Leon Spinks the distinction until the Klitschko brothers became champions two decades later. In the 1980s Leon Spinks competed in several boxer vs. wrestler matches in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), including losing by submission to Antonio Inoki. In 1986 Spinks earned his last championship opportunity, fighting Dwight Muhammad Qawi for the WBA cruiserweight championship. Qawi had been defeated by Michael Spinks three years earlier for his WBC light heavyweight championship. However, Leon Spinks lost by TKO in the sixth round. During the fight, Qawi taunted Spinks as he beat him mercilessly in a corner. Spinks boxed for another eight years with mixed
John Spinks (musician) felt was a stupid name on the demos," said Spinks, "and the people I took them to said, `Sounds great. Can we see the band?` And there wasn't really a band." Spinks joined together with Lewis and Jackman to perform as Baseball Boys, and then changed their named to The Outfield in 1984. Their debut album, "Play Deep", became a multiplatinum-selling smash upon release in 1985. Spinks wrote the band's biggest hit, "Your Love", which reached the top 10 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 in 1986. The Outfield went on hiatus in the 1990s but reconvened to record "Replay" in