Leon Spinks Leon Spinks Leon Spinks (born July 11, 1953) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. In only his eighth professional fight, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali in a split decision, in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Spinks was later stripped of the WBC title for facing Ali in an unapproved rematch seven months later, which he lost by unanimous decision. Besides being heavyweight champion and his characteristic gap-toothed grin (due to losing two and later all four of his front teeth), Spinks
Michael Spinks defense to resume his assault. Qawi's best moments were accidentally stepping on Spinks' foot in round eight (apparently this was officially scored a knockdown by the judges) and a few "too little, too late" bombs in round 14. The official scores of 144-140, 144-141 and 144-141 surely reflected a mis-scored rd. 8 "knockdown" as Spinks realistically only surrendered 2 possible rounds (1 and 14). He defended the title one more time before the end of the year, against Oscar Rivadeneira in Alaska, whom he beat by a ten-round knockout. Spinks fought only once in 1984, retaining his crown with a