Spinks vs. Spinks: Leon Profile 1

For many boxers, the road to the championship of the world is a long and brutal struggle. Most boxers already have 20 or more fights when they climb through the ropes across from the champion. Many boxing experts and historians will tell you that those fights are a preparation for the big fight, and we here at Athletes and Eras totally agree. Before you can make a legitimate challenge, you have to earn it. Like we said, it usually takes 20 fights or so. But Leon Spinks, a powerful brawler from St. Louis, Missouri, earned his shot in just seven fights; he won the title in fight number eight.

There was an 11 year age difference between Spinks and Muhammad Ali, and that is clearly seen in the video above. Ali was aging, and it was nearly time for him to go. Spinks, however, at 25 years old, was just beginning.

In 1977, Spinks stormed into the boxing world, winning his first five fights by knockout before drawing with Scott DeLoux. He then defeated Italian champion Alfio Righetti by unanimous decision in 10 rounds. All of a sudden, this young man, whom very few had heard outside of his participation in the 1976 Olympic Games (with his younger brother, Michael). was propelled into the spotlight with a title shot against Ali.

Ali was expecting (and honestly hoping) for an easy fight. He thought what we're sure everyone thought at the time: "Only seven fights and he's fighting Ali? There's no way this kid is ready!" Well, on February 15th, 1978, Spinks proved the whole world wrong, utilizing his power and seemingly limitless supply of energy to outwork Ali. Spinks made boxing history that night; for one, that was one of the few fights where visible damage was done to Ali's face, and two, he ascent remains to this day, the fastest rise to the top in all of boxing history.

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