how did Leon Spinx ever get a title shot vs Cassius Clay with only 7 fights

washed up is a bit far. The man clearly had elite attributes left in him, and could have legit held a lesser title like the 90s wbo without trouble.

I dont think Ali is a man to throw a fight. He just didnt know when to quit, and he never threw a fight in his life. Spinks was not terrible, and was like Tyson fury a prospect, so no not deserving of a title shot, but hardly irrelevant.



It was an intriguing match up on paper with historic value if little else in the event.

 

Here's Ring's ratings from the three issues prior to the Ali-Spinks fight. Note that Righetti was ranked 7th prior to Leon beating him in their 'elimination bout'. Interesting that Spinks was actually rated behind future opponent and former Ali victim Alfredo Evangelista going into his title fight.

The Ring - January 1978
(as of November ?, 1977)

World Champion:
Muhammad Ali
1. Ken Norton
2. Jimmy Young
3. Larry Holmes
4. Ron Lyle
5. Duane Bobick
6. Earnie Shavers
7. Alfio Righetti
8. Kallie Knoetze
9. Alfredo Evangelista
10. Johnny Boudreaux

The Ring - February 1978
(as of December ?, 1977)

World Champion:
Muhammad Ali
1. Ken Norton
2. Jimmy Young
3. Larry Holmes
4. Ron Lyle
5. Duane Bobick
6. Earnie Shavers
7. Kallie Knoetze
8. Alfredo Evangelista
9. Leon Spinks
10. Gerrie Coetzee

The Ring - March 1978
(as of December 31, 1977?)
“1977 Official World Ratings”

World Champion:
Muhammad Ali

Group 1
1. Ken Norton

Group 2
1. Jimmy Young
2. Larry Holmes
3. Ron Lyle
4. Duane Bobick
5. Earnie Shavers
6. Kallie Knoetzee
7. Alfredo Evangelista
8. Leon Spinks
9. Gerrie Coetzee

Group 3
1. George Foreman (retired)
2. Alfio Righetti
3. Joe Bugner
4. Randy Stephens
5. Leroy Jones
6. Stan Ward
7. Johnny Boudreaux

"Cassius Clay"?????

 

Ali originally wanted a rematch with Tunney Hunsaker, but he wasn't available, so Spinks got the call.

 

Ali was 36 years old and had just had a bruising fight with Shavers, he was looking for an easy one.
F*ck me ,Wilder fights Arreola and that's fine.atsch

 

No, it's not fine.

 

Spinks clearly had some talent, but was ultimately a bit small for the HW division.

 

Thanks. I thought I had gone back in time . . .

 

There was talk about a fight or exhibition with Floyd Patterson.
Ali looked terrible in prior fights, they knew he had slid.

 

how come u dont feel massively embarrassed writing that?

 

its true that by this age ali, with early onset Parkies, was basically only capable of holding a 90s wbo title that for instance, prime Klitschko held whilst hiding from the real champion Lennox (although prime KLitshcko then lost it to a middleweight moving up, and the other to a 37 year old previous failed contender, I believe).

 

Spinks caused a sensation during the Olympics with his ko wins and all out style. Many wanted to see Leon fight Ali on the strength of these amateur performances.

 

Ali lost his bout with Spinks because as typical for him in overmatched bouts he did not train properly. His tactic was to throw away many of the early rounds letting Spinks pound away as he covered up with the idea he would come on late to stop his exhausted challenger. Problem was Spinks did not tire. Ali tried for the ko late but Spinks surged. The idea that Ali purposefully threw this bout is hogwash.

Patterson lost a decision to Ellis in a bout many saw him winning. The official decision however is official and final.

 

He was way washed up when he fought Spinks....

 

he'd just beaten shavers, by a slim margin.

not totaly.