Michael Spinks: "I wasn't intimidated [against Tyson]"

[Combat Talk Radio]

Michael Spinks is, of course, most notable for not only ending Larry Holmes' win streak at a time he was red hot and seemingly unstoppable, but also despite Spinks normally campaigning at light heavyweight, beat Holmes twice in a row after a period where Holmes had single-handedly retired the entire old guard of the heavyweight division. Spinks would retire after getting completely starched by Tyson two years later while still in his prime, and remove himself from the public eye for a long time. He later gave an interview in some magazine that said he was embarrassed over the loss to Tyson.

Rare to see Spinks in the public eye and it's good to see him out and about. The interviewer is a pro wrestler trying to expand his interviews out to other outlets, so forgive him for not knowing much.

Highlights:

• Says Tyson didn't intimidate him. He just knew that if Tyson caught him, he'd go down...and he did.
• Says that Tyson was the hardest hitter he ever faced.
• Says his favorite fighter is his brother, Leon Spinks, who notoriously upset Muhammad Ali in the 70's near the end of Ali's career (Ali would beat Spinks handily in the rematch, and Spinks would never enjoy a win against another big name).

[buddyr]

sheeeeeeeit. Spinks was terrified in that fight. He basically went to the ring, got caught twice, didnt get up the 2nd time and collected his check. That fight basically ruined mike tyson because after that he had a couple of fights against Bruno and Williams who were also scared(and rocked by Bruno) and then thought Douglass was gonna lay down too

[Combat Talk Radio]

sheeeeeeeit. Spinks was terrified in that fight. He basically went to the ring, got caught twice, didnt get up the 2nd time and collected his check. That fight basically ruined mike tyson because after that he had a couple of fights against Bruno and Williams who were also scared(and rocked by Bruno) and then thought Douglass was gonna lay down too

I wouldn't say "terrified" but he was overly cautious rightfully so. That night Tyson was almost certainly coked up, so I don't know that any of Spinks' offense would have made any difference.