Leon Spinks

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Muchmoore, Sep 15, 2009.


  1. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    Anyone think his fight with Holmes is an under rated fight?

    Spinks looked pretty good here, and put up a good fight against a prime Holmes. He was landing early on him and Holmes was in full puncher mode for this like he often was despite not having very much power and it resulted in being an intense 3 round battle in which Spinks ultimately fell.

    Leon could of been something more if he had his brother's brain. He got his title shot at the right time, he was going to fall apart soon if he was given more time. All things considered, being champion in under 10 fights is more than impressive enough. Anyone think that Leon at his very best is better than given credit for?
     
  2. frankenfrank

    frankenfrank Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    why less than 10 fights matters that much ? what does beating perdomo's hausler's and sartison's prove ?
    he just didn't waste his time and health that's all.
    a ripe for an upset muhammad ali.
    spinks himslef was fresh then.
     
  3. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    Becayse winning the Heavyweight Championship with only 7 fights is unequaled throughout boxing history. Spinks had no time to develop to the pro game but still became champ.

    Was Ali out of shape? Yes, but still a tremendous win because of the history.
     
  4. MRBILL

    MRBILL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I have it on file..... I saw it live on regular TV in '81......... No Cable or PPV bull****... It didn't last long enough to have a legacy or fond memories..... Spinks came out fast and got to Holmes early while Holmes' motor was still a little cold... But come the third round, Holmes was warmed up and putting some ass whup on Spinks........... Holmes closed the show in round 3 by dropping and stopping Spinks in the corner......... Richard Steele was the ref in charge of the stoppage........ A good call by Steele..........

    MR.BILL
     
  5. JudgeDredd

    JudgeDredd Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yeah with more discipline he could've really been something, had great potential.
     
  6. frankenfrank

    frankenfrank Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    that numerical historical detail is not so much important.
    see my first post in this thread for the reason why.
    it was a wise decision of spinks to take that opurtunity.
    i still didn't claim anything here about him as a fighter.
     
  7. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    His win over Mercado is one of the best things on his resume. Mercado was the top contender for the WBC I believe and Spinks took him out in the 9th.

    Been wanting to see this fight for a while, from what I've read Spinks absorbed a beating in the early rounds but survived. Mercado was good.
     
  8. TheGreatA

    TheGreatA Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It may be that winning the title as early as he did actually worked against his boxing career.

    Spinks wasn't as bad as he is often made out to be. Prior to challenging Larry Holmes, he had KO'd Bernardo Mercado and Alfredo Evangelista who were decent contenders.

    Against Ali he showed a lot of will even if he lacked ability and experience.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb5VHzX_qoA

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71GZErrslMY

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X6U4lWfXUQ

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu9zqiUUAG8
     
  9. JudgeDredd

    JudgeDredd Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Quite possibly yeah.
     
  10. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    The thing is though, Leon was crazy. If he didn't get that title shot early on, he was going to implode and beat himself imo and never even be in the position to rightfully challenge for the title. No way could he of kept it together for a significant amount of time.
     
  11. TheGreatA

    TheGreatA Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You could be right but I think being at the top of the world at such an early stage of his boxing career must have atleast fastened the process of his eventual implosion. :good

    Either way, he was able to achieve a gold medal at the Olympics and the heavyweight championship of the world. I've never understood those who say he was talentless, he must have had something.
     
  12. patscorpio

    patscorpio Active Member Full Member

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    this is prolly the best fight of his career outside of the ali win..the fight was on some david vs goliath ****....leon just took him apart in the 9th
     
  13. patscorpio

    patscorpio Active Member Full Member

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    he had a lot of things except discipline and common sense
     
  14. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Yes, I have always felt that it was a very good performance over a decent opponent. For whatever its worth, Leon Spinks was an olympic gold medalist and a former lineal champion. He was still in his late 20's when he fought Holmes and had a few good wins. Calling him a 12 fight novice is deceiving to some extent. In either case, Holmes looked very sharp in that performance.
     
  15. Rebel-INS

    Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy Full Member

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    Holmes was scary when he had someone hurt. Every shot was thrown with bad intentions and he always looked like he wanted to kill his opponent.