's record and legacy by saying that Marciano, a white Italian-American, was an overrated young champion beating old legends and that he, Holmes, an African American, was an old champion defending against young turks. Those statements were another fuel to the fire to Marciano's fans.
Among other great wins by Holmes at that point in time, he beat Tim Witherspoon (W12), Earnie Shavers (twice), Renaldo Snipes (WTKO11) and Leon Spinks, Michael's brother (LTKO2).
But, at 35 and latest performances in the ring, the aging champion had a lot to be desired. He looked not himself and ready to be taken.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
It was Saturday night of September 21, 1985 at the Riviera Sports Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The great Larry Holmes of Easton, PA, will defend his Lineal and IBF World Heavyweight Championship against the great former Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Champion, Michael Spinks of St Louis, MO.
Both fighters are undefeated. Both fighters are trying to make history. For Holmes at 35, was to tie Rocky Marciano's unbeaten perfect record of 49-0. Holmes is at one win shy to tie it. For Spinks at 29, is to make history as the first Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Spinks bulked himself excellent from 175lbs to a no-fat body of 200lbs. Holmes weigh in 220lbs. Holmes at 6'3" was taller than his challenger by half inch. And had 20lbs over his challenger.
Spinks's training methods caused eyebrows to traditional boxing trainers and experts. He was confident, calm and ready. Most of the boxing experts were convinced that it would be another former 175lbs king beaten by the heavyweight champion.
Holmes, a professional since 1973, was the heavy favorite to retain his title. He had the weight, reach, height and experience advantages over Spinks.
Round one started and both fighters were at ring center measuring each other with the left jab. Holmes, who has one of the greatest jabs in heavyweight boxing history, was using the weapon to perfection. Spinks was matching him jab by jab.
The first two rounds were kind of even. Spinks started firing shots in round 3. He also did well in my view in round 4. By round 7, the fight was slipping for Holmes. He looked tired and weary. His trainers couldn't believe what was happening. Many times he had Spinks measured with his left jab, and then to throw his famous chopping right, he could not pull the trigger. Something in his physical estate was very awkward. Spinks in the other hand, was fighting a very tactical fight by scoring with his uppercuts and move out of the way. It was like if Holmes couldn't hit him cleanly. Are Spinks new methods paying off? There's 8 rounds to go on before the title change hands.
Holmes in deep urgent plea by his handlers, won miraculously rounds 8 and 9. Now, both men are tired. You can see it in the intermission of rounds. Spinks, the fresher boxer and with fresher legs, started to get to Holmes with an in and out formula that Holmes , because of his age, couldn't grasp nor solved. Spinks clearly won the 10th, 11th and 12th rounds.
By round 13, BOTH WERE exhausted to say the least. Lots of bottled water were poured on top of their heads to get cooled off. Both fighters don't want to quit. It's a case now of who wanted to win the most.
Spinks mobility and speed befuddled Holmes. Holmes looked wasted. Holmes miraculously won rounds 13th and 15th. Spinks in my view, won round 14th.
The fight was over, and both fighters were glad that it was over. It was a very underrated fight. One of the best fights of the 80s decade that is not talked much about when is compared and measured to other great fights.
When the scorecards were in, the winner by unanimous decision and new IBF and Linear Heavyweight Champion of the World, Michael Spinks!
Unbelievable! Spinks did the unthinkable and upset the odds. Holmes is undefeated no more.
The judges, Harold Lederman and Dave Moretti scored the fight 143-142, a close one, in favor of Spinks. And Judge Lawrence Wallace scored it 145-142 for the new champion.
Spinks makes boxing history as the first Light-Heavyweight Champion to win the World Heavyweight Title. He did it! The training methods worked! It's the greatest win of his boxing career. Spinks improves to an unbeaten record of 28-0, with 19KOs.
As for Holmes, hurt and downtrodden, loses for the first time in his professional boxing life. He is now 48-1, with 34 knockouts.
A rematch? Let's see!
Both fighters are undefeated. Both fighters are trying to make history. For Holmes at 35, was to tie Rocky Marciano's unbeaten perfect record of 49-0. Holmes is at one win shy to tie it. For Spinks at 29, is to make history as the first Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Spinks bulked himself excellent from 175lbs to a no-fat body of 200lbs. Holmes weigh in 220lbs. Holmes at 6'3" was taller than his challenger by half inch. And had 20lbs over his challenger.
Spinks's training methods caused eyebrows to traditional boxing trainers and experts. He was confident, calm and ready. Most of the boxing experts were convinced that it would be another former 175lbs king beaten by the heavyweight champion.
Holmes, a professional since 1973, was the heavy favorite to retain his title. He had the weight, reach, height and experience advantages over Spinks.
Round one started and both fighters were at ring center measuring each other with the left jab. Holmes, who has one of the greatest jabs in heavyweight boxing history, was using the weapon to perfection. Spinks was matching him jab by jab.
The first two rounds were kind of even. Spinks started firing shots in round 3. He also did well in my view in round 4. By round 7, the fight was slipping for Holmes. He looked tired and weary. His trainers couldn't believe what was happening. Many times he had Spinks measured with his left jab, and then to throw his famous chopping right, he could not pull the trigger. Something in his physical estate was very awkward. Spinks in the other hand, was fighting a very tactical fight by scoring with his uppercuts and move out of the way. It was like if Holmes couldn't hit him cleanly. Are Spinks new methods paying off? There's 8 rounds to go on before the title change hands.
Holmes in deep urgent plea by his handlers, won miraculously rounds 8 and 9. Now, both men are tired. You can see it in the intermission of rounds. Spinks, the fresher boxer and with fresher legs, started to get to Holmes with an in and out formula that Holmes , because of his age, couldn't grasp nor solved. Spinks clearly won the 10th, 11th and 12th rounds.
By round 13, BOTH WERE exhausted to say the least. Lots of bottled water were poured on top of their heads to get cooled off. Both fighters don't want to quit. It's a case now of who wanted to win the most.
Spinks mobility and speed befuddled Holmes. Holmes looked wasted. Holmes miraculously won rounds 13th and 15th. Spinks in my view, won round 14th.
The fight was over, and both fighters were glad that it was over. It was a very underrated fight. One of the best fights of the 80s decade that is not talked much about when is compared and measured to other great fights.
When the scorecards were in, the winner by unanimous decision and new IBF and Linear Heavyweight Champion of the World, Michael Spinks!
Unbelievable! Spinks did the unthinkable and upset the odds. Holmes is undefeated no more.
The judges, Harold Lederman and Dave Moretti scored the fight 143-142, a close one, in favor of Spinks. And Judge Lawrence Wallace scored it 145-142 for the new champion.
Spinks makes boxing history as the first Light-Heavyweight Champion to win the World Heavyweight Title. He did it! The training methods worked! It's the greatest win of his boxing career. Spinks improves to an unbeaten record of 28-0, with 19KOs.
As for Holmes, hurt and downtrodden, loses for the first time in his professional boxing life. He is now 48-1, with 34 knockouts.
A rematch? Let's see!
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
I had scored the fight 145-142 in favor of Michael Spinks.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Michael Spinks made boxing history as the first Light-Heavyweight Champion to win the Heavyweight Crown.
Saturday, September 21, 1985. Las Vegas, NV
Michael Spinks vs Larry Holmes.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
A rematch has to happen, and it did. Even though, the great Larry Holmes of Easton, PA wasn't the Undefeated Heavyweight Champion of the World anymore, he demanded a rematch.
But, in the eyes of many, what really Holmes got to prove? He has been champion for 7 years, he made a lot money, he is a millionaire, he got a beautiful wife and family, and his senses and faculties are intact. So why fight again? To prove what?
Also, let's not forget that he is still young in terms of social circles at age 36, but in professional boxing, is a young man's game as they say. He doesn't have the reflexes and speed that made him champion. His jab is still flickering, but not as years' past. He still can punch hard, but is very slow to pull the trigger. In other words, you are over the hill, Larry. Young and upcoming boxers will feed off you if you don't retire quickly.
Michael Spinks, the new Lineal and IBF World Heavyweight Champion, is ecstatic of his greatest triumph of his boxing career. He became the only man so far as the first Light-Heavyweight Champion to win at least the piece of the heavyweight crown. He is the man that beat the man. At age 29, Spinks has accomplished a lot. He established himself as one of the greatest boxers of his era as well as one of the greatest boxers pound per pound of all-time. He won the Olympic Gold, he became Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Champion, and now, he is the Linear Heavyweight Champion of the World. Too many great accomplishments to mention. He beat the best of the best of his time so far.
Like so many great champions, he welcomed the Holmes' rematch. And why not? He is still young. He is the champion. Anderson now he is in the position to make as the great George Foreman said "As much money as you can!" That's what is professional boxing is all about. To make the most of the money. So this fight for him makes a lot of sense. Why? He already proved that he beat Holmes. Anderson as champion, there's much more money to be made in a rematch. If he loses, there's a possibility of a third match with much more millions of dollars to be set up for life.
But, in the eyes of many, what really Holmes got to prove? He has been champion for 7 years, he made a lot money, he is a millionaire, he got a beautiful wife and family, and his senses and faculties are intact. So why fight again? To prove what?
Also, let's not forget that he is still young in terms of social circles at age 36, but in professional boxing, is a young man's game as they say. He doesn't have the reflexes and speed that made him champion. His jab is still flickering, but not as years' past. He still can punch hard, but is very slow to pull the trigger. In other words, you are over the hill, Larry. Young and upcoming boxers will feed off you if you don't retire quickly.
Michael Spinks, the new Lineal and IBF World Heavyweight Champion, is ecstatic of his greatest triumph of his boxing career. He became the only man so far as the first Light-Heavyweight Champion to win at least the piece of the heavyweight crown. He is the man that beat the man. At age 29, Spinks has accomplished a lot. He established himself as one of the greatest boxers of his era as well as one of the greatest boxers pound per pound of all-time. He won the Olympic Gold, he became Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Champion, and now, he is the Linear Heavyweight Champion of the World. Too many great accomplishments to mention. He beat the best of the best of his time so far.
Like so many great champions, he welcomed the Holmes' rematch. And why not? He is still young. He is the champion. Anderson now he is in the position to make as the great George Foreman said "As much money as you can!" That's what is professional boxing is all about. To make the most of the money. So this fight for him makes a lot of sense. Why? He already proved that he beat Holmes. Anderson as champion, there's much more money to be made in a rematch. If he loses, there's a possibility of a third match with much more millions of dollars to be set up for life.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The rematch was set on Saturday night of April 19, 1986 at the Las Vegas Hilton Center in Las Vegas, NV. Michael Spinks, the unbeaten Lineal and IBF Heavyweight Champion of the World, defends his crown against the former and great champion Larry Holmes.
No longer undefeated, for Holmes is revenge time. He wants to recapture the crown that he worked so hard for, holding it for 7 long years with 20 title defenses. A remarkable accomplishment. At 36, his record is now 48-1, with 34 knockouts. Still a remarkable record in which he is considered as one of the all-time greatest heavyweights.
Spinks, at 29, is undefeated with a record of 28-0, with 19 knockouts. He is coming to prove that the first time they fought wasn't a fluke. That he really won the fight outright and that it didn't had nothing to do, as Holmes portrayed, an unjust decision loss to kept him out of the great Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record of 49-0.
To Holmes, the loss against Spinks, was a way to called it as a "racist" card. He believes that with all his accomplishments, he was never appreciated because he was black, seemingly arrogant at times, and free-thinking like his idol Muhammad Ali. He never understood why the public never embraced him like they embraced Ali. No matter what he had done, he could never escape of Ali's shadow. And the truth of the matter was, he never escaped it. And never will escape from it.
Round one started and Holmes went right at Spinks. In a forcefulness melee in the middle of the ring, Spinks goes to the canvas, but not by a punch. It was much more of a push and shove wrestling kind of thing. Spinks got up and kept doing the same strategy that he did on the first fight. He never gave Holmes a stationary target by moving side to side. But, Holmes seemed much more faster than the first meeting, using his fast jab to perfection.
From rounds 1 to 4, Holmes had a great lead. He won the first 4 rounds in my view. But, somehow and some way, Holmes started to tire. Spinks won rounds 5 and 6.
Both gladiators exchanged rounds 7 to 9. Holmes won rounds 7 and 9. Spinks won rounds 8. It looked like Holmes ran out of gas from rounds 10 and on. His age, was showing up. While Spinks speed and agility and better stamina was offsetting and confusing Holmes. Spinks was throwing an array of fast punches to Holmes face and retrieved every time he thought that Holmes was going to counter.
Both fighters looked spent. In between rounds, Holmes trainer and cornermen were crying out loud to Holmes by imploring him to fight and pull the trigger. Holmes looked like a spent and aged man. He had nothing else left but his pride, will and determination.
In the 14th round, Holmes' cornermen told him to attack at all cost. That he was losing or maybe winning by a hair. Water and more water was poured on his head to refresh and regroup himself. It was useless. Holmes was gasping for air and was wishing that this fight ended soon. No doubt about it on his expression on his face. He deep inside knew that he didn't had it. It's just a matter of time for him to hear the final bell.
A big right hand staggered Spinks. Spinks is shook. He is dazed. But, as one of the most smartest boxers around of his generation, and perhaps of all times, he got out of Holmes' was by circling the ring. He knew that Holmes could not catch him because he knew that Holmes was spent, old and to put it mildly, over the hill.
Spinks kept sticking and moving going around the circle in round 15 and there was nothing that Holmes can do to catch him. When BOTH heard the final bell, they both were glad that the rematch was over. Especially, Holmes.
Holmes came at 223 lbs, while Spinks came 5 pounds heavier at 205 lbs from the first fight.
When the announcer announced the scorecards, it was a split decision. The winner and still, Lineal and IBF Heavyweight Champion of the World! Michael Spinks!
The scorecards by the judges were as followed:
American Judge Frank Brunette had it 144-141, Spinks.
Judge Joe Cortez of Puerto Rico had it 144-141, Holmes.
And American Judge Jerry Roth scored it for Spinks, 144-142.
I saw the fight and to me, Spinks won outright. I scored it 143-142 for him.
It was another classic match of the 80s decade that is not mentioned a lot in boxing history. It was as good and entertaining as the first fight. As for me, I liked both fights. Especially, I was very impressed with Spinks craftiness, resolve and intelligence. Spinks was a very smart fighter. A thinking man's fighter. Now for Spinks, much more millions of dollars are coming his way like never ever before he dreamed of. He is still young and heavyweight champion.
As for Holmes, it was an end of his era. He no longer recaptured the heavyweight crown that at the time, only Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson regained it. Holmes retired from the ring as for now with a record of 48-2, with 34 knockouts.
At age 38, Holmes came back at age 37 in January 1988 in challenging the young great champion Iron Mike Tyson, age 21, who was the Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion and boxing's biggest superstar at the time. Tyson knocked out Holmes in 4 brutal rounds.
No longer undefeated, for Holmes is revenge time. He wants to recapture the crown that he worked so hard for, holding it for 7 long years with 20 title defenses. A remarkable accomplishment. At 36, his record is now 48-1, with 34 knockouts. Still a remarkable record in which he is considered as one of the all-time greatest heavyweights.
Spinks, at 29, is undefeated with a record of 28-0, with 19 knockouts. He is coming to prove that the first time they fought wasn't a fluke. That he really won the fight outright and that it didn't had nothing to do, as Holmes portrayed, an unjust decision loss to kept him out of the great Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record of 49-0.
To Holmes, the loss against Spinks, was a way to called it as a "racist" card. He believes that with all his accomplishments, he was never appreciated because he was black, seemingly arrogant at times, and free-thinking like his idol Muhammad Ali. He never understood why the public never embraced him like they embraced Ali. No matter what he had done, he could never escape of Ali's shadow. And the truth of the matter was, he never escaped it. And never will escape from it.
Round one started and Holmes went right at Spinks. In a forcefulness melee in the middle of the ring, Spinks goes to the canvas, but not by a punch. It was much more of a push and shove wrestling kind of thing. Spinks got up and kept doing the same strategy that he did on the first fight. He never gave Holmes a stationary target by moving side to side. But, Holmes seemed much more faster than the first meeting, using his fast jab to perfection.
From rounds 1 to 4, Holmes had a great lead. He won the first 4 rounds in my view. But, somehow and some way, Holmes started to tire. Spinks won rounds 5 and 6.
Both gladiators exchanged rounds 7 to 9. Holmes won rounds 7 and 9. Spinks won rounds 8. It looked like Holmes ran out of gas from rounds 10 and on. His age, was showing up. While Spinks speed and agility and better stamina was offsetting and confusing Holmes. Spinks was throwing an array of fast punches to Holmes face and retrieved every time he thought that Holmes was going to counter.
Both fighters looked spent. In between rounds, Holmes trainer and cornermen were crying out loud to Holmes by imploring him to fight and pull the trigger. Holmes looked like a spent and aged man. He had nothing else left but his pride, will and determination.
In the 14th round, Holmes' cornermen told him to attack at all cost. That he was losing or maybe winning by a hair. Water and more water was poured on his head to refresh and regroup himself. It was useless. Holmes was gasping for air and was wishing that this fight ended soon. No doubt about it on his expression on his face. He deep inside knew that he didn't had it. It's just a matter of time for him to hear the final bell.
A big right hand staggered Spinks. Spinks is shook. He is dazed. But, as one of the most smartest boxers around of his generation, and perhaps of all times, he got out of Holmes' was by circling the ring. He knew that Holmes could not catch him because he knew that Holmes was spent, old and to put it mildly, over the hill.
Spinks kept sticking and moving going around the circle in round 15 and there was nothing that Holmes can do to catch him. When BOTH heard the final bell, they both were glad that the rematch was over. Especially, Holmes.
Holmes came at 223 lbs, while Spinks came 5 pounds heavier at 205 lbs from the first fight.
When the announcer announced the scorecards, it was a split decision. The winner and still, Lineal and IBF Heavyweight Champion of the World! Michael Spinks!
The scorecards by the judges were as followed:
American Judge Frank Brunette had it 144-141, Spinks.
Judge Joe Cortez of Puerto Rico had it 144-141, Holmes.
And American Judge Jerry Roth scored it for Spinks, 144-142.
I saw the fight and to me, Spinks won outright. I scored it 143-142 for him.
It was another classic match of the 80s decade that is not mentioned a lot in boxing history. It was as good and entertaining as the first fight. As for me, I liked both fights. Especially, I was very impressed with Spinks craftiness, resolve and intelligence. Spinks was a very smart fighter. A thinking man's fighter. Now for Spinks, much more millions of dollars are coming his way like never ever before he dreamed of. He is still young and heavyweight champion.
As for Holmes, it was an end of his era. He no longer recaptured the heavyweight crown that at the time, only Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson regained it. Holmes retired from the ring as for now with a record of 48-2, with 34 knockouts.
At age 38, Holmes came back at age 37 in January 1988 in challenging the young great champion Iron Mike Tyson, age 21, who was the Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion and boxing's biggest superstar at the time. Tyson knocked out Holmes in 4 brutal rounds.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Michael Spinks vs Larry Holmes (II)
Saturday, April 19, 1986. Las Vegas, NV
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
After finally beaten the great Larry Holmes twice and for good, there was talks of a World Heavyweight Championship Tournament to decide who the real champion should be in the heavyweight division.
Michael Spinks had another title defense of his Lineal and IBF World Heavyweight Championship when on Saturday night of September 6, 1986, defended easily his crown against Steffen Tangstad of Norway.
Tangstad was residing in Los Angeles, CA because in his country, is not allowed to practice the brutal sport of boxing. And ironically, even though that he wasn't living in Norway, he still paid taxes. How could that be? How in the world you pay taxes in a country that your are not residing? And even at that, his countrymen followed him and he was a cult hero.
He was a two-time European Heavyweight Champion. But, with weak opposition, nobody gave him a shot to beat the overblown heavyweight champion Spinks, who at 30, was undefeated with a record of 29-0, with 19 knockouts.
Even with a decent record of 24-1-2, it wasn't enough. Spinks dispatched the Scandinavian hero in only 4 rounds with a left hook. Tangstad went to the floor twice. It was over.
Spinks improves to 30-0, with 20 knockouts.
Michael Spinks had another title defense of his Lineal and IBF World Heavyweight Championship when on Saturday night of September 6, 1986, defended easily his crown against Steffen Tangstad of Norway.
Tangstad was residing in Los Angeles, CA because in his country, is not allowed to practice the brutal sport of boxing. And ironically, even though that he wasn't living in Norway, he still paid taxes. How could that be? How in the world you pay taxes in a country that your are not residing? And even at that, his countrymen followed him and he was a cult hero.
He was a two-time European Heavyweight Champion. But, with weak opposition, nobody gave him a shot to beat the overblown heavyweight champion Spinks, who at 30, was undefeated with a record of 29-0, with 19 knockouts.
Even with a decent record of 24-1-2, it wasn't enough. Spinks dispatched the Scandinavian hero in only 4 rounds with a left hook. Tangstad went to the floor twice. It was over.
Spinks improves to 30-0, with 20 knockouts.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
For some reason, Michael Spinks, the Lineal and IBF World Heavyweight Champion, retired from the Heavyweight Elimination Tournament to decide the real heavyweight King. What was the reason? Big bucks.
Spinks was about getting the big bucks now. He established himself as a true all-time pound per pound great and a brilliant heavyweight champion. And according to him and his manager, Butch Lewis, it's about to get the most money as you can while you're on top.
Spinks retired from the tournament and relinquished his IBF World Heavyweight Title. It was an useless tournament that according to him, it was not as important as the big bucks. But, The Ring Magazine and other boxing media and organizations, recognized him and not the other champions, as the Real Heavyweight Champion of the World because he was the man that beat the man. So, Spinks is The Man!
Spinks was about getting the big bucks now. He established himself as a true all-time pound per pound great and a brilliant heavyweight champion. And according to him and his manager, Butch Lewis, it's about to get the most money as you can while you're on top.
Spinks retired from the tournament and relinquished his IBF World Heavyweight Title. It was an useless tournament that according to him, it was not as important as the big bucks. But, The Ring Magazine and other boxing media and organizations, recognized him and not the other champions, as the Real Heavyweight Champion of the World because he was the man that beat the man. So, Spinks is The Man!
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Gerry Cooney, the once feared towing White Hope and heavyweight contender, returns to the ring at age 30. At 6'7", Cooney and the great Michael Spinks agreed to a World Heavyweight Championship fight approved by The Ring Magazine and other sanctioning bodies as the real heavyweight championship. Spinks was still recognized as the champion.
Spinks is about to receive $4 million dollars for this fight with Cooney. Cooney received $2.5 million.
Even though the young superstar and Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, the feared and sensational Mike Tyson had all the belts, the opinions of many were divided. Spinks, in the eyes of many, relinquished the crown and Tyson now got the belts. But, in the other side of the contingent, Spinks is the man that beat the man.
It was Monday, June 15, 1987 at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ for the Lineal and Ring Magazine Real Heavyweight Championship.
After losing to the great Larry Holmes by 13th round stoppage in June 1982, for Holmes Lineal and WBC World Heavyweight Title, Cooney retired.
But, in 1984, he started a comeback and has won his last 3 fights against non-worthy opponents. He won all 3 fights by knockout and was in the position to fight for a world title. Cooney padded his record of 28-1, with 24 knockouts.
Is Cooney ready for a title fight? At 30 years old, he still young, but is he as formidable before the Holmes fight? Does he still got it? Can he at least put on a great showing? Is he over the hill? How much the loss to Holmes affected him mentally and physically? We will get the answers in minutes.
Spinks, the champion, weighed in at 208lbs. Cooney at 238lbs. Cooney had the edge in reach and height and on paper, punching power. Spinks got the edge in youth. But only for a couple of months or within a year.
The fight started and Spinks as always a thinking man's fighter, started boxing by moving awkwardly side to side without giving the big man Cooney, a clean target to hit. His strategy was clear, just like he did twice with Holmes. Start a flurry and get out quickly. Stick and move.
Cooney was stalking his foe. He got a couple of shots in and even was carrying the fight to Spinks. He did well in the first round.
Round two, three and four was kind of the same way. Spinks circling and scoring with big shots and then retrieve and Cooney hit some shots of his own.
But, all of the sudden, Cooney looks wasted. It is only the fifth round and he gassed out? Spinks by going in and out quickly found Cooney's jaw and the giant White Hope went down. Unbelievable! Spinks went again for the kill with left, rights and left to the jaw again and Cooney went down again to the canvas.
Victor Valle, Cooney's trainer and manager, saw enough and stopped the contest. The winner by TKO in the 5th round and still the Lineal and Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion of the World!...... Michael Spinks!
Spinks wins his 31st fight without a defeat. It was one of his greatest moments and magnificent performances. Some people started to believe in him then. Is he the one that's going to beat the great Mike Tyson for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship? We will see.
As for Cooney, dejected again on his comeback to win the World Heavyweight Championship, retired again at 30. He made one more big comeback fight against the great old and fat former champion George Foreman, but Foreman destroyed him in two rounds and Cooney retired from the sport for good in 1990.
Cooney retired with a record of 28-3, with 24 knockouts.
Spinks, still the real champion in many people's minds, is still undefeated with a record of 31-0, with 21 knockouts. It would be the last knockout win of his brilliant career.
Spinks is about to receive $4 million dollars for this fight with Cooney. Cooney received $2.5 million.
Even though the young superstar and Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, the feared and sensational Mike Tyson had all the belts, the opinions of many were divided. Spinks, in the eyes of many, relinquished the crown and Tyson now got the belts. But, in the other side of the contingent, Spinks is the man that beat the man.
It was Monday, June 15, 1987 at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ for the Lineal and Ring Magazine Real Heavyweight Championship.
After losing to the great Larry Holmes by 13th round stoppage in June 1982, for Holmes Lineal and WBC World Heavyweight Title, Cooney retired.
But, in 1984, he started a comeback and has won his last 3 fights against non-worthy opponents. He won all 3 fights by knockout and was in the position to fight for a world title. Cooney padded his record of 28-1, with 24 knockouts.
Is Cooney ready for a title fight? At 30 years old, he still young, but is he as formidable before the Holmes fight? Does he still got it? Can he at least put on a great showing? Is he over the hill? How much the loss to Holmes affected him mentally and physically? We will get the answers in minutes.
Spinks, the champion, weighed in at 208lbs. Cooney at 238lbs. Cooney had the edge in reach and height and on paper, punching power. Spinks got the edge in youth. But only for a couple of months or within a year.
The fight started and Spinks as always a thinking man's fighter, started boxing by moving awkwardly side to side without giving the big man Cooney, a clean target to hit. His strategy was clear, just like he did twice with Holmes. Start a flurry and get out quickly. Stick and move.
Cooney was stalking his foe. He got a couple of shots in and even was carrying the fight to Spinks. He did well in the first round.
Round two, three and four was kind of the same way. Spinks circling and scoring with big shots and then retrieve and Cooney hit some shots of his own.
But, all of the sudden, Cooney looks wasted. It is only the fifth round and he gassed out? Spinks by going in and out quickly found Cooney's jaw and the giant White Hope went down. Unbelievable! Spinks went again for the kill with left, rights and left to the jaw again and Cooney went down again to the canvas.
Victor Valle, Cooney's trainer and manager, saw enough and stopped the contest. The winner by TKO in the 5th round and still the Lineal and Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion of the World!...... Michael Spinks!
Spinks wins his 31st fight without a defeat. It was one of his greatest moments and magnificent performances. Some people started to believe in him then. Is he the one that's going to beat the great Mike Tyson for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship? We will see.
As for Cooney, dejected again on his comeback to win the World Heavyweight Championship, retired again at 30. He made one more big comeback fight against the great old and fat former champion George Foreman, but Foreman destroyed him in two rounds and Cooney retired from the sport for good in 1990.
Cooney retired with a record of 28-3, with 24 knockouts.
Spinks, still the real champion in many people's minds, is still undefeated with a record of 31-0, with 21 knockouts. It would be the last knockout win of his brilliant career.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Michael Spinks vs Gerry Cooney.
Monday, June 15, 1987. Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ. For the Lineal and Ring Magazine Heavyweight Championship.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Now, a mega-million dollar fight with the Undisputed and Unbeaten World Heavyweight Champion, Iron Mike Tyson is for the talks and long negotiations.
Butch Lewis, the great Michael Spinks promoter and manager, negotiated hard and skillfully against Tyson's promoter Don King and Tyson's management team. There were lots of non concordance and differences between the two camps that it became a sideshow.
There should not be so much havoc for a title fight negotiation, isn't? Everything from the title venue to the ropes of the ring was negotiated.... Brutally.
And why so? Because at the time, Tyson vs Spinks was the richest fight in boxing history. The end of the innocence was gone. Both fighters wanted to get paid. Both fighters wanted the glory. And both fighters agreed that this fight had to happen to end the controversy once and for all, of who is the real Heavyweight Champion of the World.
That's why the promotion of the mega million dollar fight was called "Once and For All" for Monday, June 27, 1988 in Atlantic City, NJ at the Convention Center.
It's hard to believe now, that at the time, American billionaire, Donald Trump, paid $11 million for the site fee of this bout. Twenty-eight years later, in November 2016, Trump became the 45th President of the United States of America.
As for the young Tyson, at 21, the magnificent superstar that took the world by storm, is the face of boxing. Short, dark, stocky and considered one of the hardest punchers that the heavyweight division has ever seen with a ferocity since the great Jack Dempsey, was establishing a new era of heavyweight division. He got to beat the man that beat the man, who is Spinks, age 31, to make it "his era".
On January 1988, six months earlier, Tyson brutally stopped Larry Holmes, one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all-time, in only 4 rounds. The knockout was so brutal that grew concerns in the Spinks's camp and well wisher fans. It was the only time in Holmes' career that he was ever knocked out! Could Spinks beat him? Many boxing experts believed he could. But Tyson was the biggest favorite. Some didn't see that this fight was going to last past 5 rounds.
This was the biggest and most anticipated fight in American soil since Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in March 1971 at Madison Square Garden. Was it as big as Ali vs Frazier in anticipation? Ask the old timers. But, in the sense of dollars, it eclipsed every fight that Ali and Joe Louis ever had combined. There was no question about that.
Tyson for the fight would receive a record $20 million dollars for the fight. Much more than any other fighter in the history of the sport then. Spinks, was to receive $13 million, thanks for the negotiations of his skillful manager and promoter Butch Lewis.
But there were a lot problems and concerns in Tyson's camp before the fight that produced an intriguing story throughout the preparations of this fight. Is Tyson's mind ready? Are the conflicts between Don King, his promoter, and his manager Bill Cayton over the control of Tyson's career a concern? Now, throw in Tyson's wife, actress Robin Givens, who made headlines in fighting with Cayton by suing him of Tyson's career earnings and mismanagement, and you got here a three-ring circus. Tyson, a young gladiator, wants this to end. And quickly. Is he training for the biggest fight of his career? Some gossip about his training was even big concerns. Were they true? Only God knows.
Butch Lewis, the great Michael Spinks promoter and manager, negotiated hard and skillfully against Tyson's promoter Don King and Tyson's management team. There were lots of non concordance and differences between the two camps that it became a sideshow.
There should not be so much havoc for a title fight negotiation, isn't? Everything from the title venue to the ropes of the ring was negotiated.... Brutally.
And why so? Because at the time, Tyson vs Spinks was the richest fight in boxing history. The end of the innocence was gone. Both fighters wanted to get paid. Both fighters wanted the glory. And both fighters agreed that this fight had to happen to end the controversy once and for all, of who is the real Heavyweight Champion of the World.
That's why the promotion of the mega million dollar fight was called "Once and For All" for Monday, June 27, 1988 in Atlantic City, NJ at the Convention Center.
It's hard to believe now, that at the time, American billionaire, Donald Trump, paid $11 million for the site fee of this bout. Twenty-eight years later, in November 2016, Trump became the 45th President of the United States of America.
As for the young Tyson, at 21, the magnificent superstar that took the world by storm, is the face of boxing. Short, dark, stocky and considered one of the hardest punchers that the heavyweight division has ever seen with a ferocity since the great Jack Dempsey, was establishing a new era of heavyweight division. He got to beat the man that beat the man, who is Spinks, age 31, to make it "his era".
On January 1988, six months earlier, Tyson brutally stopped Larry Holmes, one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all-time, in only 4 rounds. The knockout was so brutal that grew concerns in the Spinks's camp and well wisher fans. It was the only time in Holmes' career that he was ever knocked out! Could Spinks beat him? Many boxing experts believed he could. But Tyson was the biggest favorite. Some didn't see that this fight was going to last past 5 rounds.
This was the biggest and most anticipated fight in American soil since Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in March 1971 at Madison Square Garden. Was it as big as Ali vs Frazier in anticipation? Ask the old timers. But, in the sense of dollars, it eclipsed every fight that Ali and Joe Louis ever had combined. There was no question about that.
Tyson for the fight would receive a record $20 million dollars for the fight. Much more than any other fighter in the history of the sport then. Spinks, was to receive $13 million, thanks for the negotiations of his skillful manager and promoter Butch Lewis.
But there were a lot problems and concerns in Tyson's camp before the fight that produced an intriguing story throughout the preparations of this fight. Is Tyson's mind ready? Are the conflicts between Don King, his promoter, and his manager Bill Cayton over the control of Tyson's career a concern? Now, throw in Tyson's wife, actress Robin Givens, who made headlines in fighting with Cayton by suing him of Tyson's career earnings and mismanagement, and you got here a three-ring circus. Tyson, a young gladiator, wants this to end. And quickly. Is he training for the biggest fight of his career? Some gossip about his training was even big concerns. Were they true? Only God knows.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
In the other hand, Michael Spinks training methods and camp were normal as usual. He was still the same ol' Spinks. Calm, cool and collected. He is already calm now that he is receiving $13 million dollars for this fight. Is there one more win on his brilliant career for glory? Well, if he beats this monster named "Iron" Mike Tyson, he could be straight single handedly become at least one of the top 15 all-time great pound per pound boxers in history without an argument. Maybe top 10 depending of the ranking expert.
A win against Tyson could be so monumentally speaking that his career would be pushed to another level. In the level of the true all-time pound per pound greats. And why not? He could even make more millions in a rematch if he beats this force of nature named Tyson. Can he do it?
But, even though he's undefeated with a record of 31-0, with 21 knockouts, some experts believe that he is not a real heavyweight. He is weighing 212lbs for this fight. Would he be effective by moving fast side to side against Tyson? Can he endure 15 hard fought rounds? What would become of him if Tyson clocked him for the first time? Would Spinks retaliate like a great champion he is? Or will he fold and say, "Forget it!, I am out!"?
Those were the questions given. Tyson was the big favorite. Can Spinks produce a giant upset like he did against Larry Holmes 3 years earlier?
As for Tyson, it's all business with him inside that ring. It's the only place that he feels happy. Throwing punches. He weighed in at solid 218lbs, full of muscle! Not a fat seen in his 5'11" frame.
Spinks had the advantage in experience, at least in championship bouts, but Tyson had more fights. Spinks also had advantages in height and reach. But, Tyson is a real heavyweight. Spinks is not. And also Tyson got the advantage in weight and youth. Spinks is 31. Tyson is 21. Three days later, on June 30th, Tyson will be 22 years old. This will be Spinks's 15th world championship bout. He is 14-0 so far. This is Tyson's 8th world championship fight and 7th title defense.
All is set on this night of Monday, June 27th, 1988. At the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Once and for All. For the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World.
There were famous celebrities in attendance. It had to be. It's a heavyweight title fight. Especially, if one of the protagonists is Iron Mike Tyson of Brooklyn, NY.
The bell rang and Spinks as always started slow and started running in circles around the ring against this force of nature named Tyson. Tyson, a fast starter, went for the kill. It's the second time that two undefeated and unbeaten champions are fighting for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship.
Tyson's record is 34-0, with 30 knockouts. Fifteen of those 30 knockout wins were in the 1st round alone. It didn't take much for knockout number 31 and number 16 in the first round. A shot to Spinks ribs and Spinks went down for the first time in his career. It was a left hook and a right hook to the ribs. Spinks got up, but instead of retrieve like he did in other fights when he was in queer streets, he went right at Iron Mike. Tyson received him with a left hook to the body and a final right to the jaw. It's all she wrote! It was 91 seconds of brutality.
The winner and still Undisputed, Undefeated and now Lineal and Ring Magazine and Real Heavyweight Champion of the World!......."Iron" Mike Tyson.
As fast as you could read this, the fight was over!
A win against Tyson could be so monumentally speaking that his career would be pushed to another level. In the level of the true all-time pound per pound greats. And why not? He could even make more millions in a rematch if he beats this force of nature named Tyson. Can he do it?
But, even though he's undefeated with a record of 31-0, with 21 knockouts, some experts believe that he is not a real heavyweight. He is weighing 212lbs for this fight. Would he be effective by moving fast side to side against Tyson? Can he endure 15 hard fought rounds? What would become of him if Tyson clocked him for the first time? Would Spinks retaliate like a great champion he is? Or will he fold and say, "Forget it!, I am out!"?
Those were the questions given. Tyson was the big favorite. Can Spinks produce a giant upset like he did against Larry Holmes 3 years earlier?
As for Tyson, it's all business with him inside that ring. It's the only place that he feels happy. Throwing punches. He weighed in at solid 218lbs, full of muscle! Not a fat seen in his 5'11" frame.
Spinks had the advantage in experience, at least in championship bouts, but Tyson had more fights. Spinks also had advantages in height and reach. But, Tyson is a real heavyweight. Spinks is not. And also Tyson got the advantage in weight and youth. Spinks is 31. Tyson is 21. Three days later, on June 30th, Tyson will be 22 years old. This will be Spinks's 15th world championship bout. He is 14-0 so far. This is Tyson's 8th world championship fight and 7th title defense.
All is set on this night of Monday, June 27th, 1988. At the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Once and for All. For the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World.
There were famous celebrities in attendance. It had to be. It's a heavyweight title fight. Especially, if one of the protagonists is Iron Mike Tyson of Brooklyn, NY.
The bell rang and Spinks as always started slow and started running in circles around the ring against this force of nature named Tyson. Tyson, a fast starter, went for the kill. It's the second time that two undefeated and unbeaten champions are fighting for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship.
Tyson's record is 34-0, with 30 knockouts. Fifteen of those 30 knockout wins were in the 1st round alone. It didn't take much for knockout number 31 and number 16 in the first round. A shot to Spinks ribs and Spinks went down for the first time in his career. It was a left hook and a right hook to the ribs. Spinks got up, but instead of retrieve like he did in other fights when he was in queer streets, he went right at Iron Mike. Tyson received him with a left hook to the body and a final right to the jaw. It's all she wrote! It was 91 seconds of brutality.
The winner and still Undisputed, Undefeated and now Lineal and Ring Magazine and Real Heavyweight Champion of the World!......."Iron" Mike Tyson.
As fast as you could read this, the fight was over!
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15646
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
After this fight, the great Michael Spinks, the former Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight and Lineal and IBF Heavyweight Champion of the World, retired. He had enough. He got enough money to enjoy his life. He is financially secured. He is set for life.
He never again fought another round. He didn't even made a noise of making a comeback. He never came back. And later, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY in 1994.
A thinking man's fighter, like Gene Tunney, Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard to name a few, he is considered as one of the greatest Light-Heavyweights and pound per pound great boxers of all-time. He only had 32 bouts. But, with only 32 fights in eleven years, he did plenty. He faced the best fighters of his era. He became champion in 2 weight classes and fought in 15 world title fights, making 10 title defenses at Light-Heavyweight. He never lost his crowns at 175lbs.
A class act. He retired with a record of 31-1, with 21 knockouts.
He never again fought another round. He didn't even made a noise of making a comeback. He never came back. And later, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY in 1994.
A thinking man's fighter, like Gene Tunney, Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard to name a few, he is considered as one of the greatest Light-Heavyweights and pound per pound great boxers of all-time. He only had 32 bouts. But, with only 32 fights in eleven years, he did plenty. He faced the best fighters of his era. He became champion in 2 weight classes and fought in 15 world title fights, making 10 title defenses at Light-Heavyweight. He never lost his crowns at 175lbs.
A class act. He retired with a record of 31-1, with 21 knockouts.