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Why was Michael Spinks known as the greatest light heavyweight ever? Was he really ?

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  • #31
    Originally posted by Munn
    SAC ... yeah Spinks gave up 50 lbs to Holmes, who was 48-0 going into that fight. Larry was trying to match Marciano's record of 49-0, but lost a UD to Spinks. As heavy Champ Spinks then made 20 consecutive title defenses during his seven year reign and, get this ..... only Joe Louis made more with 25.

    Spinks did all this as heavy Champ, but, before that, he was one of only six light heavy champs who never lost a title fight. Spinks was never hurt or knocked off his feet while at Light Heavy. It wasn't until the last fight of his career that Spinks was knocked down, and it took a Prime Tyson to do it.
    C'mon, dude!

    Based on your previous post, I thought you'd have something to add to the conversation, but this post here is utter CRAP!

    "Spinks was never hurt at Light Heavyweight"

    You might want to check out Spink's fight with Yaqui Lopez if you really believe that statement.

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    • #32
      And in no way did he give up 50 lbs to Larry Holmes! Holmes had a naturally bigger build, but in terms of height and reach they were similar and Holmes (who got kind of hefty toward the end of his career) only outweighed Spinks by 15 lbs or so.

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      • #33
        The question can be ansered in many ways, but, for now, let's use the approach of GASPED's and look at "accomplishments". Spinks did pretty good. Other guys did good too.

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        • #34
          How many of you acknowledge the whole "America and boxing didn't want Larry Holmes to beat Marciano's 49-0 streak so they gave Spinks the victory over Holmes" idea? I've personally never seen their first fight all of the way through, but I was told by people I respect that Holmes should have been awarded a close but clear decision, and that it was pretty scandalous giving the decision to Spinks.

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          • #35
            Originally posted by Yogi
            C'mon, dude!
            Based on your previous post, I thought you'd have something to add to the conversation, but this post here is utter CRAP!
            "Spinks was never hurt at Light Heavyweight"
            You might want to check out Spink's fight with Yaqui Lopez if you really believe that statement.
            Your were right, I do have something to add to the conversation. You don't have to write-off everything a guy says, just because you spot one thing you don't like.

            Thing that I really like most about Spinks was, he wasn't flashy and never ranted about his greatness. He showed big respect for the fans and the sport by always showing-up in shape and he never took an opponent lightly. He showed everybody lots of respect but was a killer in the ring. He had no mercy for a hurt opponent and fought bell-to-bell every round. Gotta' like that.

            A lot of perople say that Spink's lack of flash was a big negative, but I'd say they are not true boxing fans if they see it that way. This negative attitude might be becuase Spinks accomplishments are now overlooked by people propping RJJ for moving-up to beat Ruiz.

            Still hurts though to watch Spinks in that last fight getting beaten so soundly.

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            • #36
              Originally posted by oldgringo
              How many of you acknowledge the whole "America and boxing didn't want Larry Holmes to beat Marciano's 49-0 streak so they gave Spinks the victory over Holmes" idea? I've personally never seen their first fight all of the way through, but I was told by people I respect that Holmes should have been awarded a close but clear decision, and that it was pretty scandalous giving the decision to Spinks.
              GRINGO ..... by today's scandal standards, it can still be viewed as a close fight. I was rootin' for Larry and disliked the UD, but dont recall any big controversy. But, I thought Spinks didn't win the rematch.

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              • #37
                Originally posted by Munn
                The question can be ansered in many ways, but, for now, let's use the approach of GASPED's and look at "accomplishments". Spinks did pretty good. Other guys did good too.
                The P4P rankings at the end of 1984, which would've been right near the end of Spinks' reign as Light Heavyweight champion;

                1. Marvin Hagler
                2. Aaron Pryor
                3. Larry Holmes
                4. Eusebio Pedroza
                5. Hector Camacho
                6. Jeff Chandler
                7. Ray Leonard
                8. MICHAEL SPINKS
                9. Thomas Hearns
                10. Donald Curry

                Interesting how some 20 years later modern boxing fans think so much higher of Michael Spinks' reign at Light Heavyweight than did the boxing public from around that time, who actually followed his Light Heavyweight career as it happened...

                Hmm, I wonder whose opinions I should trust on the subject?

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                • #38
                  Originally posted by Munn
                  Your were right, I do have something to add to the conversation. You don't have to write-off everything a guy says, just because you spot one thing you don't like.
                  One thing?

                  Uh, dude...The one statement of yours that I quoted was actually the only thing worth discussiong in that whole post of yours.

                  The rest of that post of yours, which included your comments about Holmes having 50 lbs on Spinks and how Spinks went on to make 20 title defenses...Yeah, that stuff was crap!

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                  • #39
                    Originally posted by Yogi
                    The P4P rankings at the end of 1984, which would've been right near the end of Spinks' reign as Light Heavyweight champion;

                    1. Marvin Hagler
                    2. Aaron Pryor
                    3. Larry Holmes
                    4. Eusebio Pedroza
                    5. Hector Camacho
                    6. Jeff Chandler
                    7. Ray Leonard
                    8. MICHAEL SPINKS
                    9. Thomas Hearns
                    10. Donald Curry

                    Interesting how some 20 years later modern boxing fans think so much higher of Michael Spinks' reign at Light Heavyweight than did the boxing public from around that time, who actually followed his Light Heavyweight career as it happened...
                    Hmm, I wonder whose opinions I should trust on the subject?
                    You know, and we all know, the P4P list is a flexible tool that deserves it's "mythical" status.

                    Michael Spinks is not a myth, he actually did accomplish something. My point is, you don't hear his name much, but the "Spinks Jinx" was a life taker that many guys recall too well.

                    By the way, that list is awesome. Good to see Curry in there somewhere. Musta' been for his destruction of LeRocca? Where do you grab those things?

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                    • #40
                      Originally posted by Yogi
                      One thing?

                      Uh, dude...The one statement of yours that I quoted was actually the only thing worth discussiong in that whole post of yours.

                      The rest of that post of yours, which included your comments about Holmes having 50 lbs on Spinks and how Spinks went on to make 20 title defenses...Yeah, that stuff was crap!
                      OK let's agree on one thing. You picked-up on the 20 defenses thing only after seeing the other guys lock-on.

                      Regarding the 50 lbs, that's what I recall hearing/knowing. If I could verify it I would, but it doesn't mean that the smaller good guy doesn't deserve some credit for beating the bigger good guy, right? Point is, Larry stayed comfortably where he wanted to be, maybe coming down a bit in weight, where Spinks was definitely coming up.

                      You got me on the defenses. I shoulda' said something like "20 consecutive defense of his championship status", or the like. In either case, he reigned as Light and Heavy Champ continuously until Tyson. The Marciano comparison was a stretch then, I suppose, but then again, you don't really care much about belts, right?

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