The best punch trackers on the market
8th February 2021
By: Noah Abrahams
One of only five men to beat Muhammad Ali, Leon ‘Neon’ Spinks was a loved former world champion and will always remain a boxing legend.
Most famous for stunning Ali in 1978, there was so much more to the former US marine than just being the star of one of the greatest upsets in sport.
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As an amateur, Spinks reached the pinnacle. Winning gold as a light heavyweight at the 1976 Olympic Games, the American concluded his non-professional career with a record of (178-7, 133 KO’s).
Turning pro a year later in January 1977, Spinks went the next 12 months unbeaten. Winning six of his first seven fights (Spinks drew to Scott LeDoux in Las Vegas), no one suspected that the run would continue to eight without a loss.
On only his eighth-professional bout, Spinks challenged ‘The Greatest’ – Ali. A night that changed the 24-year-old’s life, he shocked the world.
A 10-1 underdog with the bookmakers, on the 15th February 1978, Spinks prevailed after 15 rounds and won a split decision to claim the WBC, WBA and lineal heavyweight titles from Ali.
Winning 145-140 and 144-141 on two scorecards, Spinks, to 36-year-old Ali’s surprise, was no ‘easy fight’.
From unranked to world champion, Spinks’ reign lasted exactly seven months. On the 15th September 1978, the newly crowned heavyweight king lost his titles. In a re-match with Ali, the fairy-tale came to an end.
A first professional loss for Spinks, a fit and focused Ali won back his belts courtesy of a unanimous decision.
Ali went on to fight twice more and lost both bouts (Larry Holmes 1980 and Trevor Berbick 1981). Spinks however, had his whole career in front of him.
In June 1981, the opportunity presented itself for Spinks to challenge Larry Holmes for his WBC title. Following the Ali re-match loss and then an immediate defeat at the hands of Gerrie Coetzee, it was the perfect opportunity for Spinks to prove his talent once again.
Unfortunately for Spinks, his last chance at claiming back the world heavyweight title went begging. Stopped inside three rounds by Holmes, Spinks then dropped down to cruiserweight level in the mid 1980’s.
Fighting just once for the world cruiserweight title, but losing to WBA champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi in 1986, Spinks eventually retired in 1995 and with a (26-17-3, 14 KO’s) record.
Whilst Spinks had officially hung up his gloves, his fighting days continued into retirement. Working for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, the former world boxing champion became only the second man (after Primo Carnera) to hold titles in both sports.
The father of undisputed welterweight champion Cory Spinks, ‘Neon’ was also brother to Michael Spinks – An undisputed light-heavyweight champion and IBF heavyweight title holder.
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Known for his gap-toothed grin, Spinks continued to smile through often a large amount of pain. In 2012, it was found that he had a shrinkage in the brain. Doctors suspected that boxing was a contributing factor. In 2019, the fighter was diagnosed with advanced stage prostate cancer.
Passing away on Friday night, Spinks died aged just 67.
His wife Brenda Glur Spinks said: “Leon fought his battle with numerous illnesses resiliently, never losing his trademark smile. Showing true Spinks determination, he never threw in the towel.”
A sorely missed member of the boxing family, Spinks truly was one of a kind!
“I’m not The Greatest. Just the latest.” – Spinks after beating Muhammad Ali in 1978.
