09/21/1985 - Michael Spinks
Michael Spinks (born July 22, 1956) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1988. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed light heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985 and the lineal heavyweight title from 1985 to 1988. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Nicknamed “Jinx”, which inspired the name of his straight right hand, “The Spinks Jinx”, he is the brother of former world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks and uncle of Cory Spinks, a former welterweight and light middleweight champion.
After winning Olympic gold, Spinks went undefeated in his first 31 professional fights, beating Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Marvin Johnson and Eddie Davis to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion. After ten successful title defenses, he moved up to heavyweight and, as an underdog, defeated long-reigning IBF champion Larry Holmes, whose 48–0 record was one shy of Rocky Marciano’s mark. Spinks became the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight title. His only professional defeat came in his final fight, when he was knocked out by Mike Tyson in 91 seconds.
Spinks has been inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The International Boxing Research Organization and BoxRec rank him among the ten greatest light heavyweights of all time.
Amateur Career
Spinks compiled an amateur record of 93 wins and 7 losses. He won the 1974 National Golden Gloves Light Middleweight Championship, finished runner-up at the 1975 National AAU, then won the 1976 National Golden Gloves Middleweight title. That same year he claimed the U.S. Olympic Trials and went on to win gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, defeating Rufat Riskiyev of the Soviet Union in the final after a first-round knockdown led to a referee stoppage in round three. Due to a bye and two walkovers, he only boxed two opponents to win gold.
Hiatus
After the Olympics, Spinks returned to work at a chemical factory in St. Louis. Leon Spinks was the rising star at the time, preparing to face Muhammad Ali, and Michael focused on supporting his brother and caring for their mother. His career was put on hold until 1977, when promoter Butch Lewis convinced him to turn professional.
Professional Career
Spinks debuted on April 17, 1977, knocking out Eddie Benson in one round in Las Vegas. He closed that year with a decision over Gary Summerhays, beginning a steady climb in opposition. In 1978 he won two bouts, including a decision over Tom Bethea on the undercard of Leon’s win over Ali. He fought only once in 1979, winning by first-round knockout, then stepped up in 1980 with victories over Murray Sutherland, David Conteh, Ramon Ronquillo and Alvaro Yaqui Lopez. By 1981 he was a top contender, stopping Marvin Johnson in four rounds to become WBA mandatory challenger. On July 18, 1981, he defeated Eddie Mustafa Muhammad by unanimous decision to win the WBA light heavyweight title.
He defended against Vonzell Johnson that year and Mustafa Wassaja in 1982, becoming a major star. In January 1983, his wife Sandy Massey died in a car crash, leaving him a single parent. Two months later, Spinks met Dwight Muhammad Qawi on March 18 for the undisputed light heavyweight title. After composing himself in the dressing room following an emotional moment with his daughter, he dominated Qawi with jabs and counters, winning by unanimous decision. He defended against Oscar Rivadeneira later that year with a tenth-round knockout.
In 1984 he retained the crown with a majority decision over Eddie Davis. A rematch with Qawi was cancelled due to injury, and Spinks was also recognized as IBF light heavyweight champion that year.
Holmes vs. Spinks
In 1985, Spinks defended his titles against David Sears and Jim McDonald before challenging Larry Holmes for the IBF and lineal heavyweight championship. Holmes was seeking to tie Marciano’s 49–0 record, but Spinks pulled off a major upset, winning a narrow unanimous decision and making history as the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight title. His victory was named Ring Magazine Upset of the Year. Michael and Leon became the first brothers to win the world heavyweight title, a feat later matched by Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko.
Heavyweight Champion
In 1986, Spinks defeated Holmes again by split decision in a rematch, then retained his title with a fourth-round knockout of Steffen Tangstad. In 1987 he was stripped by the IBF for refusing to face mandatory challenger Tony Tucker, choosing instead to fight Gerry Cooney for a higher purse. He knocked out Cooney in five rounds. Even after Mike Tyson unified the titles, many still recognized Spinks as the lineal heavyweight champion, setting up a highly anticipated clash between the two.
Spinks vs. Tyson
On June 27, 1988, Spinks faced Tyson and was knocked down twice en route to a first-round knockout loss — the only defeat of his career. He entered the fight 31–0 with 21 knockouts, still holding The Ring heavyweight title and the lineal claim, as he had never lost in the ring. Tyson and Dwight Muhammad Qawi were the only fighters to officially floor him. Spinks retired immediately after.
Spinks is widely regarded as one of the greatest light heavyweights of all time, the only champion to remain undefeated in the division’s history until Joe Calzaghe, and the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight crown.
The Ring Magazine ranked him third all-time at light heavyweight in 2002, behind Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore. He was 42nd on their list of the 100 greatest punchers and 41st on their list of the 80 best fighters of the last 80 years.
