Leon Spinks was a boxer who became the heavyweight champion in 1978 after beating Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) in a shocking upset.
- Died: February 5, 2021 (Who else died on February 5?)
- Details of death: Died after a battle with cancer at the age of 67.
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Amateur career
Spinks won three consecutive national championships as an amateur light heavyweight. In 1976, he won gold in light heavyweight at the Summer Olympics in Montreal. His amateur record was 178 – 7, with 133 knockouts.
Beating Ali
It was only Spinks’ eighth professional fight when he challenged Ali for the heavyweight championship in 1978 in Las Vegas. Ali was Spinks’ boxing idol, and fighting the legend was an incredible opportunity for the up-and-comer. Even more incredible was Spinks’ win – by split decision, after 15 rounds. He was the new champion, and he celebrated the unexpected win very publicly. But when Ali rematched Spinks later that same year, Ali won, taking the title back from Spinks.
Later career
Spinks never again returned to the heights his career reached when he beat Ali. He continued boxing for many years until his retirement in 1995, but he took no more titles and ended his career with a record of 26 – 17 with 14 knockouts. He also wrestled for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling in the 1990s, taking its world title in 1992. But he struggled in later years, later working as a janitor. Spinks was featured in the 2009 documentary, “Facing Ali.”
Spinks on the famous Ali bout
“He’s still the greatest, I’m just the latest.”
Tributes to Leon Spinks
Full obituary: The Washington Post
