Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks was the World Boxing Council professional boxing match contested on February 15, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship. After his unanimous decision victory against Earnie Shavers, Muhammad Ali decided to face 1976 Olympic Gold medalist Leon Spinks, knowing that he'd have to face Ken Norton for the fourth time or lose his WBC belt, after the No 1 ranked Norton beat No 2 ranked Jimmy Young in a title eliminator in November 1977. The 10–1 underdog Spinks ended up winning two of the scorecards 145–140 and
Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks in "two to three rounds". Former world champions Jake LaMotta and Billy Conn and trainers Gil Clancy, Angelo Dundee and Richie Giachetti all picked Tyson to win by knockout, as did Gerry Cooney and Dan Duva. Ray Arcel thought Tyson would win on points. IBF middleweight champion Frank Tate gave Tyson the edge, while trainer Lou Duva felt that Tyson would ultimately have too much power for Spinks. James Smith, who had lost a decision to Tyson the previous year, said that for Spinks to win he would "need to take me in the ring with him." Emmanuel Steward's prediction