Thread: Leon Spinks---what happened to him after the Ali fights?

I remember this young energetic whirlwind in the '76 Olympics, whacking out everybody and winning the Gold Medal, alongside SRL, Mike Spinks, Howard Davis and all the other great fighters who were on that '76 team. It was a golden team to say the least.

He turns pro and continues to kick ass, right up until his 1st fight with Ali. Then he surely as hell kicks ass against the aging Ali, I dont think ther's a soul around who wouldnt be impressed with his performance that night in 1978. He fought well, he fought hard, and he showed skills, man. No doubt skills which wouldnt have shown quite so impressively had Ali been 32 rather than 36. Nevertheless, Leon Spinks fought a fantastic fight that night, and it was no lucky punch or anything freakish like that. It was a 15 round stellar performance.

I want to know what the hell happened to this guy afterwards? We know about the cocaine, alcohol, girls, etc. But since when did that stop a fighter with those kiinds of skills? Leon surely wasnt the 1st party animal fighter in history. He goes on to get KTFO a few times, beats Evangelista then gets KO'd by Holmes.

Are we to think that the skills he showed in the Olympics (not any old slob can earn a gold medal) and then again for his 1st 8 fights, and finally there against Ali in the 1st fight, suddenly disappeared? How rather quickly and sadly he faded away after that.

It began to collapse after the first Ali fight. I think booze, drugs, women and late nights have ruined many a young fighter. And remember Leon had o ly had what seven prior fights? In boxing, even more than most sports fitness is required to execute. No fitness? No skills

Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui

It began to collapse after the first Ali fight. I think booze, drugs, women and late nights have ruined many a young fighter. And remember Leon had o ly had what seven prior fights? In boxing, even more than most sports fitness is required to execute. No fitness? No skills

There's your answer

First and foremost, before that fight Leon never had true financial success. Poor Kid from ST. Louis. Started to experience some serious VICES after beating Ali. Women and Cocaine. His skills were good but not great. So after that fight he simply got caught up in the world of drugs and Excesses. Never could truly come back from that. He became King to fast and could not handle it. What he went through helped his brother Michael out so much that words cant even express. Michael Spinxs learned what to stay away from and what not to do. His win against Ali was simply a BLESSING and a CURSE.

Originally Posted by brocktonblockbust

I remember this young energetic whirlwind in the '76 Olympics, whacking out everybody and winning the Gold Medal, alongside SRL, Mike Spinks, Howard Davis and all the other great fighters who were on that '76 team. It was a golden team to say the least.

He turns pro and continues to kick ass, right up until his 1st fight with Ali. Then he surely as hell kicks ass against the aging Ali, I dont think ther's a soul around who wouldnt be impressed with his performance that night in 1978. He fought well, he fought hard, and he showed skills, man. No doubt skills which wouldnt have shown quite so impressively had Ali been 32 rather than 36. Nevertheless, Leon Spinks fought a fantastic fight that night, and it was no lucky punch or anything freakish like that. It was a 15 round stellar performance.

I want to know what the hell happened to this guy afterwards? We know about the cocaine, alcohol, girls, etc. But since when did that stop a fighter with those kiinds of skills? Leon surely wasnt the 1st party animal fighter in history. He goes on to get KTFO a few times, beats Evangelista then gets KO'd by Holmes.

Are we to think that the skills he showed in the Olympics (not any old slob can earn a gold medal) and then again for his 1st 8 fights, and finally there against Ali in the 1st fight, suddenly disappeared? How rather quickly and sadly he faded away after that.

and the vices of success unfortunately.

Partying. With every vices that come with it when you have money and are popular.