Leon Spinks ~ "The Road To Muhammad Ali"

[Bill Paxtom]

Leon Spinks

As soon as Leon won the 'Gold Medal' at the 1976 Olympics {July 1976}, many
Fight Promoters were lining up to lock Leon up in a Fight Contract.

But, Leon wanted to continue in the U.S. Marines and serve until July 1977 to
earn the rank of Sargeant.

Butch Lewis, who was a Vice President with Top Rank {Bob Arum} tried to secure
a Fight Contract with Leon.

The Plan >

To line up a 10-Round bout between Cuban Heavyweight - Teofilio Stevenson and Leon,
and to be set-up at a 'Neutral-Site' with the bout to be broadcast by CBS-TV.

The bout was to be held in Kingston, Jamaica.

Top Rank said that they would pay the Cuban Government $1,000,000 as a 'special fee',
so that Teofilio Stevenson could maintain his Amateur status, as no money would go to him
directly.

The deal, was to ask the U.S. Military for a 'special provision' to allow for Leon to fight
while still serving as a U.S. Marine at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Leon was to be paid 'handsomely' for his Professional Debut in a 10-Round Bout, and would
receive a Fight Purse of $125,000.

The U.S. Military did approve the request. But Premier Fidel Castro of Cuba said he was
not interested in the match.