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All credit to: haNZAgod, Top Rank, and anybody else I missed.
#boxinghistory
let’s talk about the rise and fall of Leon Spinx Spinx was an amazing amateur having over 170 wins and after getting out of the Marines he would win a gold medal in the 1976 Olympics he was quick to turn pro and with only seven total fights he ended up facing Muhammad Ali for the Undisputed heavyweight titles in 1978 Spinx received a purse of only $320,000 and was a 10 to1 Underdog but he would get the biggest win of his career when he shocked the World by beating Ali by Split Decision he would be the only boxer to ever take the titles away from Oli and now he was on top of the world but in their rematch later that year Olli easily beat him and took back the titles things would spiral downhill for Spinx as he never won a title again due to his lack of training and heavy use of alcohol and drugs he got stopped by Larry Holmes for the titles in 1981 then he moved down the cruiserweight where he got stopped by Dwight Muhammed kawi for a title he ended up retiring with 26 wins 17 losses and three draws and is still one of boxing’s biggest what ifs
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I’m now gonna put down Frank Sinatra’s my way because it’s a perfect song for Leon’s rise and downfall.
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all, and I stood tall
And did it my way
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh, no, oh, no, not me
I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
Yes, it was my way
Some say that win Vs Ali was a setup So Ali could win back the title a third time
Ali threw that fight to avoid his mandatory defense against Ken Norton. Spinks was trash
They nicknamed him "Neon Leon" because he was always in the nightclubs partying. RIP
The tooth fairy gave him Crack for his teeth
…and zero dollars in the bank…😢
I was his neighbor in Addison il, he lived in the chablis apts off Lincoln st. I fought his son for talking crazy to my sister. Nice guy I remember him talking slow probably cte. His apartment was decked out in all his awards and trophies. He had a crown 👑 in a glass case. I thought he was rich then. When I got older I realized if he was living in the same apartments as us, he was going broke.
Ali did not beat him overwhelmingly in any match with Léon Spinks. Give him respect he earned that at least !
Ali didn’t easily beat him anytime he faced Ali. That’s the truth. But as Nicholson said in A FEW GOOD MEN. You want the truth. YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH!
I can’t stand how Floyd mayweather jr. always rips into Ali for loosing to this dude, Ali wasn’t the same after thrilla in Manila, I’m not saying one Ali is Better than Floyd or vise versa
The rise AND fall of Leon Spinks orbits around Muhammad Ali. Leon's rise was directly attributed to the win against Ali, and his fall began after losing to Ali in the rematch. Actually the fall began between the two matches. Leon partied it up and didn't train properly for the rematch and wasn't in a champion's frame of mind. Ali made him look amateurish in the rematch. Sadly, Leon was never the same again. R.I.P. To Both Muhammad Ali and "Neon" Leon Spinks.
That's really sad how the drugs and alcohol affected his health and career. Amazing potential lost. We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.
Leon had a good heart…
Now you see why there’s a problem with A. I. it said Michael states me $320 but the price of $320,000. I googled it. I was right $320,000…..
And 4 front teeth less
Leon’s great
I had the pleasure of meeting him, he talked with me for about 45 minutes before I left, very humble man
He was good person. Rip big g to the y
What if ?????….what was , what he did, he issssssss. R.i.p leon
"BLACULA!!!!"
😂😂😂😂😂