BoxRec

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 12:39

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 12:19

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 05:16

Michael Spinks. Olympic Gold Medalist, Lineal Heavyweight Champion. Back to Back wins over Larry Holmes, one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of the game. Before Spinks fought Tyson, The Ring did an article asking lots of industry insiders who was going to win the fight and quite a few of them favoured Spinks. I don't recall anyone thinking Tucker was going to win.

Spinks had 5 fights at heavyweight and his only win of note was over a faded Holmes who most felt won the rematch.
His heavyweight credentials are distinctly underwhelming, sort of like his brother Leon who beat a faded Ali and didn't do much else although he still did more than Michael.

It's perfectly reasonable to think Tucker is a better heavyweight than Spinks.

Errr, no it's not.

So is Leon better than Tucker? He's a lineal champ with a win over Ali

I might also put Thomas over Spinks, overall had a better heavyweight career

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 12:52

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 12:39

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 12:19

Spinks had 5 fights at heavyweight and his only win of note was over a faded Holmes who most felt won the rematch.
His heavyweight credentials are distinctly underwhelming, sort of like his brother Leon who beat a faded Ali and didn't do much else although he still did more than Michael.

It's perfectly reasonable to think Tucker is a better heavyweight than Spinks.

Errr, no it's not.

So is Leon better than Tucker? He's a lineal champ with a win over Ali

I might also put Thomas over Spinks, overall had a better heavyweight career

You're deflecting. Michael Spinks beat the #1 in the world. Then he beat him in a rematch. Tucker never beat the #1.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 13:29

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 12:52

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 12:39
Errr, no it's not.

So is Leon better than Tucker? He's a lineal champ with a win over Ali

I might also put Thomas over Spinks, overall had a better heavyweight career

You're deflecting. Michael Spinks beat the #1 in the world. Then he beat him in a rematch. Tucker never beat the #1.

Its not enough to compensate for only having 5 fights at heavyweight and not beating anyone impressive outside Holmes.

Wasn't Ali number one when he lost to Leon?

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 14:40

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 13:29

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 12:52

So is Leon better than Tucker? He's a lineal champ with a win over Ali

I might also put Thomas over Spinks, overall had a better heavyweight career

You're deflecting. Michael Spinks beat the #1 in the world. Then he beat him in a rematch. Tucker never beat the #1.

Its not enough to compensate for only having 5 fights at heavyweight and not beating anyone impressive outside Holmes.

Genuine question. How old are you Cojimar?

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 15:25

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 14:40

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 13:29

You're deflecting. Michael Spinks beat the #1 in the world. Then he beat him in a rematch. Tucker never beat the #1.

Its not enough to compensate for only having 5 fights at heavyweight and not beating anyone impressive outside Holmes.

Genuine question. How old are you Cojimar?

Old enough to know that getting blown out in 90 seconds by your best opponent, beating one ranked opponent and having 5 fights doesn't make you a great fighter in that weight class.

Its not complicated at all

Most people don't consider Spinks a great heavyweight

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 15:35

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 15:25

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 14:40

Its not enough to compensate for only having 5 fights at heavyweight and not beating anyone impressive outside Holmes.

Genuine question. How old are you Cojimar?

Old enough to know that getting blown out in 90 seconds by your best opponent, beating one ranked opponent and having 5 fights doesn't make you a great fighter in that weight class.

Its not complicated at all

Most people don't consider Spinks a great heavyweight

I never said he was, but he beat a great fighter in that weight class..... twice.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 17:45

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 15:35

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 15:25

Genuine question. How old are you Cojimar?

Old enough to know that getting blown out in 90 seconds by your best opponent, beating one ranked opponent and having 5 fights doesn't make you a great fighter in that weight class.

Its not complicated at all

Most people don't consider Spinks a great heavyweight

I never said he was, but he beat a great fighter in that weight class..... twice.

Spinks only ever had 5 Heavyweight fights, but they were all for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. So that's kinda unique.

Whether or not Spinks is an ATG Heavyweight, he's undoubtedly an all time great boxer, and accomplished a lot.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 20:00

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 17:45

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 15:35

Old enough to know that getting blown out in 90 seconds by your best opponent, beating one ranked opponent and having 5 fights doesn't make you a great fighter in that weight class.

Its not complicated at all

Most people don't consider Spinks a great heavyweight

I never said he was, but he beat a great fighter in that weight class..... twice.

Spinks only ever had 5 Heavyweight fights, but they were all for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. So that's kinda unique.

Whether or not Spinks is an ATG Heavyweight, he's undoubtedly an all time great boxer, and accomplished a lot.

When Tyson fought Spinks, they were the 1 & 2 in the division. Spinks was the man who beat the man, Tyson had the belts.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑24 Jun 2026, 08:39

gilgamesh wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 20:00

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 17:45

I never said he was, but he beat a great fighter in that weight class..... twice.

Spinks only ever had 5 Heavyweight fights, but they were all for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. So that's kinda unique.

Whether or not Spinks is an ATG Heavyweight, he's undoubtedly an all time great boxer, and accomplished a lot.

When Tyson fought Spinks, they were the 1 & 2 in the division. Spinks was the man who beat the man, Tyson had the belts.

I know it. It's a great win in my book.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 20:00

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 17:45

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 15:35

Old enough to know that getting blown out in 90 seconds by your best opponent, beating one ranked opponent and having 5 fights doesn't make you a great fighter in that weight class.

Its not complicated at all

Most people don't consider Spinks a great heavyweight

I never said he was, but he beat a great fighter in that weight class..... twice.

Spinks only ever had 5 Heavyweight fights, but they were all for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. So that's kinda unique.

Whether or not Spinks is an ATG Heavyweight, he's undoubtedly an all time great boxer, and accomplished a lot.

Sure but my reason for not ranking him highly is that old Holmes was his only quality win at the weight.

It's the same reason I don't rate Leon Spinks highly despite the win over Ali.

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 14:35

gilgamesh wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 20:00

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 17:45

I never said he was, but he beat a great fighter in that weight class..... twice.

Spinks only ever had 5 Heavyweight fights, but they were all for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. So that's kinda unique.

Whether or not Spinks is an ATG Heavyweight, he's undoubtedly an all time great boxer, and accomplished a lot.

Sure but my reason for not ranking him highly is that old Holmes was his only quality win at the weight.

It's the same reason I don't rate Leon Spinks highly despite the win over Ali.

Leon and Michael aren't particularly comparable as talents though.

Leon after pulling off his miracle win over Ali just kinda became an unreliable idiot who was constantly getting into legal trouble, or half assing his training or half assing his training while in legal trouble, or losing fights.

Michael wasn't like that. Michael was a very disciplined and intelligent Champion who got the most out of his talents for many, many years. Michael was able to win the rematch over the old Heavyweight Master while his Brother couldn't. He was able to keep defending the title a few times while his Brother never could manage it.

Don't get me wrong, Michael probably can't be considered an ATG as a Heavyweight. On that I agree, but don't compare him to Leon for f*cks sake. He's way, way, way, way better than that.

Leon is near the bottom of the all time Heavyweight Champions list.

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 14:35

gilgamesh wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 20:00

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 17:45

I never said he was, but he beat a great fighter in that weight class..... twice.

Spinks only ever had 5 Heavyweight fights, but they were all for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. So that's kinda unique.

Whether or not Spinks is an ATG Heavyweight, he's undoubtedly an all time great boxer, and accomplished a lot.

Sure but my reason for not ranking him highly is that old Holmes was his only quality win at the weight.

It's the same reason I don't rate Leon Spinks highly despite the win over Ali.

So you think an unbeaten Larry Holmes who fought Mike Spinks, had as many miles on the clock as the Ali who fought his brother??

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 14:49

Cojimar 1946 wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 14:35

gilgamesh wrote: ↑23 Jun 2026, 20:00

Spinks only ever had 5 Heavyweight fights, but they were all for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. So that's kinda unique.

Whether or not Spinks is an ATG Heavyweight, he's undoubtedly an all time great boxer, and accomplished a lot.

Sure but my reason for not ranking him highly is that old Holmes was his only quality win at the weight.

It's the same reason I don't rate Leon Spinks highly despite the win over Ali.

So you think an unbeaten Larry Holmes who fought Mike Spinks, had as many miles on the clock as the Ali who fought his brother??

For context

Ali went 1-2 in his 3 remaining bouts after losing to Leon Spinks
Holmes went 21-4 in his 25 remaining bouts after losing to Michael Spinks.

Holmes still had significantly more Boxing career left than Michael did in fact