I'm sure this matchup has been done before, but I'm doing it again anyway. Roy Jones Jr circa 2000 vs the '82-83 Michael Spinks. Who wins?
As a Jones groupie, I truly hate you for making this matchup. Spinks beats Roy. Although, a prime Jones isn't an easy matchup for ANY lightheavy in history. But Spinks was very good at making adjustments, and had a very versatile skill set to go along with his devastating power. It'd be a competitive fight for a while, and whilst Roy didn't have a bad chin in his prime, I somewhat question if it could handle the power of a Foster, or in this case, The Jinx. Spinks by late KO. The cards at the time of the stoppage would be close, with Roy possibly ahead.
Spinks... obviously, Roy has his moments but I like Spinks's jab and Roy would have to respect his power
Sadly (for REED), Michael Spinks has MANY of the Same Elements Antonio Tarver Had, to BEAT Roy Jones... HEIGHT, LENGTH, COUNTERPUNCHING Ability & TRUE 1-Punch POWER...Only Spinks is TALLER than Tarver, RANGIER, a BETTER Counterpuncher & a HARDER Hitter...Roy Would have to Fight Near PERFECT to Beat Spinks...Roy's Chin WASN'T as Bad as Tarver (& Glen Johnson & Those 2 White Guys) Made it Look, but NO Lightheavy would Last Looooooooooong, Absorbing Shots from Spinks... It PAINS REED To Say This, but Spinks Probably Beats him 7 Out of 10, 3 or 4 of those 10 by KO... REEDff:
spinks was great, but i have a hard time seeing him or anyone else beating the version of jones that beat the crap outta richard hall.
The problem for jones is that he can't deal with great jabs, so I think he would be extremely reluctant and try to catch spinks with the odd lead power punch. In the ends, either is too passive and lose a UD, or he gets leveld jumping in by a right hand.
Spinks is who I have as well, but I agree with joony.. the Jones Jr that beat Hall (~2000) is easily one of the best LHWs of all time. Spinks never dealt with that kind of speed, but I think he'd time him and catch him around the 4th or 5th, resulting in either a KO loss for Jones or Jones becoming excessively cautious & dropping a UD. Agreed with Xplosive that he might be ahead on the cards before those shots happened.
Spinks is quite possibly the best lightheavy of all time. And I say that with ALL due respect to Charles, Moore, and Foster. But I honestly dunno if I'd favor any of them over Spinks at 175. But it's all debatable. But there's no doubt; Spinks, Charles, Moore, Foster, and Roy are the 5 best LHW's of all time.
