Michael Spinks, the former two-weight world champion, has picked Mike Tyson as the better fighter between Larry Holmes and Tyson. Spinks shared his opinion in a recent interview with The Ring Magazine, basing his judgment on his personal experience of facing both fighters in the ring.
Spinks had an impressive career that spanned 11 years from 1977 to 1988. He racked up 31 wins in 32 professional bouts, with his only loss coming in his final fight. During his time in the ring, Spinks captured the IBF heavyweight title and held the undisputed light heavyweight championship.
In September 1985, Spinks faced Larry Holmes for the IBF heavyweight title. He won the fight by decision, capturing the championship. Seven months later, they met again in a closer affair, with Spinks retaining his title by decision.
Spinks' career came to an end in June 1988 when he faced Mike Tyson in a bid for the undisputed heavyweight championship. The fight ended quickly, with Tyson knocking out Spinks in the first round.
When asked about the two heavyweight legends he faced, Spinks said:
"Tyson had to be the best because he beat Larry Holmes and me."
Tyson was indeed a formidable heavyweight boxer. He became the youngest world heavyweight champion in 1986 when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round to capture the WBC heavyweight title. Tyson's infamous and explosive 'peek-a-boo' style made him a force to be reckoned with in his prime.
When Tyson faced Spinks, he held the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles. Despite controversies inside and outside the ring in the later stages of his career, Tyson's legacy remains strong. Many still recognize him as one of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history.
Spinks' endorsement of Tyson over Holmes adds another interesting perspective to the ongoing debates about boxing's greatest heavyweights.
