BoxRec

I have read that as the legendary Spinks brothers rose through the amateur ranks, boxing trainers repeatdly and overwhelmingly considered Leon to be more talented than his brother Michael. However, there are two points of contention that I feel are obvious.

1. No one can deny that Michael Spinks had the more successful career as a professional. I personally believe that he was one of the greatest Light-Heavyweights ever.

2. Leon Spinks had a form that I have never been able to understand. No one can argue with an Olympic Gold medal and professional World Championship. However, in regards to form, he looked like a kitten playing with a ball of yarn at times. I've seen guys with better looking technique in local gyms. How could trainers miss that?

Is this a case of early results misleading even experts or is there more to the story.

As professionals Michael was better in every department. Both had awkward and somewhat unconventional styles, but unlike Leon, Michael had power and a good defence. Leon Spinks never impressed med much as a professional. He took so many punches against even mediocre opponents. Many said he was too small for the heavyweight division, but when he dropped to cruiser he took even more punishment. He was extremely lucky to catch Ali when he did.

Leon was a gatekeeper in the pros. Michael was a top fighter, Michael is an ATG. That happens, some can blow the pro-career after impressive amateur one, like Tyrell Biggs, Audley Harrison or David Price.