Michael Spinks vs. Bob Foster at LHW

[GhostofDempsey]

I would go with Spinks by decision. He was able to take punches from bigger fighters, Foster could not.

[Slugfester]

- - U a confessed ol' timer is it?

No one knows exactly. The mortician will have to count my rings.

[The Defecator]

This poll is obviously filled with people who never saw Foster fight, but casting a vote anyway. Old timer bias is always evident in these polls.

You realize that Foster and Spinks are only around ten years or so apart? That’s almost the same era so how is “old timers’ bias” a factor here? I’m old enough to have seen Foster on TV, btw. If anything there’s WAY too much recency bias on the internet.

*Foster’s last professional fight was in 1975, Spinks’ first professional fight was in 1977.

[Dynamite76]

Spinks had a good chin and that awkward style. And even though I think Bob could possibly hurt MIchael, I think Michael will be one of the few who will still be standing when Bob tags him, and if Bob got to close, MIchael could remind him that he is dealing with a strong puncher if he got too close. Spinks in a 9-6 or 8-7 type of fight.

[Slugfester]

Foster had a stylistic flaw in bending forward so much. He didn't use his height and reach advantages well most of the time.

[Marchegiano]

Spinks = GOAT LHW

[Slugfester]

Spinks = GOAT LHW

Almost. That is my tendency too. With asterisks though. Since I am not sure he could even touch Loughran or Slapsie. Tunney was American light heavyweight champion, which is good enough for me. Tunney almost certainly and Langford quite probably would beat any light heavyweight world champion that has come along, in my humble opinion of course. Harry Greb fought as a light heavy too and was LH world champion. Spinks would have to fight these guys on their turf, not a pussy pounder with pillows strapped on. And an old time referee. Spinks still might come off best. Spinks also had fantastic competition. Then again, so so did Greb, Langford and Tunney. Who really knows who they would rate #1 if we had equal viewing access to old timer's careers? Of course there is no doubt I am working with limited information too in assigning men I have never or have hardly ever seen fight to AT positions. Still we do it. I imagine Greb would be somewhere in the top ten of your list too.

[mrbig1]

How did I miss this one. They both fought in my era. Foster had one punch KO power. See Tiger and Mike Quarry. Spinks in my mind was a better overall fighter. I would go with Spinks over 15 round UD. I would agree with most of the guys here. A close hard-fought battle.

[Slugfester]

Foster does know how to fight tall, but he seems to only do it once he gets tired and wants breathers. It is like a poker tell. I think bending forward into range will only get him KOd by Spinks who throws a lot more punches. It looks like a bad styles matchup for Bob. It would be interesting to see if he came in with a more diverse game plan. As far as I know, he fought everyone pretty much the same.

[The Defecator]

Spinks = GOAT LHW

Naw, Ezzard Charles.