Editing Leon Spinks

{{Short description|American boxer (1953–2021)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Leon Spinks
| image = Leon Spinks 1.jpg
| caption = Spinks vs. Ray Kipping, 1995
| realname = 
| nickname = Neon
| weight = {{plainlist|
*[[Cruiserweight (boxing)|Cruiserweight]]
*[[Heavyweight]]
}}
| height = 6 ft 1 in
| reach = 76 in
| birth_date = {{birth date|1953|7|11}}
| birth_place = [[St. Louis]], Missouri, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|02|05|1953|7|11}}
| death_place = [[Henderson, Nevada]], U.S.
| style = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| boxrec = 000262
| total = 46
| wins = 26
| losses = 17
| KO = 14
| draws = 3
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport | Men's [[amateur boxing]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalGold | [[1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Montreal]] | [[Boxing at the 1976 Summer Olympics – Light heavyweight|Light heavyweight]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1975 Pan American Games|1975 Mexico City]] | [[Boxing at the 1975 Pan American Games|Light heavyweight]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[World Amateur Boxing Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalBronze | [[1974 World Amateur Boxing Championships|1974 Havana]] | Light heavyweight}}
}}
'''Leon Spinks''' (July 11, 1953 – February 5, 2021) was an American [[professional boxer]] who competed from 1977 to 1995. In only his eighth professional fight, he won the [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed]] [[heavyweight]] championship in 1978 after defeating [[Muhammad Ali]] in a [[split decision]], in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Spinks was later stripped of the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] title for facing Ali in an unapproved rematch seven months later, which he lost by a [[unanimous decision]].

Besides being heavyweight champion and his characteristic gap-toothed grin (due to losing two and later all four of his front teeth), Spinks gained notoriety for the disaster which befell his career following his loss to Ali.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/boxing/articles/2005/12/21/riches_to_rags/ "Riches to rags"] ''The Boston Globe'', December 21, 2005</ref> However, he did challenge once more for the WBC heavyweight title in 1981 (losing to [[Larry Holmes]] by TKO in the third round), and the [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] [[cruiserweight (boxing)|cruiserweight]] title in 1986 (losing to [[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]] by TKO in the sixth round).

As an [[amateur boxing|amateur]], Spinks won numerous medals in the [[light heavyweight]] division. The first was bronze at the inaugural [[1974 World Amateur Boxing Championships|1974 World Championships]], followed by silver at the [[Boxing at the 1975 Pan American Games|1975 Pan American Games]], and gold at the [[Boxing at the 1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Summer Olympics]]; the latter alongside his brother [[Michael Spinks]], who won [[middleweight]] gold. Leon served in the [[United States Marine Corps]] from 1973 to 1976, rising to the rank of corporal. He was stationed at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune]] in North Carolina and was on the Marine Corps Boxing Team.<ref name=barber>Barber, James. [https://www.military.com/off-duty/2021/02/08/how-marine-corps-gave-leon-spinks-his-shot-greatness.html "How the Marine Corps Gave Leon Spinks His Shot at Greatness"], ''Military.com website'', February 8, 2021. Accessed February 14, 2021.</ref>

Spinks also had a brief career as a [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] from 1986, 1990 to 1993. He mainly worked for [[Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling]] (FMW) and holding the [[FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship]] in 1992.<ref name="auto">''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'', March 1993 issue, p. 27.</ref>

==Amateur career==
Spinks won three consecutive national [[Association of American Universities|AAU]] light heavyweight championships from 1974 to 1976, the first of which came against future champion [[Michael Dokes]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moriello |first1=John |title=Leon Spinks Is Facing a Sad Ending After a Wasted Boxing Career |url=https://www.sportscasting.com/leon-spinks-is-facing-a-sad-ending-after-a-wasted-career/ |website=Sportscasting |access-date=February 6, 2021 |date=April 11, 2020}}</ref> He was serving in the [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] at the time.<ref name=barber/>

===Olympic results===
Spinks won the [[Boxing at the 1976 Summer Olympics – Light heavyweight|light heavyweight]] gold medal at the [[Boxing at the 1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Summer Olympics]] in [[Montreal]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Spinks welcomed home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69546272/the-gaffney-ledger/ |access-date=February 6, 2021 |work=[[The Gaffney Ledger]] |date=August 11, 1976 |pages=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leon Spinks, 67-Years-Old, Passes Away After Long Battle With Cancer |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/leon-spinks-67-years-old-passes-away-long-battle-with-cancer--155246 |website=BoxingScene |date=February 6, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref> He defeated [[Abdel Latif Fatihi]] from Morocco, Soviet-Ukrainian [[Anatoliy Klimanov]], East-German [[Ottomar Sachse]] and [[Janusz Gortat]] from Poland en route to the final, where he defeated Cuba's [[Sixto Soria]] to win the gold.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. boxers haul gold |url=http://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/07.31.html?scp=1&sq=sugar%2520ray&st=cse |website=archive.nytimes.com |access-date=February 6, 2021 |date=July 31, 1976}}</ref>

Spinks finished his amateur career with a record of 178–7 with 133 knockouts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Sam |title=Leon Spinks finds his way |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-03-31-8501180451-story.html |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=March 31, 1985 |access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref>

==Professional career==
Spinks debuted professionally on January 15, 1977, in [[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], beating Bob Smith by knockout in five rounds.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leon Spinks Pro Debut Stops Bob Smith This Day January 15, 1977 – Boxing Hall of Fame |url=https://boxinghalloffame.com/leon-spinks-pro-debut-stops-bob-smith-this-day-january-15-1977/ |website=Boxing Hall of Fame |access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> His next fight was in [[Liverpool|Liverpool, England]], where he beat Peter Freeman by a first-round knockout.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-Bolton boxer Peter Freeman has no regrets about the day 'Neon' Leon Spinks put his lights out |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/other_sport/15779660.ex-bolton-boxer-peter-freeman-has-no-regrets-about-the-day-neon-leon-spinks-put-his-lights-out/ |website=The Bolton News |date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Later, he saw an improvement in opposition quality, when he fought Pedro Agosto of [[Puerto Rico]] and knocked him out in round one.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leon Spinks KOs Pedro Agosto This Day May 7, 1977 – Boxing Hall of Fame |url=https://boxinghalloffame.com/leon-spinks-kos-agosto-may-7-1977/ |website=Boxing Hall of Fame |access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> He then fought [[Scott LeDoux]] to a draw and defeated Italian champion Alfio Righetti in a decision.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goodpaster |first1=Mike |title=Scott LeDoux: The Fighting Frenchman and his shot at the title |url=https://thegruelingtruth.com/boxing/scott-ledoux-the-fighting-frenchman-and-his-shot-at-the-title/ |website=The Grueling Truth |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=April 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Amato |first1=Jim |title=Alfio Righetti |url=http://www.myboxingfans.com/2010/05/alfio-righetti/ |website=www.myboxingfans.com |date=May 3, 2010 |access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>

===Spinks vs. Ali===
{{Main|Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks}}
At the time a lower-ranked contender, he made history on February 15, 1978, by decisively beating [[Muhammad Ali]] on a 15-round split decision, that was in actuality fairly one-sided, in Las Vegas, Nevada.<ref name="espn">{{cite web |title=Leon Spinks, ex-champ who upset Ali, dies at 67 |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/30848782/leon-spinks-ex-heavyweight-champ-upset-muhammad-ali-dies-67 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 7, 2021 |language=en |date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> Spinks won the world heavyweight title in his eighth professional fight, the shortest span in history.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ruiz |first1=Michael |title=Boxing legend Leon Spinks dies at 67 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/boxing-legend-leon-spinks-dies-at-67 |website=Fox News |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> The aging Ali had expected an easy fight, but he was out-boxed by Spinks, who did not tire throughout the bout and had Ali ready to fall in the last seconds of the fight.<ref name="espn" /> It was one of the few occasions when Ali left the ring with a bruised and puffy face.

The victory over Ali was the peak of Spinks's career.<ref name="espn" /> He was the only man to take a title from Muhammad Ali in the ring, as Ali's other losses were non-title contests or bouts where Ali was the challenger. Spinks's gap-toothed grin was featured on the cover of the February 19, 1978 issue of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Putnam |first1=Pat |title=SI Vault: Ali takes sloppy win, title from Spinks |url=https://www.si.com/boxing/2015/09/24/muhammad-ali-leon-spinks-heavyweight-championship-vault |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=February 7, 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref>

However, Spinks was stripped of his world title by the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] for refusing to defend it against [[Ken Norton]], instead agreeing to a return bout against Ali to defend his [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] crown.<ref name="espn" /> The title, stripped from Spinks, was then awarded to Norton.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spinks Stripped of Crown; W.B.C. Recognizes Norton (Published 1978) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/19/archives/spinks-stripped-of-crown-wbc-recognizes-norton-suit-seems-likely.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=March 19, 1978}}</ref>

===Rematch===
{{Main|Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali II}}
His second match with Ali, at the [[Louisiana Superdome]] on September 15, 1978, went badly for Spinks. A now-in-shape Ali—with better, sharper tactics—rarely lost control, winning back his title by a unanimous fifteen-round decision.<ref name="espn" /> Ali regained the title, becoming the first three-time [[Lineal championship|lineal heavyweight champion]].<ref name=CBZ>{{cite web |title=Leon Spinks |url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/leon.htm |website=Cyber Boxing Zone|access-date=November 20, 2016}}</ref> Spinks was never given a rematch; Ali retired after the fight (although he came out of retirement a few years later to fight [[Larry Holmes]] and [[Trevor Berbick]]).

===Career development===
{{main|Larry Holmes vs. Leon Spinks}}
[[File:Leon Spinks 2.jpg|thumb|250px|upright=3.|Spinks defeated Ray Kipping on June 19, 1995, in [[St. Louis]]]]
[[File:Leon Spinks 3.jpg|thumb|right|250px|upright=3.|Spinks during his final victory held at the "Little Bit of Texas" in St. Louis]]

Spinks's next fight, his only one in 1979, was at [[Monte Carlo]], where he was knocked out in the first round by future WBA world heavyweight champion [[Gerrie Coetzee]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brady |first1=Dave |title=Spinks Wasn't in Shape, Former Trainer Opines |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1979/06/26/spinks-wasnt-in-shape-former-trainer-opines/5886a451-b2ed-4ca2-a501-a24eccf11c48/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=June 26, 1979}}</ref> In the following fight, Spinks defeated former world title challenger and European title holder [[Alfredo Evangelista]] by a knockout in round 5.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Nack |first1=William |title=Spinks was no sphinx |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1980/01/21/spinks-was-no-sphinx-inscrutable-leon-got-his-act-together-for-now-and-kod-alfredo-evangelista |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=February 7, 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref> He then fought to a draw in with Eddie López,<ref>{{cite web |title=Whicker: Remembering Eddie Lopez, the animal who laughed |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2017/07/22/remembering-eddie-lopez-the-animal-who-laughed/ |website=Orange County Register |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=July 23, 2017}}</ref> scored a knockout over Kevin Isaac in May,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Katz |first1=Michael |title=Leon Spinks in search of himself and title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/08/sports/leon-spinks-in-search-of-himself-and-title.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=June 8, 1981}}</ref> and, in October, beat the WBC's top-ranked challenger, [[Bernardo Mercado]], by a knockout in round nine on the undercard of [[Muhammad Ali vs. Larry Holmes]].<ref>{{cite news |title='U.S. Title' Captured By Spinks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/10/03/us-title-captured-by-spinks/102bed64-72fb-4fc3-86a3-fd25fb5a79b5/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>

His strong performance against Mercado earned Spinks a title match against [[Larry Holmes]]. In Spinks's only fight in 1981, on June 12 and what would be his last opportunity to win the heavyweight title, he took multiple punches without responding in the third round and the referee stopped the  fight.<ref>{{cite web |title=Larry Holmes knocks out Leon Spinks in third round for title |url=https://qconline.com/news/archives/1981-larry-holmes-knocks-out-leon-spinks-in-third-round-for-title/image_07c4cc28-7be9-54c4-9953-66616f273065.html |website=Dispatch Argus |date=June 11, 2020 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

===Move to cruiserweight===
It was Spinks's last heavyweight bout for years, as he began boxing in the [[Cruiserweight (boxing)|cruiserweight]] division. He beat contender Ivy Brown by a decision in ten rounds,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Katz |first1=Michael |title=Leon Spinks starts out in a new class |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/24/sports/leon-spinks-starts-out-in-a-new-class.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=February 24, 1982}}</ref> and gained a decision against former and future title challenger [[Jesse Burnett]] in twelve rounds.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Katz |first1=Michael |title=Leon Spinks returns with a victory |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/11/01/sports/leon-spinks-returns-with-a-victory.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=November 1, 1982}}</ref>

Spinks was due to face the World Cruiserweight number one [[David Pearce (boxer)|David Pearce]], but the fight was called off on 24 hours notice after the fighters had both weighed in, due to the BBBoC stance on Pearce fighting abroad in the newly formed Cruiserweight division.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Pearce: Statue of 'Newport's Rocky' to inspire boxers |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-44403543?intlink_from_url=&link_location=live-reporting-story |website=BBC News |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=June 9, 2018}}</ref>

When his brother Michael Spinks defeated Larry Holmes in a controversial upset for the IBF heavyweight championship in 1985, they became the only brothers to have held world heavyweight championships. They kept the distinction until the [[Klitschko brothers]] became champions two decades later.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hummel |first1=Rick |title=St. Louisan and former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks dies at 67 |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/other/st-louisan-and-former-heavyweight-champion-leon-spinks-jr-dies-at-67/article_2c41c5dc-0719-5f1e-a74e-6368605513cf.html |website=STLtoday.com |date=February 7, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In the 1980s Leon Spinks competed in several boxer vs. wrestler matches in [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW), including losing by submission to [[Antonio Inoki]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Boxing Legend Leon Spinks, Who Once Had Match With Antonio Inoki, Dead At 67 |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/boxing-legend-leon-spinks-who-once-had-match-with-antonio-inoki-dead-at-67/ |website=411mania.com |access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref> In 1986 Spinks earned his last championship opportunity, fighting [[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]] for the WBA cruiserweight championship.<ref name="cbs">{{cite web |title=Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks dies at 67 after lengthy cancer battle |url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/former-heavyweight-champion-leon-spinks-dies-at-67-after-lengthy-cancer-battle/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=February 7, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Qawi had been defeated by Michael Spinks three years earlier for his WBC light heavyweight championship. However, Leon lost by TKO in the sixth round.<ref name="cbs"/>

Spinks boxed for another eight years with mixed results. In 1994 he lost a bout by KO to John Carlo, the first time a former heavyweight champion had lost to a boxer making his pro debut (promoter Charles Farrell later admitted to falsifying Carlo's record in order to get the fight sanctioned by the [[District of Columbia]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/06/13/321664970/the-fix-is-in |title=The Fix Is In |work=[[Snap Judgment (radio show)|Snap Judgment]] |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=June 13, 2014 |access-date=July 3, 2015}}</ref> Spinks retired at age 42, after losing an 8-round decision to Fred Houpe in 1995, who was coming off a seventeen-year hiatus.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldstein |first1=Richard |title=Leon Spinks, Boxer Who Took Ali's Crown and Lost It, Dies at 67 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/sports/leon-spinks-dead.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>

==Professional wrestling career==
On October 9, 1986, Spinks lost to Japanese legend [[Antonio Inoki]] in a mixed martial arts fight for [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=5958&page=4&year=1986&promotion=7|title=Cagematch.net}}</ref> Spinks made an appearance for the [[United States Wrestling Association]] on June 25, 1990, where he lost to [[Jerry Lawler]] by disqualification.

In 1991, Spinks made his debut in Japan for [[Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling]] (FMW) teaming with fellow boxer Rufus Blackborn. He later teamed with [[Dr. Luther]] in 1992. On March 25, 1992, he defeated [[Tarzan Goto]] for the [[FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |author= Oliver, Greg|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2021/02/06/leon-spinks-many-wrestling-connections/ |title=Leon Spinks' many wrestling connections |date = February 6, 2021|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> He would drop the title to [[Atsushi Onita]] on May 24, 1992. In 1993, he feuded with [[Terry Funk]] and retired from wrestling later that year.<ref>{{cite web |author= Pollock, John|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2021/02/08/pollocks-news-update-leon-spinks-pro-wrestling-history/ |title=Leon Spinks' pro wrestling history|date = February 8, 2021|work=Pollock's News Update|publisher=[[POST Wrestling]]}}</ref>

==Life after boxing==
During the 1990s, Spinks worked for [[Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling]], winning its [[FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship|world title]] in 1992, making him only the second man (after [[Primo Carnera]]) to hold titles in both boxing and [[professional wrestling|wrestling]].<ref name="auto"/> In the late 1990s, Spinks was a headliner on year-round, touring [[autograph]] shows. In 2005 Spinks was living in [[Columbus, Nebraska]], working as a janitor at a YMCA and at a McDonald's.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trott |first=Bill |date=February 6, 2021 |title=Leon Spinks, boxing's former heavyweight champion, dead at 67 |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/leon-spinks-boxings-former-heavyweight-champion-dead-at-67-idUSKBN2A7011/}}</ref>

In 2009, Spinks was featured as part of the 2009 documentary ''[[Facing Ali]]'', in which notable former opponents of Ali speak about how fighting Ali changed their lives.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Del Rosario |first1=Alexandra |title=Leon Spinks Jr. Dies: Ex-Heavyweight Boxing Champ Who Defeated Muhammad Ali Was 67 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/leon-spinks-jr-dies-heavyweight-boxing-champion-muhammad-ali-1234689103/ |website=Deadline |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>

Spinks lived later in his life in [[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]]. He told a reporter his life was "comfortable", and that he kept a low profile.<ref>Steve Sipple, "Ex-champ Leon Spinks cleans up in Columbus". ''Lincoln Journal Star'', April 4, 2005.</ref>

In August 2017, Leon was inducted into the [[Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame]] along with his brother, Michael.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leon Spinks, heavyweight champ who once beat Ali, dead at 67 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/leon-spinks-heavyweight-champ-who-once-beat-ali-dies-67-n1256951 |website=NBC News |date=February 7, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life and health==
Spinks was born and raised in [[St. Louis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leon-Spinks|title=Leon Spinks &#124; American boxer|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|date=May 24, 2023 }}</ref>

Leon's son, [[Cory Spinks]], held the undisputed [[welterweight]] title, and was the [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] [[junior middleweight]] champion twice.

In 1990, Leon's other son, Leon Calvin, was shot to death in [[East St. Louis]] as he was driving home from his girlfriend's house.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/23/sports/leon-spinks-s-son-is-fatally-shot.html?mcubz=1 |title=Leon Spinks's Son Is Fatally Shot |date=July 23, 1990 |website=[[The New York Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=August 21, 2017}}</ref> Calvin was an aspiring light heavyweight pro boxer with a record of 2–0, with the two pro bouts occurring only a month before he died.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/200712 |title=Leon Calvin |website=BoxRec |access-date=February 8, 2018}}</ref> Leon's grandson and Calvin's son, Leon Spinks III, is an aspiring light heavyweight southpaw boxer with a pro record of 11–3–1 with seven knockouts, his last outing being a six-round draw with Robbie Cannon in October 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://boxrec.com/pl/boxer/604752|title=Leon Spinks III |website=BoxRec |access-date=February 8, 2018}}</ref>

Spinks perceptibly slurred his words after his active boxing days, and was diagnosed in 2012 with shrinkage in his brain, which doctors said was likely caused by the accumulated punches that he took during his career. In 2011, Spinks and his wife Brenda moved to Las Vegas. Spinks was hospitalized twice in 2014 in a Las Vegas hospital for [[surgery]] due to abdominal problems, from which he recovered.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2014/10/13/former-champion-leon-spinks-hospitalized/17206769/ |title=Former champion Leon Spinks hospitalized |work=USA Today |access-date=February 8, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, it was revealed that Spinks was diagnosed with [[advanced prostate cancer]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.survivornet.com/articles/boxing-champ-leon-spinks-prostate-cancer-has-spread-what-are-the-treatment-options/ |title=Boxing Champ Leon Spinks' Prostate Cancer Has Spread – What Are the Treatment Options? |website=SurvivorNet}}</ref> He died at a hospital in [[Henderson, Nevada]] on February 5, 2021, at age 67.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/sports/leon-spinks-dead.html|title = Leon Spinks, Boxer Who Took Ali's Crown and Lost It, Dies at 67|work = [[The New York Times]]|date = February 6, 2021|access-date = February 6, 2021|last = Goldstein|first = Richard}}</ref>

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=3
|ko-wins=14
|ko-losses=9
|dec-wins=11
|dec-losses=8
|dq-wins=1
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|46
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{nowrap|26–17–3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Fred Houpe
|UD
|8
|Dec 4, 1995
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|A Little Bit of Texas, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.}}
|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–16–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Ray Kipping
|UD
|8
|Jun 19, 1995
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|A Little Bit of Texas, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.}}
|
|-
|44
|{{no2}}Loss
|25–16–3
|style="text-align:left;"|John Carlo
|KO
|1, {{small|1:09}}
|Oct 22, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Washington Convention Center|Convention Center]], [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|43
|{{no2}}Loss
|25–15–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Shane Sutcliffe]]
|UD
|8
|Oct 1, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Nanaimo Civic Arena|Civic Arena]], [[Nanaimo]], British Columbia, Canada}}
|
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–14–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Eddie Curry
|{{abbr|DQ|Disqualification}}
|9 (10)
|Jun 22, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Raleigh, North Carolina]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Curry disqualified after refusing to answer the bell for round 9, believing the fight was scheduled for 8 rounds}}
|-
|41
|{{no2}}Loss
|24–14–3
|style="text-align:left;"|James Wilder
|PTS
|10
|Feb 27, 1993
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Davenport, Iowa]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–13–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Kevin Poindexter
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:37}}
|Dec 11, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|39
|{{no2}}Loss
|23–13–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Kevin Porter
|PTS
|10
|Sep 26, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Lansing, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–12–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Jack Jackson
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:52}}
|Jul 24, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–12–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Rocky Bentley
|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}
|10
|Jun 17, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Georgia World Congress Center|World Congress Center]], [[Atlanta]], Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–12–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Rick Myers
|UD
|10
|Mar 20, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Clarion Hotel Ballroom, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.}}
|
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–12–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Andre Crowder
|SD
|10
|Feb 28, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Union Hall, [[Countryside, Illinois]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–12–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Lupe Guerra
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:13}}
|Nov 15, 1991
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Genesis Convention Center]], [[Gary, Indiana]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|33
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–12–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Tony Morrison
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|0:33}}
|May 30, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Marriott Hotel, [[Trumbull, Connecticut]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|32
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–11–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Randall "Tex" Cobb|Randall Cobb]]
|{{abbr|MD|Majority decision}}
|10
|Mar 18, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Nashville Municipal Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]], [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|31
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–10–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Ladislao Mijangos
|SD
|10
|Dec 20, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[HemisFair Arena|Convention Center Arena]], [[San Antonio]], Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|30
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–9–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Terry Mims
|SD
|10
|Oct 20, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Swingos, [[Cleveland]], Ohio, U.S.}}
|
|-
|29
|{{draw}}Draw
|18–8–3
|style="text-align:left;"|Jim Ashard
|SD
|10
|Aug 29, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Lane County Fair]] grounds, [[Eugene, Oregon]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|28
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–8–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Angelo Musone]]
|KO
|7 (10)
|May 22, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Iesi]], Italy}}
|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Jeff Jordan
|SD
|12
|Apr 28, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium]], [[Nagoya]], Japan}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title}}
|-
|26
|{{no2}}Loss
|17–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[José Ribalta]]
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|2:10}}
|Jan 17, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Coconut Grove Convention Center]], [[Miami]], Florida, U.S.}}
|
|-
|25
|{{no2}}Loss
|17–6–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Rocky Sekorski]]
|TKO
|6 (10), {{small|1:43}}
|Aug 2, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Port Authority, [[Detroit Lakes, Minnesota]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|24
|{{no2}}Loss
|17–5–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]
|TKO
|6 (15), {{small|2:56}}
|Mar 22, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Lawlor Events Center]], [[Reno, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For [[list of WBA world champions#Cruiserweight|WBA cruiserweight title]]}}
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Kip Kane
|TKO
|8 (12), {{small|1:37}}
|Dec 13, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Felt Forum]], [[New York City]], New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title}}
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Tom Franco Thomas
|UD
|10
|Jun 29, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Sonoma County Fairgrounds]], [[Santa Rosa, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Tom Fischer
|UD
|10
|May 9, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Rick Kellar
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|2:47}}
|Apr 9, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, [[Honolulu]], Hawaii, U.S.}}
|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Lupe Guerra
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|0:43}}
|Feb 21, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Cobo Arena]], Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|18
|{{no2}}Loss
|12–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Carlos de León]]
|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}
|6 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|Mar 6, 1983
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Broadway by the Bay Theater]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–3–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jesse Burnett]]
|UD
|12
|Oct 31, 1982
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Great Gorge Resort, [[McAfee, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[list of NABF champions#Cruiserweight|NABF cruiserweight title]]}}
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–3–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Ivy Brown
|UD
|10
|Feb 24, 1982
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Playboy Hotel and Casino]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|15
|{{no2}}Loss
|10–3–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Larry Holmes]]
|TKO
|3 (15), {{small|2:34}}
|[[Larry Holmes vs. Leon Spinks|Jun 12, 1981]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Joe Louis Arena]], [[Detroit]], Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For WBC and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–2–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Bernardo Mercado]]
|TKO
|9 (12), {{small|2:52}}
|[[Muhammad Ali vs. Larry Holmes|Oct 2, 1980]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–2–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Kevin Isaac
|TKO
|8 (10), {{small|2:11}}
|May 3, 1980
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Circle Star Theater]], [[San Carlos, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|12
|{{draw}}Draw
|8–2–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Eddie López
|SD
|10
|Mar 8, 1980
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–2–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Alfredo Evangelista]]
|KO
|5 (10), {{small|2:43}}
|Jan 12, 1980
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Resorts International Casino]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|10
|{{no2}}Loss
|7–2–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Gerrie Coetzee]]
|TKO
|1 (12), {{small|2:03}}
|Jun 24, 1979
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Le Chapiteau de l'Espace, [[Fontvieille, Monaco|Fontvieille]], Monaco}}
|
|-
|9
|{{no2}}Loss
|7–1–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Boxing career of Muhammad Ali|Muhammad Ali]]
|UD
|15
|[[Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali II|Sep 15, 1978]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Louisiana Superdome|Superdome]], [[New Orleans]], Louisiana, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBA and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Boxing career of Muhammad Ali|Muhammad Ali]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|15
|[[Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks|Feb 15, 1978]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Las Vegas Hilton]], [[Winchester, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA]], [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0–1
|style="text-align:left;"|Alfio Righetti
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|10
|Nov 18, 1977
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Caesars Palace]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|6
|{{draw}}Draw
|5–0–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Scott LeDoux]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|10
|Oct 22, 1977
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Bruce Scott
|KO
|3 (8), {{small|3:02}}
|Jun 1, 1977
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Montreal Forum|Forum]], [[Montreal]], Quebec, Canada}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Pedro Agosto
|KO
|1 (8), {{small|1:55}}
|May 7, 1977
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Kiel Auditorium]], [[St. Louis]], Missouri, U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jerry McIntyre
|KO
|1 (6), {{small|0:35}}
|Mar 20, 1977
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Kentucky Exposition Center|Exposition Center]], [[Louisville, Kentucky]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Peter Freeman
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|1 (6), {{small|1:26}}
|Mar 5, 1977
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Liverpool Stadium]], [[Liverpool]], England}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Bob Smith
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|5 (6), {{small|0:20}}
|Jan 15, 1977
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[The Aladdin]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|}

==Titles in boxing==
===Major world titles===
* [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|NBA (WBA) heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)

===''The Ring'' magazine titles===
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)

===Regional/International titles===
* [[list of NABF champions#Cruiserweight|NABF cruiserweight champion]] (200&nbsp;lbs)
* [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] Continental Americas [[heavyweight]] champion (200+&nbsp;lbs) (2×)

===Undisputed titles===
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]

==See also==
*[[List of heavyweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of undisputed world boxing champions]]
*[[List of WBC world champions]]
*[[List of WBC world champions]]
*[[List of The Ring world champions|List of ''The Ring'' world champions]]
*[[Notable boxing families]]
{{Portal bar|Biography}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last1=Florio|first1=John|last2=Shapiro|first2=Ouisie|title= One Punch from the Promised Land: Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, and the Myth of the Heavyweight Title|year=2013 |publisher=Lyons Press |isbn=978-0-7627-8300-7|pages=279}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{BoxRec|id=262}}
* [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/leon.htm Leon Spinks—CBZ Profile]
* {{IMDb name|id=1324325}}
* [https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=8613]
{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sports}} }}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Amateur boxing titles}}
{{s-before|before=D.C. Barker}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States national amateur boxing light heavyweight champions|U.S. light heavyweight champion]]
|years=1974–1976}}
{{s-after|after=Larry Strogen}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[S. T. Gordon]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[list of NABF champions#Cruiserweight|NABF cruiserweight champion]]
|years=October 31, 1982 – May 1984<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=Anthony Davis}}
{{s-break}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[World Boxing Council|WBC]] Continental Americas<br />[[heavyweight]] champion
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{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=Adílson Rodrigues}}
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|years=April 28, 1987 – April 1988<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=Michael Dokes}}
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{{s-bef|rows=4|before=[[Muhammad Ali]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA heavyweight champion]]
|years=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks|February 15, 1978]] – [[Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali II|September 15, 1978]]}}
{{s-aft|after=Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC heavyweight champion]]
|years=February 15, 1978 – March 18, 1978<br />Stripped}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Ken Norton]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight champion]]
|years=February 15, 1978 – September 15, 1978}}
{{s-aft|after=Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]
|years=February 15, 1978 – March 18, 1978<br />Titles fragmented}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Mike Tyson]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Professional wrestling titles}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tarzan Goto]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship|WWA World Martial Arts<br />heavyweight champion]]
|years=March 25, 1992 – May 24, 1992}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Atsushi Onita]]}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-before|before=Muhammad Ali<br />{{small|and}}<br />Joe Frazier}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Sugar Ray Robinson Award#1970s|BWAA Fighter of the Year]]
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{{s-after|after=Ken Norton}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|[[George Foreman]] vs.}}<br />[[Jimmy Young (boxer)|Jimmy Young]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Fight of the Year#1970s|''The Ring'' Fight of the Year]]<br />{{small|vs. Muhammad Ali}}
|years=1978}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|[[Danny Lopez (boxer)|Danny Lopez]] vs.}}<br />Mike Ayala}}
{{s-before|before=[[Jorge Luján]]<br />{{small|KO10 [[Alfonso Zamora]]}} }}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Upset of the Year#1970s|''The Ring'' Upset of the Year]]<br />{{small|SD15 Muhammad Ali}}
|years=1978}}
{{s-after|after=[[Vito Antuofermo]]<br />{{small|SD15 [[Marvin Hagler]]}} }}
{{s-end}}
{{Navboxes|
|list1=
{{Footer USA Boxing 1976 Summer Olympics}}
{{FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Boxing Light Heavyweight}}
{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spinks, Leon}}
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