In 1985, Hall of Fame boxer Michael Spinks became the first light-heavyweight champion to also win the heavyweight title.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 13, 1956, Michael Spinks won the middleweight gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. As a professional, Spinks became one of boxing’s greatest light-heavyweight fighters of all time, winning the belt in 1981. In 1985, he made history when he beat Larry Holmes for the heavyweight crown, the first light-heavyweight ever to win the belt. Spinks retired in 1988 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.
Following the Olympics, Spinks went professional. Packing a devastating right hand dubbed the “Spinks Jinx,” the young fighter quickly climbed the ranks of the light-heavyweight division.
In 1981, after a series of big victories, Spinks decisioned champ Eddie Mustafa Muhammad to win the World Boxing Association title, and two years later he captured the World Boxing Commission crown to become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion.
In a surprising move, Spinks then jumped to the heavyweight division in an attempt to become the first light-heavyweight champ to also secure the heavyweight belt. In 1985 he got his title shot and notched a victory over the heavily favored International Boxing Federation champion, Larry Holmes. At the time, Holmes was 48-0 and just one win shy of tying Rocky Marciano’s undefeated record. Seven months later Spinks validated the title win with a second defeat of Holmes.
After losing his title in 1987, Spinks stepped into the ring against undefeated and undisputed heavyweight champ, Mike Tyson, in 1988. Spinks suffered a punishing loss, getting knocked out just 91 seconds into the contest. It was Spinks’s first and only professional defeat. Immediately following the bout, Spinks announced his retirement.
Spinks finished his career with a 31-1 record, with 21 knockout victories. In 1994 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
We had the pleasure of meeting Michael Spinks in New York City ,where he was celebrating his 61st Birthday with his Brother Leon Spinks , Former Heavyweight Boxing Champions who was one of the boxers to beat Muhammad Ali and also birthday party for ILYASAH SHABAZZ ,Daughter of Malcolm X,see more in our World Liberty TV ,by Clicking here.
