Michael Spinks turned professional with a win over Eddie Benson, knocked out in one round on April 17, 1977 in Las Vegas. With that, Spinks began a 31 fight winning streak that would almost extend to the end of his career. After four more wins, Spinks finished '77 with the first fight that began a gradual ascent in opposition quality: an eight-round decision over Gary Summerhays, a popular young boxer of the time. In 1978, Spinks won two fights, including an eight-round decision over former world Middleweight title challenger Tom Bethea, in the same undercard where his brother Leon dethroned Ali as
Spinks Akromaster team. Hillard placed third in the 1970 world aerobatic championships with the aircraft. Spinks Akromaster The Spinks Akromaster is an aerobatic aircraft that was designed by Charlie Hillard. "Pappy" Spinks provided the funding and name to Charlie Hillard for the creation of the Akromaster. The Akromaster is a single-seat, low-wing, monoplane with conventional landing gear and a symmetrical airfoil. It features inverted fuel and oil systems and an air show smoke system. During certification testing of the cabin version of the Akromaster, aerobatic pilot Harold Krier was unable to recover from a flat spin and died due to a parachute