The Most Underrated Boxer of All Time

One boxer stands out to me as the most underrated boxer of all time, and that is the man who got savagely knocked out by Mike Tyson, Michael Spinks. Unfortunately for Spinks, the lasting image of his career is of his eyes rolled back in his head, struggling to lift his head off the canvas.

Any ranking of the top heavyweights always omits him, even within the top 20. Even when these list are expanded to the best fighters of all time he typically fails to make the top 40. If you were to only read message boards and social media account’s you would come away with the impression he was an over rated bum 175lb fighter who ate some twinkie’s and got lucky twice vs Larry Holmes. Let’s take a look at his career and make the case for why he’s should be higher.

The Substance

Spinks fought from 1977 to 1988 clinching world championships in two weight classes, holding the undisputed light heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985, and the lineal heavyweight title from 1985 to 1988. The pinnacle of Spinks amateur career was marked by a gold medal triumph in the middleweight division at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Spinks ascent in the professional realm commenced with an undefeated streak in his first 31 fights, conquering opponents like Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Marvin Johnson, and Eddie Davis en route to claiming the undisputed light heavyweight championship.

Move to Heavyweight

Defending his title against a variety of challengers, Spinks later transitioned to the heavyweight division, where he secured an underdog victory against the long-reigning IBF heavyweight champion, Larry Holmes. This historic win not only broke barriers but also etched Spinks name as the first reigning light heavyweight world champion to capture the heavyweight title. Holmes is one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time and Micheal Spinks bested him not once but twice in his prime, albiet the end of it. Holmes was trying to tie Rocky Marciano’s record of 49–0 as the heavyweight champion, but it was Spinks who made history that night

Spinks first fought at the start of his career at 166 pounds and fought Larry Holmes at 200lbs. What is remarkable about this is Spinks fought at 170 pounds on Febuary 23, 1985, 175lbs June 6, 1985, and 199.75 on 9-21, 1985 when he faced Larry Holmes. He was a manufactured heavyweight for sure, and jumping 25lbs in three months and to win a fight against a legend is pretty incredible. He would comeback and fight the 2nd Holmes fight at 205 on April 19, 1996.

Spinks would successfully defend his title vs Steffen Tangstad (24-1) and Gerry Cooney (28-1). Cooney was 6-6, 238lbs when they fault, essentially a super heavyweight, and himself an under rated fighter. Cooney had wins over Ken Norton and Jimmie Young, and the only losses of his career came against Spinks, Larry Holmes, and George Foreman.

Tyson

However, every journey has its final chapter, and that concluded in a bout against the formidable Mike Tyson. By this point Spinks was fighting at nearly 213 poinds and looked the part of a heavyweight having beaten multiple high quality heavyweights. However his career was over that night in a swift 91 seconds, Tyson dealt the only defeat of his professional career with a devastating knockout. Spinks would walk away from the sport after that night.

Conclusion

Spinks is widely acclaimed as one of the most remarkable champions and fighters in the light-heavyweight division’s history. He achieved a rare feat by becoming the sole undefeated light-heavyweight champion from the division’s inception in 1903 until Joe Calzaghe, and he also stands as the only reigning light-heavyweight champion to seize the heavyweight title. In 1985, Spinks accomplished an unprecedented milestone, moving up to win the world heavyweight championship by defeating IBF champion Larry Holmes in a decision.

Losing to the formidable version of Mike Tyson carries no shame, particularly when it stands as the sole blemish on an otherwise impeccable record. With two victories over Larry Holmes and an undefeated streak of 31 wins prior to that defeat, Spinks merits greater recognition than he typically receives. Joe Rogan once articulated that the early version of Mike Tyson was perhaps the most intimidating boxer in history, surpassing the likes of Ali and Foreman in terms of sheer combination and raw power. This sentiment resonates, suggesting that Tyson’s early 20s saw a level of speed, focus, and edge that he perhaps he couldn’t replicate later in his career. He needed that speed given his lack of length to be able to close the distance. As fighters age beyond 25, their speed often diminishes, making it challenging to execute the same level of combinations. Had there been no Tyson in the division I do believe Spinks would have dominated the peers in the era until Holyfield came along. It’s a bit of a shame he didn’t hang around a little longer and fight more heavyweights.