The American, US Marine Jim McDonald, not the Azumah Nelson one. He gave Michael Spinks all he could handle in one of the most courageous displays this sport has ever seen...got up from like 5 knockdowns before finally Spinks stopped him in dominant fashion in round 8! I wonder whatever became of him!
I saw him fight Michael Moorer for the WBO title around 1990 or so. Macdonald was in poor shape and stopped early. Not sure what he’s up to these days. He was a limited fighter but he certainly had a punch
And courage! Man did he have courage..his fight with Spinks was basically the Hagler-Sibson or Sanchez-Gomez of the Light Heavies, where you knew one guy was not going to win after the 4th or 5th, but he just kept on coming back for more!!
I remember him, more so for the Bobby Czyz fight where he was pummelled but never quit. Just didn´t have it anymore after the Spinks fight. Just read he died: https://www.leafcremation.com/obituaries/james-lloyd-macdonald Nice little footage of life after boxing, includes ko of Willie Edwards which got him his title shot at Spinks: This content is protected RIP Jim MacDonald
Another dementia victim, apparently. Very sad. You tend not to think about any of that when you’re young and watching all of this. You ( and they) are in your prime, young, clueless, and unaffected. The number of former fighters afflicted with this condition is staggering. Makes you wonder at times if any of it is actually worth it.
well, first of all, his name is Jim MacDonald. Thrilling one punch ko of Willie Edwards put him on the map, Gutsy effort against Spinks. I saw that live on syndication on over the air free tv. The Spinks beating used him up pretty much Got one final shot against Bobby Czyz but was destroyed. Very short prime. The form he showed against Spinks he would have been a tough out for the likes of Czyz.
I remember now, back in the day, after the fight, my dad, a U.S. Marine himself too, made the joke that Spinks fought Sears and McDonald, and the fights were promoted by Don King and the entertainment provided by Donna Summers, (its a joke) who'd later get married and be known as Dunkin Donuts.....lol