Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks fight in boxing history, grossing some $70 million, of which Tyson earned a record purse of around $20 million and Spinks $13.5 million. Tyson won the fight, knocking out Spinks in 91 seconds. Michael Spinks became a professional boxer shortly after he won the gold medal at middleweight in the 1976 Summer Olympics. Initially, Spinks was more concerned with assisting his brother Leon's rise to the heavyweight championship, but was later convinced to turn pro himself. In 1981 Spinks fought Eddie Mustafa Muhammad for the WBA light heavyweight championship and defeated him by decision to win his first world title.
Tommy Spinks High School in Shreveport, where he also played football with Bradshaw and under the assistant coach A. L. Williams. It was often said that Bradshaw threw the passes that only Spinks could catch. Spinks was the president of Quest IV Health Products, Inc., in Arlington, Texas, a firm which offers VitaMan and VitaWoman vitamins. He also published the magazine "Millionaire Blueprints". Spinks was diagnosed with cancer in May 2007 and died three months later at his home in Arlington. A memorial service was held on September 4, 2007 at his home church, St. Barnabas United Methodist Church in Arlington. Survivors