Who is dissatisfied with the Leon Spinks tributes that came out?

I actually feel like most of the tributes were pretty good especially the words from fellow fighter's of his era like Holmes. I have said this before but I don't see Leon as a disappointment or an underachiever. I see him as a guy that came from one of the worst ghettos in the US that ended up winning Olympic gold in the toughest of era's and a heavyweight title against one of the Greatest fighter's ever. He certainly achieved more than most in life especially considering where he started and the fact that he battled substance abuse issues for most of his life. Leon won.

 

Leon was no ATG in the ring, but he most certainly had an ATG story to tell.
-RIP

 

I'd agree Leon's rags to riches to rags back to relative riches aspect of the story alone deserved greater tribute.

In the ring....Im sure all of you have seen this before....I thought it was the best tribute...the music and clips sort of epitomise Leon's career

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I think Leon was honored fairly.

As an athlete, he is notable for two things: beating Ali and winning Olympic gold.

A complete career analysis would be something a boxing publication might choose to do, but the New York Times or ESPN aren’t going to dissect his best wins and losses because, frankly, most people don’t care. They remember him representing his country and winning gold and being the man who beat the man (even though he lost the rematch).

As a man, I saw mentions of his service as a Marine and the fact that he liked to party. I don’t recall any major scandals — I mean he made the news from time to time for drunk driving and whatnot, but he never did anything shockingly disgraceful.

When someone dies, people tend to like to remember their high points and what was good about them rather their failings unless they were a murderer or noted felon.

I thought Holmes had the best tribute in his tweet: “You gave me a hell of a fight but you were a good guy. You lived your life the way you wanted and it was a good one. I pray you Rest In Peace.” I couldn’t ask for anything better to be said for me when it’s my time.

 

Larry must've softened on Leon over the years. Before the Holmes-Leon Spinks fight, Leon said something to Larry's wife at one of the final press conferences that sent Larry over the edge. Larry wanted to kill him that night. And he pretty much beat Leon like you'd beat a guy who insulted your wife. (LOL)

I saw this earlier. It was a nice snapshot of Leon (and Michael) Spinks from the early to mid 80s. The first half of the video is just after Michael won the light heavy title and Leon had moved to cruiserweight to start his run there. It's interesting to see the two brothers sit together and be interviewed. They couldn't have been less alike. But when they smiled you could really see the family resemblance.

Also notice Leon looks all dressed up. That is explained in the second half of the video when Leon returns in 1985 and David Letterman (the host) asks about the limo they gave Leon and Michael the last time they were on.

I wonder if Michael went with him on that adventure in the big city? (LOL)

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He wasn't high in the second interview. (LOL) As is mentioned in the interview, he had a hard time getting there for the first interview. Then he left the studio in a limo (they taped around 5 p.m.) and was out until 10:30 the next morning.

His partying peaked in the early 80s. The description of how they found him right before his fight with Qawi (in the book on the Spinks brothers 'One Punch From the Promised Land') is pretty wild.

 

The only reason he held the heavyweight championship was because he fought a literal dementia patient.

 

It shook me how Ali had the chin to walk down Earnie Shavers even when he should morally have been forbidden to box.

 

Terrible post. Their first fight was a 15-round classic. In fact, the 15th round of their first fight was the freaking Round of the Year in 1978.

Many fighters today couldn't go 15, let alone throw the number of punches BOTH guys threw and landed an HOUR into the fight.

 

boxing tributes are not what they should be. to get any play you must be related to the Kardashians

 

I admit I didn't pay too much attention to the tributes. The one I was really happy to see was from the Marines to Corporal Leon Spinks.

 

Late reply but here it is. The 2 I liked were from 2 ATG heavyweight champions. Larry Holmes said He didn’t always like Leon but people should pray for him especially other fighters. Leon always came to fight. Not sure this was after Leon’s passing or when he was in hospital but it says a lot an Holmes. The other tribute came from George Foreman. Leon never stopped smiling. Even when things were really bad for him he always had that smile.