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Suddenly, Spinks was the heavyweight champion of the world, memorably proclaiming afterward, "I'm not The Greatest. Just the latest.'' Spinks, who lived his later years in Las Vegas, died Friday … 1 contender, Ken Norton. The Olympic gold medallist won the 15-round bout with a split decision on the judges’ scorecards. FOTY 1978- Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks I 1-8 Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks 1Venue: Hilton Pavillion, Las Vegas. In only his eighth professional fight, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali in a split decision, in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. In only his eighth professional fight, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali via split decision, in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Tough call because Spinks in 1977 was knocking out people faster than George Foreman and he unleashed a tremendous beating on Ali. ... he won the … So, it wasn’t inconceivable that Ali could lose to even a novice like Spinks. Ali was the first man to win the heavyweight championship on three separate occasions but an interesting conspiracy theory involving Ali, Leon Spinks, and Ken Norton would have you believe that may have been by design. In the original Rocky, the Oscar-winning film of 1976, the same year Leon won his gold medal, and the only movie in the series that can be taken seriously on any level, the heavyweight champion of the world, one Apollo Creed — his character a homage bordering on satire of Ali — searches for the right angle to promote his next fight, to make it something more than just another title defense. On February 15, 1978, in Las Vegas, an aging Ali lost the title to Leon Spinks in a 15-round split decision. Leon Spinks (born July 11, 1953) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. He was 67. Spinks, a 10-to-1 underdog at the time of the fight, became the most inexperienced boxer ever to win the heavyweight championship. Spinks, the 10-1 underdog, defeated Ali, making him the newest heavyweight champion. Holmes is one of only five boxers—along with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks and Trevor Berbick—to defeat Muhammad Ali; he is the only one to have stopped Ali (while Ali was suffering with early Parkinson's disease). But that would turn out to be the highlight of Spinks' career. Spinks *WON* Ali-Spinks II Showing 1-73 of 73 messages. Won 1976 Olympic Gold medal at Middle wt. He was a mess and his brother carried the Spinks name into the 1980s. Patterson was even faster and a better technical boxer. Leon Spinks is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. After some negotiations, the heavyweight title was unified in the heavyweight unification series, a series of coordinated bouts in 1986 and 1987, with Mike Tyson … LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. The end result was a unanimous decision victory for 'Smokin' Joe', and it was Ali who lost his unbeaten record on the night. He was 67. He was ready to be taken and Spinks did just that. It would be even more understandable if you had a handle on where Leon grew up. He was never a top contender again. He defeated Muhammad Ali to win the world heavyweight championship at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 15,1978. He had tremendous speed. The result was predictable: Ali won a unanimous decision to reclaim one of his belts, the other of which was stripped from Spinks when he chose to fight Ali instead of Ken Norton. Ali since Frazier 3 Manila three years earlier was really slipping. Instead, Spinks chose to give Ali an immediate rematch. The 15th round of Spinks vs Ali was arguably one of the greatest last rounds in heavyweight history. The first was bronze at the inaugural 1974 World Championships, followed by silver at the 1975 Pan American Games, and gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics; the latter alongside his brother Michael Spinks, who won middleweight gold. But Spinks had the last word, rocking Ali with a right hand in the closing moments of the fight. Spinks had taken the WBA light heavyweight championship from Eddie Mustafa Muhammad back in 1981 and had since won ten straight and unified the title. This Peter Finney column appeared in the States-Item on Sept. 16, 1978, the day after Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks in a rematch to win the heavyweight title for the third time. Spinks won by split decision (how judge Art Lurie scored the fight for Ali was criminal) and at 24 was the heavyweight champion of the world. Muhammad Ali is considered by many to be the greatest heavyweight in boxing history and some have even called him the greatest pound-for-pound fighter to ever live. Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. Back then, championship fights still went as long as 15 rounds, and in the first two of 'The Fight Of The Century', Ali looked great. Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. A former Olympic gold medalist and younger brother of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, he was … I might go with Patterson despite the fact that he … In only his eighth professional fight, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali in a split decision, in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.Spinks was later stripped of the WBC title for facing Ali in an … Spinks was indeed an underdog, but Ali wasn’t viewed as unbeatable by this time. He was 67. As an amateur, Spinks won numerous medals in the light heavyweight division. It was also the public’s choice. A sellout crowd of 5,298 produced a gate of $756,300. It was the last victory in Ali’s great career. Foreman also breaks down the upcoming Andy Ruiz vs. Anthony Joshua rematch and tells us why it would be very wise for Anthony Joshua to do some film study of Ali vs. Spinks … The aging champ had looked vulnerable for years and was lucky to get wins over Jimmy Young and Ken Norton in 1976. Leon Spinks, who beat Muhammad Ali in historic upset in 1978, dies at 67. 58th bout of Muhammad Ali The WBC amp WBA World Heavyweight Championship Age 36 Fights 57 Won 55 Lost 2 Drawn 0 vs Leon Spinks from Saint Louis Missouri USA Age 24 Fights 7 Won 6 Lost 0 Drawn 1 Feb 15 1978 Las Vegas Nevada USA L SD 15 15 Note This is an… Leon Spinks (born July 11, 1953) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. The rematch was notable for both men. And it marked the last time Spinks would hold a major title. The WBC sanctioned Ali's fight against Spinks on December 1, 1977, but said the winner had to fight Norton. Leon Spinks, who scored one of boxing’s greatest upsets when he defeated Muhammad Ali to capture the heavyweight championship in February 1978, but lost his crown in a rematch seven months later and never again found glory in the ring, died on Friday night in Henderson, Nev. Spinks deserved that win!, he was never as good as Ali really, he wasn't on that level, but he was prepared for the 15 rounds 100%, wanted the win as much as any fighter ever wants to win, he wanted it more than Ali … Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died at the age of 67. Foster - W 56 (KO's 46) TF 65 - W pct 86% - KO pct 71% - wins over Tiger, V. Rondon and Ali - KO'ed by Frazier and Ali (all of his KO defeats were by Hwy wts except 2 at the end of his career when he was 40 yrs old) - #17 ranked puncher - #55 ranked fighter. Leon Spinks, left, defeated Muhammad Ali in a 15-round unanimous decision to become the heavyweight champion. By the 14th Ali was looking weary and Spinks was fighting strongly. With only seven professional bouts on his résumé, Spinks became the only the second man to defeat Ali … Spinks had only seven professional fights under his belt when he got into the ring with Ali. After just eight professional fights, Spinks was the WBA and WBC Heavyweight champion. The politics of boxing then reared its ugly head as the WBC stripped Spinks for refusing to face the No. The fight aired live on CBS and drew more than 70 million viewers. Leon Spinks on this day did what many thought was the unthinkable in his eighth professional fight. Leon was consumed by drugs and the rightful thing happened in the second fight. In an incredible 15th and final round, it was Leon who had Ali in serious trouble right before the final bell sounded. Spinks was an unorthodox fighter. He was just 24, competing in his 8th professional fight when he confronted Ali. Leon Spinks, right, fighting Muhammad Ali on Feb. 15, 1978. CBS paid $3.8 million to televise the bout. Spinks, who lived his later years in Las Vegas, died Friday night, according to a release from a public relations firm. Both my parents and I sat in silent disbelief. Leon Spinks is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. Getty Images. Ali won easily. But he rose in prominence when he beat Muhammed Ali for the heavyweight title in 1978. Spinks had completed a year into pro-boxing and entered this fight as a sheer underdog. Ali vs. Frazier: Who won the first fight? It was all downhill for Leon. He was 67. Spinks won gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. And so you’d have understood it if Leon Spinks would not be remembered as anything more than the ill-fated older brother of Hall of Fame light heavyweight Michael Spinks (31-1 record, fought 1977-1988, won light heavyweight and heavyweight titles). Instead, Spinks chose a rematch with Ali, who took back the WBA title in a unanimous decision at the Superdome in New Orleans seven months after their first bout. Spinks *WON* Ali-Spinks II: HITFAN: 8/22/09 6:21 AM: Being too young to have seen a lot of Muhammad Ali fights when they were broadcast on TV, I've read hundreds of boxing magazines and an issue It was punch for punch, with Ali fighting through exhaustion to land right hands. Ali's purse was $3.5 million, and Spinks received $320,000. His wife, Brenda Glur Spinks, and a few close friends and other family members were by his side when he passed away. But the champion, who clearly was nearing the end, had put the $3 million number out there and Michael Spinks wanted his shot. 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