Darrell Spinks Darrell Spinks Darrell Spinks (born July 24, 1973) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.) is an American former professional boxer. Spinks was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, one of three sons his father Leon Spinks had with Zadie Mae Calvin (whom he never married). Darrell had a total of 4 siblings. His older brother Leon Calvin was shot to death in 1990. Darrell Spinks is the son of former heavyweight champion of the world Leon Spinks and the nephew of former light heavyweight and heavyweight world champion Michael Spinks. Darrell's younger brother Cory Spinks is a former welterweight champion. Spinks won his
Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks and then successfully defended his title against Steffen Tangstad. Instead of defending his IBF title against top contender Tony Tucker, Spinks elected to take a more lucrative fight with former contender Gerry Cooney, who had fought three times in five years, in June 1987. The IBF responded by stripping Spinks of the title, but he was still in possession of the lineal and "Ring" titles and was considered by many to still be the rightful champion. Mike Tyson turned professional in 1985 and won his first 19 fights by knockout, quickly garnering media attention and establishing an "aura of invincibility".