Could be a terrible fight... I always thought a disciplined jab and fighting tall would work best to offset Roy's crazy speed and unorthodox style and Spinks certainly qualifies ... I'd pick him by decision but Roy would certainly have his moments
As a Roy groupie this might surprise you, but I like Spinks by KO. Roy would build an early lead, as Spinks was one of the slowest starters in history, but Spinks would come on and eventually flatten Roy late with the jinx.
REALISTICALLY, You'd Probably Have to Favor Spinks 6-7 Times Out of 10, But Not a Single One of Those Wins Would Be EASY for Him... As GREAT As Spinks Was, He was Knock Kneed and Had Somewhat Slow, DELIBERATE Footwork...It's Not That his Balance Failed Him, it's Just That he WASN'T a Particularly QUICK Mover, Per Se... Roy's Ring IQ Is Often Lost in His Athleticism, But he was Very Much a THINKING MAN's Fighter; It Just Sooooooo Happened He was Also the Most Athletically GIFTED Fighter that Ever Lived... Roy Would Obviously Fight from the Perimeter, Turning Spinks Constantly...Hoping to Catch Him Before He Could Fully Re-Set his Feet, and/or Countering Over Spinks Jab...Spinks was a Slow Starter and When You Factor In Roy's Superior Handspeed/Mobility, There Could Be a 3-4 Round Lead by the Time Spinks Got Acclimated... Over 12, REED Would Actually Favor Roy More Times than Not, but Over 15, he Thinks Spinks Wins 6-7 Out of 10... REED
You say it so casually - as if this were Callum Smith we were talking about, instead of Michael Spinks. I don't think Roy wins. Spinks is probably THE worst opponent for Roy at light heavyweight - Roy matches up well w/everyone else.
I think Bob knocks out Roy too, TBH. Maybe Ezzard Charles as well, but it's not like there's a litany of footage of peak Charles at 175 to make a definitive call. I'd pick Roy over any other light heavyweight except for Spinks and Foster. I'd favor Roy over Archie Moore, though I'm sure that prediction would drive a lot of older timers crazy. All things considered - Spinks, Foster, and Roy are essentially the "Big 3" at 175 in terms of H2H.
I think Spinks is worse for Roy than Foster for two reasons 1. Spinks had a dependable chin, and would be harder for Roy to hurt than Foster. 2. Spinks had a knack for figuring guys out, and making adjustments. Therefore, there's a chance of Roy neutralizing Foster, but I think Spinks figures Roy out. It takes a truly special fighter to figure out a prime Roy, but Spinks was truly special.
I don't see Spinks KOing him, I think he'd be respectful of Roy's power and the speed that makes it dangerous... Spinks could be exceptionally negative when he thought an opponent was dangerous Foster is far more likely to turn that particular trick
