Michael Spinks vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi set for September 27 of 1984, but it was cancelled after Qawi was injured during training, three weeks before the fight. Spinks went on to become the first world light heavyweight champion in boxing history to go up in weight and win the world heavyweight title. Qawi, for his part, went up to the cruiserweight division, where he reigned as WBA world champion from 1985 to 1986. Both fighters are now members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Confirmed bouts: Michael Spinks vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi Michael Spinks vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi, billed as "The Brawl for it All",
Tommy Spinks Spinks was selected in the 1970 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and played professionally during the early 1970s. However, he is not included on the Vikings' web site listing of past players. Spinks was inducted into the Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. Spinks was the son of Methodist minister Otis Spinks (1900–1987) and Grace Spinks (1915–2003), who were living in Ruston, the location of Louisiana Tech, at the time of their deaths. The senior Spinkses are interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park off U.S. Highway 80 West in Ruston. Spinks graduated in 1966 from Woodlawn