Controversial, but id go with tyson with both. I think foster absolutely lack of succes at hw has to count a bit against him
Foster has an argument for gratist LHW champion of all-time, he wins (unless we're talking about a straight up fight where Tyson would Spinks him)
No, Foster doesn't really have that case. Not in greatness. Charles is the consensus greatest light heavyweight. Followed by Moore and Spinks. I would put Roy at 4... if we're talking greatness. The case Foster has in H2H. Prime Foster would have a chance against all of them. But he damn sure is not greater than Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, and Michael Spinks, and Roy Jones. I think he knocks out Roy and Moore. Probably loses to Charles and Spinks.
I've changed my opinion on Foster vs Spinks. Youre allowed to change thoughts on MMs . I used to say Foster. But I think I might have been overrating Bob. I think Spinks stops Foster.
I've always found Foster-Spinks kinda hard to visualise for some reason, I think I would slightly lean towards Spinks though. To answer the question, I think Tyson was better, greater is much closer but I think I would edge it towards Mike.
Foster would be very dangerous for Spinks because he was taller than Spinks, had a longer reach than Spinks, and faster hands than Spinks. And of course, we know about the power. I just pick Spinks on intangibles. Spinks had a better chin than Foster, and had more dog in him. He would have to get inside on Foster, but once inside, Spinks was a MUCH MUCH better infighter. Bob couldn't fight on the inside. Spinks was a highly underrated infighter.
Yeah that's pretty much how I see it too, Spinks had the skill to get inside that crazy reach and work inside. That danger is always there when you try to step inside Foster's punching range, especially with that sneaky but devastating left hook, but I think Spinks had enough about him to get the job done.
I remember going back probably like 21 years now, ESPN had Foster on the set of Friday Night Fights, and Brian Kenny specifically asked him about fighting Spinks. I don't remember Bob's exact reply, but he said something to the effect of he didn't think any light heavyweight, including Spinks, could have beaten him in his prime.
Haha, doesn't surprise me, from watching and reading interviews with Foster he seemed one of those arrogant (but not in a mean-spirited way) guys who knew how good he was. I don't really blame him for thinking that as he for the most part had an easy time of it at light-heavy, and was as dominant as it gets, goes without saying though that he didn't face anyone as good as Spinks. In the Ring interview I read, he said Kovalev would have given him problems which I found surprising.
He must have gotten humble near the end of his life to say that. I think Foster would have destroyed Kovalev.
Agreed, it wouldn't have been pretty. To be fair to Bob it was when Kovalev was at his peak and annihilating everyone, so nobody knew quite how good or bad he was going to be.
Foster was a good infighter in the same way Hearns was. Good, powerful, but with a frame like his, he just didn't belong there. As for Foster-Spinks, Spinks should be favoured due to his chin IMO. That's the only major reason. It's not a case of who lands, it's a case of who gets up, and Spinks is far more likely to do that IMO. Or at least, not go down. All the other theorising and analysis is well and good, but at some point they're gonna taste the other's power, and I think Spinks' is better suited here. Both would absolutely ruin Kovalev though
As for Tyson/Foster, I like Foster for better but Tyson was greater. It's a close comparison either way IMO, and there's a definite case for either in both areas IMO. Foster had far better longevity and was every bit as dominant as Mike, but Mike had better opposition. Tyson's chin and comparative speed could lead you to pick him there. Foster's style was better suited to dealing with more threats in his division, which is why I chose him.
Foster would ruin Kovalev quickly. Inside of 4. Kov would have success against Spinks early because well, everybody had success against Spinks early. Mike spent the early rounds analyzing guys. But once Spinks is done analyzing, and really opens up, it would get ugly for Kov.
The way I read it, he was joking implying he would give him trouble right now, not in his prime years
