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
Michael Ponce de Leon workshops in Yugoslavia. Pakistan, India, and Spain under sponsorship of the U.S. State Department, Mr. Ponce de Leon works are in the Library of Congress; The National Gallery (Washington D.C.); The White House; The Museum of Modern Art; Metropolitan Museum of Art; The New York Public Library;Smithsonian American Art Museum The Brooklyn Museum The Musee de l’Arte Moderne in Paris; The Victoria and Albert Museum in London; The Stockholm Art Museum; Museo de Arte Moderno en Mexico; as well U.S. Embassies around the world. He was represented in the Venice Biennale, 1970. Michael Ponce de Leon Michael Ponce de Leon