Michael Spinks: An Appreciation

[ProBox1]

He is one of the least appreciated all-time great fighters in fistic history, at any weight. This all time great champion's career accomplishments measure up favorably to any other fighter who ever held the same title. In fact Michael Spinks never lost once in the division he ruled as undisputed champion, and this was during a time when the division may have never been more loaded with top fighter's in it's history. [details]

[marvdave]

Great article..I agree 100%

Mike Spinks was a tremendous champ...even if he did get the gift decision against Davis and Holmes II

[tracylee]

Great article! Being a 'late bloomer' as a fan of the sport, I just missed him at his best and have to rely on ESPN Classic channel to see his fight's. Even before I became a fan of boxing I KNEW who he was; and I think that say's alot about his accomplishments and the name he made for himself

[Sir_Jose]

Its a shame people only remember him for his fight with Tyson. Spinks is regarded by most as one of the 3 greatest Light Heavyweights of all time with Charles and Moore.

So what he got blown out by a prime Tyson I dare you to name me one light heavyweight in the history of this sport that could hang with Tyson that night.

[psychopath]

yup the guy is another unsung hero. Very informative article.

[partee]

I remember seeing him take on Gerry Cooney. I think he was surprised as anyone when Big Gerry started to go down.
It's too bad he was psyched out by Tyson, a few years later Mike wouldn't have had such an easy time with him.
I'm wondering: what is Michael Spinks doing today? Is he financially set?

[.::|ULTIMATE|::.]

Its a shame people only remember him for his fight with Tyson. Spinks is regarded by most as one of the 3 greatest Light Heavyweights of all time with Charles and Moore.

So what he got blown out by a prime Tyson I dare you to name me one light heavyweight in the history of this sport that could hang with Tyson that night.

Thats the sad truth for many greats, they are remembered as the fighters in their last performances of their careers and not the ones they were in their prime.

[wmute]

yeah the Jinx has been a great champion in a GREAT division, dismisssing hi mbcos he lost to a prime tyson is for the know-nothings.

he would have probably bested roy jones, I mean a prime Jones (but I also mean probably not 100%).

I cannot envision the fight in terms of round by round action, though.

how about a fight with bob foster?

also, to be fair, the author is forgetting, while pontificating about different measures for spinks and jones, that spinks was a natural 175 and jones was a natural 168 and that spinks lost and retired when 32, jones lost (and hopefully retires) when 35 and had a style (or a non-style?) which was bound not to last long.