Where are they now ?

**Beanz** · 08-27-2015 06:59 PM

Thread for updates and stories on retired fighters. Easily forgotten and often badly damaged by the sport we all love, the financial consequences of greedy promoters and/or poor management, financial advice and the march of time.

Leon Spinks

As Leon Spinks struggles with health woes, wife Brenda is always in his corner | Boxingjunkie

"LAS VEGAS — Leon Spinks sat in the front seat of a car that looked overmatched by the Nevada desert.
The air conditioner was broken. The transmission was slipping. The ignition switch was about to lock.
But while the temperature outside climbed toward 100 degrees and hot air rushed in through the rolled-down windows, the 2004 Honda Accord gamely motored on. Spinks, 62, whose victory against Muhammad Ali in 1978 made him boxing’s heavyweight champion of the world, rode in silence for almost half an hour before he finally spoke.
“Where are we going?” he said.
The blond-haired woman behind the wheel looked surprised. Over the last six months, she and Spinks had made this trip together dozens of times.
A few minutes later, they pulled up to the Veterans Administration’s Southern Nevada Healthcare System.
“Hey, Champ,” a hospital worker said as he opened the car’s passenger-side door for Spinks, who flashed his signature grin — no longer gap-toothed, provided he’s wearing his false teeth.
Wearing a less famous smile, the blond-haired driver pulled a walker from the car trunk and set it in front of the retired boxer. Spinks, who served in the Marines from 1973 to 1976 and has used VA services for about a decade, situated himself. Then, ever so slowly, he made his way toward the building where last year the medical staff feared Spinks might die. ........................................."

full article here - As Leon Spinks struggles with health woes, wife Brenda is always in his corner | Boxingjunkie

**SlimTrae** · 08-27-2015 08:27 PM

Another 70s fighter close to the end. Sorry to hear his memory is fading. 2nd time we met, i was thrilled to see he remembered me.
As soon as he finished signing an autograph, we embraced.
Brenda was a bit nervous as the last time we were together we drank more than (he) should have.

The last thing we talked about was the marines. I told him i joined the marines for the dress blues.
He responded..you joined cause u a fool?
I repeated myself...at first he thought i couldn't understand him,,, i said look champ... i stood up from the bar chair...face to face
I said...I LOOK good in my dress blues.
Serious!!!
He stood up now we're in a stare down.
He said I look good in my dress blues.
I said...awww shit i done started something..c'mon Leon lets have another drink.
Leon laughingly said "i can drink to that"
Took a couple of photos, then i hung out with Bert Sugar, Ken Norton & Michael Carbajal.
Leon is cool.