mr. magoo
06-13-2008, 08:27 PM
HERE'S THE SCENARIO,
Michael Spinks has just gotten through two fights with Larry Holmes. It is now mid 1986, and he decides that after a near defeat in his rematch with Larry, that maybe he should either call it quits, or perhaps try going after other fish in the lighter ranks. He decides to drop down in weight, but discovers that getting back to 175 Lbs is a bit tough at this stage, so he settles for tackling the cruiserweight ranks, around 185-190 Lbs. He is at this point, 29-30 years of age, and has a record of about 29-0-0-19.
Meanwhile, Evander Holyfield has made quite a prescence at cruiserwieight. He is about 24 years old, and in July of 1986 defeated Dwight Qawi over 15 rounds to win the WBA title. As a first defense, he decides to go after a legacy fight with the great Spinks, with the intention of collecting a huge payday, as well as creating a nice gateway to the heavyweight ranks...
MY ANALYSIS,
Although we never saw Michael Spinks fight between 180-190, this may very well have been an ideal weight class for him, given that he convincingly dominated a very competitive lightheavyweight division, and faired decently at heavyweight. For all we know, the cruiserweight class might have proven to be a haven for Spinks.
Evander Holyfield, is to this day, the most dominant cruiserweight the division has ever seen in my mind. But in 1986, he was a 12 fight novice. Even upon beating the great Dwight Qawi over 15 rounds, he was still an obvious work in progress. Holy was perhaps a more athletic and mentally tougher fighter than Spinks was, but these qualities would not become evident until years later, and in a different weight class.
MY CONCLUSION,
A well seasoned Michael Spinks, with an awkward style, and experience at beating the very best, both above and below cruiserweight, would have convincingly decisioned a young Holyfield. A few years later, Evander would have destroyed any version of Spinks, right around the time he dethroned Douglas, but a green Holy fighting at what was possibly a great weight for the jinx, and in the year of 1986, would have been disasterous.
What do you think.??
Michael Spinks has just gotten through two fights with Larry Holmes. It is now mid 1986, and he decides that after a near defeat in his rematch with Larry, that maybe he should either call it quits, or perhaps try going after other fish in the lighter ranks. He decides to drop down in weight, but discovers that getting back to 175 Lbs is a bit tough at this stage, so he settles for tackling the cruiserweight ranks, around 185-190 Lbs. He is at this point, 29-30 years of age, and has a record of about 29-0-0-19.
Meanwhile, Evander Holyfield has made quite a prescence at cruiserwieight. He is about 24 years old, and in July of 1986 defeated Dwight Qawi over 15 rounds to win the WBA title. As a first defense, he decides to go after a legacy fight with the great Spinks, with the intention of collecting a huge payday, as well as creating a nice gateway to the heavyweight ranks...
MY ANALYSIS,
Although we never saw Michael Spinks fight between 180-190, this may very well have been an ideal weight class for him, given that he convincingly dominated a very competitive lightheavyweight division, and faired decently at heavyweight. For all we know, the cruiserweight class might have proven to be a haven for Spinks.
Evander Holyfield, is to this day, the most dominant cruiserweight the division has ever seen in my mind. But in 1986, he was a 12 fight novice. Even upon beating the great Dwight Qawi over 15 rounds, he was still an obvious work in progress. Holy was perhaps a more athletic and mentally tougher fighter than Spinks was, but these qualities would not become evident until years later, and in a different weight class.
MY CONCLUSION,
A well seasoned Michael Spinks, with an awkward style, and experience at beating the very best, both above and below cruiserweight, would have convincingly decisioned a young Holyfield. A few years later, Evander would have destroyed any version of Spinks, right around the time he dethroned Douglas, but a green Holy fighting at what was possibly a great weight for the jinx, and in the year of 1986, would have been disasterous.
What do you think.??