Leon Spinks vs Floyd Patterson, 15 rounds, who wins?

Question

Leon Spinks vs Floyd Patterson, 15 rounds, who wins?

Answer 1

Take Patterson to win by decision.

Answer 2

Tough call because Spinks in 1977 was knocking out people faster than George Foreman and he unleashed a tremendous beating on Ali.  He had tremendous speed.  Patterson was even faster and a better technical boxer.  I might go with Patterson despite the fact that he might have had a glass jaw.

Answer 3

I can't say Patterson wins this one as easily as some might think.  Patterson was very overrated.  What did he really do as champion?  He KO'd Johansson with a single left hook but, as powerful as Ingo's "Hammer of Thor" was,  his chin was "Glass of Joe".  

Leon did even less as champion but he fought among much tougher competition.  People tend to think Leon can't fight because he often made a jackass of himself OUT of the ring.  He and Patterson had the same problem.  They were both too big for Lt. Hvy. and too small for Hvy.  The difference is that Leon fought with bigger and stronger men.  

Patterson MIGHT have a slight edge in one shot power.  That one KO over Johansson doesn't prove much because Floyd rarely scored KOs in that manner.  Patterson SHOULD win because he always took boxing seriously.   Whenever he got an @$$whipping it was because he JUST WASNT GOOD ENOUGH.  Spinks usually took a whipping because he WASNT SERIOUS ENOUGH.  

IF you look at accomplishments than Patterson should beat Max Bare and Riddick Bowe.  You have a better chance of seeing Flying Pink Elephants.  The other thing to consider is that Leon was never knocked out in the ways Patterson was KO'd plenty of times.  Leon CLEARLY had the better chin.  

Leon was a wild man when he was in shape.  He was a solid 200lbs.  to Patterson's 189.  Not much of a difference but Patterson certainly isn't the one with the edge in strength here.  Leon doesn't punch very hard but Patterson probably has THE WORST chin of all Hvy. champions.  I dont think Leon would KO Floyd but he would certainly hurt him.  

Patterson looked like a world beater when his opponent was slow enough to allow him to set his punches up.  Leon also has AT LEAST a Slight edge in stamina.  He came at Ali for 15 rounds without pause, both times.  Patterson never went at anyone like that.   It wasn't his style but he couldn't even if he tried.  Ali "pot shot" him to death.  The way to off set Ali would have been to crowd him.  Patterson JUST WASNT STRONG ENOUGH.  Leon fought an older Ali but he still won because he kept it up for 15 rounds.  

Like I said,  Patterson Should win.  But it's not a stretch to see Leon gut it out.  It's VERY Likely that he could hurt Floyd during the fight and keep him on the defensive.  I don't think Floyd can KO Leon.  Leon, on the other hand, is wild enough to keep Floyd off balance.  

Patterson by decision if he goes the distance.  If anyone scores a KO it would be Leon late.

Answer 4

patterson would of killed spinks

Answer 5

patterson is faster, a harder puncher and is an all round better boxer who kayo's leon in 5 one sided rounds.

Answer 6

The only possible disadvantage Patterson may have in this fight would be the ability to take a punch.  Floyd was faster with his hands, had more power particularly with his left hook and a much more skilled fighter than Leon.  Don't get me wrong here as Leon was tough and did beat a lackadaisial Ali who took Leon lightly without a doubt in my mind.  I believe that Patterson would survive an early knockdown, get back on his feet and thoroughly outbox and wear Leon down before knocking him out in the 10th round.

Answer 7

I'd put my money on Patterson. While a bit undersized for a heavyweight he made up for his shortcomings with blazing speed (For a heavyweight) and solid power.

I still have troubles watching that doozy of a hook that Patterson hit Johansen with. Johansen's feet were twitching as he lay unconcious and it was honestly one of the most vicious knockouts ever recorded.

Patterson's level of opposition was overall better than Leon's and Leon's only real claim to fame was his win over a past his prime and faded Muhammad Ali.

Patterson fought and lost to a prime Ali but at least it was a prime version.

Answer 8

Patterson wins by knockout before round 7 he was so much better then Leon