Mike Tyson got the nod as the better fighter from Michael Spinks, who faced both Tyson and Larry Holmes in the ring. Spinks shared his thoughts in a recent chat with The Ring Magazine.
Spinks knows a thing or two about boxing. He grabbed Olympic gold in Montreal back in 1976 and kicked off his pro career the following year. From 1983 to 1985, he ruled as the undisputed light heavyweight champ before stepping up to heavyweight.
In 1985, Spinks made history. He became the first man to beat Larry Holmes and snagged the IBF heavyweight title. He did it again in their rematch a year later.
But Spinks' unbeaten run came to a screeching halt in the summer of 1988. In his 32nd and final fight, he faced off against 'Iron' Mike Tyson. Tyson blasted Spinks out in the opening round of their bout in Atlantic City, denying Spinks the chance to become the undisputed heavyweight champ.
Tyson had already made his mark as the youngest heavyweight champ ever. He grabbed the WBC heavyweight title from Trevor Berbick with a second-round stoppage in 1986. By the mid-1980s, folks saw Tyson as one of the most feared fighters ever to step in the ring.
When asked about Tyson and Holmes, Spinks didn't mince words:
"Tyson had to be the best because he beat Larry Holmes and me."
Spinks' career wrapped up with an impressive 31 wins and just that one loss to Tyson. His verdict? Tyson's victories over both Holmes and himself put 'Iron' Mike at the top of the heap.
