Did anybody see any of Leon fights from this time period? Did Leon have any fights that weren't recorded on boxrec?
Just after the fact on tape. I listened to Howard Stern back then, and he regularly had Leon on. Leon never spoke well, but Leon had zero business in a boxing ring or even sparring at that point. His head was all messed up. My youngest daughters used to have day care performances at the Union Hall in Countryside, Illinois. I can't believe Leon Spinks fought there a couple times in the 90s. Here's an article by the guy who handled him at the time he fought John Carlo. https://deadspin.com/why-i-fixed-fights-1535114232
Just read the Spinks brothers book Leon couldn't knockout a glass jawed tomato can named Andre Crowder and lost to James Wilder who was 2-34-1.
Spinks was trying to emulate Foreman’s lucrative comeback (as were a number of 70’s hwts). I watched Spinks all through the 76 Olympics and he and his brother were my favorites. Michael had the style, skill, and finesse of a great fighter whereas Leon never progressed after beating Ali. Instead he regressed. Last I heard he was working as a janitor at a McDonalds in some nondescript US town. Such a sad situation for a fighter once hwt champion of the world.
I saw one of his last fights in St Louis around the mid 90's. He was obviously shot and the promoter put him in against a very beatable opponent. I met him a couple of times throughout the years and he was always friendly. It's a shame how that he ended up broke and had to fight on well past his prime. Unfortunately it happens all to often in this sport.
Good article. I'm surprised Farrell told all of the "secrets" that he did. When he told about taking fighters to N.C. to get wins, the funny part is that the show promoter will put all of the winners in one locker room and corner and all of the losers in the other and almost nobody in the crowd will notice or care. Thanks for the article.
I've gone to local cards where all the losers on the undercard get in one van and head back home. They all showed up together and they all left together. It's pretty obvious if people are paying attention.
Leon was completely shot by the end of 1986, so if he fought in the 90s it was so far under the radar I don't .remember it.
i watched Spinks v Cobb not long back and thought it was an ok fight. Granted, they were both past it but at least they weren't in there with young killers
I hope it's paid off. A lot was written about how Butch Lewis took care of Michael Spinks. Spinks just gave all his money ($20+ million) to Butch, who would "invest" it and pay Spinks' bills and give him a couple thousand a month to spend. When Lewis died, Lewis' kids decided Spinks' money was Butch Lewis' money and told Spinks he wouldn't be getting any more money because it was their inheritance. Spinks sued the estate. Never heard how it turned out.
I admire Leon, he had/has an amazing life, with dizzy heights and horrendous lows that most of us will never come close to experiencing. His 90s career, although far from stellar was OK for what was a 40+ year old has been. I am little surprised he did not develop his pro wrestling career further. He had a name that got a foot in the door, and although physical, it still had to be easier and better paid than carrying on the pro career. But as mentioned, I guess what Big George did, kept the dream alive for Messrs Spinks, Shavers, Lyle et al.