Spinks Brothers...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Charles White, Feb 4, 2009.


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  1. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    I haven't seen too many fights of either Spinks brother, so I was wondering, who the better Spinks was overall. Leon won against an ancient past his best Ali, so I wouldn't really consider it as monumental as it sounds. Michael beat Larry Holmes twice albeit controversially. He also knocked out Gerry Cooney. I would have to go with Michael easily, but as I said, I have not seen enough footage of either to back this up. Am I correct in assuming that Michael was the better of the two Spinks brothers?
     
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    #1
  2. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    At heavyweight of course...
     
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
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  3. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    Michael was the 50x better fighter and a better HW, too.
     
    Muchmoore, Feb 4, 2009
    Muchmoore, Feb 4, 2009
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  4. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    cool. That's what I thought.
     
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
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  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Talent and potential wise, both men were very gifted. Michael however developed his full capabilities and stayed on a strait and narrow path, whereas Leon of course didn't. For that reason, I have to rate Michael as the better of the two Spinks's.
     
    mr. magoo, Feb 4, 2009
    mr. magoo, Feb 4, 2009
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  6. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    What else did Leon accomplish other than the win over old Ali?
     
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
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  7. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    Ok, just did the thing I should have done before making a thread and checked boxrec. Damn, what the hell is Leon's story? He lost to nobodys. I heard he got into cocaine or something like that. Is this the reason why he sucked ass throughout the second half of his career?
     
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    #7
  8. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Exactly.

    Michael goes down as better, but both looked to have roughly equal potential and both were about equally well regarded at one point in their careers.
     
    My2Sense, Feb 4, 2009
    My2Sense, Feb 4, 2009
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  9. heehoo

    heehoo TIMEXICAH! Full Member

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    Michael was definitely the better of the two.

    [yt]E0nN09qB7zg[/yt]

    Yes, Leon did beat Ali, and won the undisputed title,but he was nowehere near Michael, talent-wise.

    However, this fight is the fight I remember Leon best... getting blown out in brutal fashion by South Africa's Gerrie Coetzee.

    [yt]Sw5h7ExGcoo[/yt]
     
    heehoo, Feb 4, 2009
    heehoo, Feb 4, 2009
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  10. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Yes, that is correct. Leon Spinks was a fighter who Bob Arum said was just plain out of control. He was well restrained for his amateur and early pro career, but after the Ali fights, he basically allowed himself to slide on a downward spiral. He neglected to train for various fights, was regularly using drugs, and squandered his entire earnings. I have read over the years of him working at verious menial jobs. About 10 years ago, he was employed for a service company called labor world - which basically if you needed a refrigerator or something moved, youd call over one of their guys ( Leon ), and he'd move it for you. A few months ago, I read that he was working for McDonald's. Its a very sad story.
     
    mr. magoo, Feb 4, 2009
    mr. magoo, Feb 4, 2009
    #10
  11. MrMarvel

    MrMarvel Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Leon caught Ali at the end of his career. Michael was better all around and even at heavyweight.
     
    MrMarvel, Feb 4, 2009
    MrMarvel, Feb 4, 2009
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  12. leverage

    leverage Active Member Full Member

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    Micheal was a smart, disciplined fighter, leon was a dumb, undiscipline fighter.
     
    leverage, Feb 4, 2009
    leverage, Feb 4, 2009
    #12
  13. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    I read something similar. He was working as a janitor correct? Sad sad stuff. What a waste. I heard that Michael invested well and is doing great. Anybody know if him and Leon are close?
     
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    #13
  14. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    Michael Spinks is an ATG. Leon Spinks had talent, but he was a headcase. He beat an old Ali, a couple of contenders in the early 80s, but didn't do much else of note. I cringe at the beating he took from Qawi.

    I don't know what goes on in their family, but damn, I think Michael is still rich and you'd wish Leon wouldn't be in such a bad predicament.
     
    Thread Stealer, Feb 4, 2009
    Thread Stealer, Feb 4, 2009
    #14
  15. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    Yep. Just checked it out and apparently Michael is still very wealthy. I wonder what the family story is? Anybody? I just think that if I was rich and close to my poor brother, I'd help him out. But who knows, there is always more to this than is originally apparent.
     
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    Charles White, Feb 4, 2009
    #15
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