Leon Spinks ~ "The Road To Muhammad Ali"

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ March 20, 1977

Exposition Center ~ Louisville, Kentucky

Television Broadcast ~ CBS-TV

Promoter > Bill King {Mayor's Sports Commission}

Leon Spinks ~ 2-0-0 {2 KO's} ~ 195 lbs. ~ 6' 1" ~ {Age; 23 years, 8 months}
vs.
Jerry McIntyre ~ 5-2-0 {2 KO's} ~ 232 lbs. ~ 6' 2" ~ {Age; 24 years, 8 months}

Fight Purses
* Leon Spinks ....... { $10,000 } + Travel Expenses and amenities.
* Jerry McIntyre ......... { $900} + One Round-Trip airline ticket from Dallas, Texas to Louisville, Kentucky and amenities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Leon had been training with 'veteran Heavyweight - Roy 'Tiger' Williams at
Joe Frazier's Gym in Philadelphia for the past 2-Weeks in preparation for this bout.

As of Thursday ~ February 17th, there was no opponent yet for Leon's 3rd-Bout.

Late Thursday, Promoter - Bill King found Jerry McIntyre, a big Heavyweight out of
Kileen, Texas who was both available and willing to travel North to Kentucky.

McIntyre, had a listed record of 5-2-0 {4 KO's}, but had been stopped {KO'd} in the
1st-Round in both of his losses.

His '5' wins were over 'no-nothing' Preliminary fighters.

Barry Frank {President of CBS Sports} was 'skeptical' at first in putting this opponent
on Television against Leon, but there were no other Heavyweights available that were
approved by Butch Lewis and Top Rank.

The '1st' opponent offered-up was Rodell Dupree, who was turned down by the
Spinks Camp.

Other Bouts On The Fight Card
* Howard Davis Jr. vs. Rick Craney
* Gerry Cooney vs., Jose Rosario
* Roy 'Tiger' Williams vs. Harold Carter
* Lee Canalito vs. Bill 'TNT' Jackson

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ March 20, 1977

Exposition Center ~ Louisville, Kentucky

~ Leon Spinks Smashes McIntyre In 35-Seconds ~

~ Spinks Bombs Out Texan In 35-Seconds ~

Leon Spinks {195 lbs.} made easy work of Texan - Jerry McIntyre {232 lbs.}
in just 35 Seconds of the 1st-Round.

At the Opening Bell, Spinks charged across the Ring and bombarded the unsuspecting
McIntyre with both fists flying.

McIntyre attempted to grab the 23 1/2 year-old Spinks, but his gloves slipped off the
1976 Olympian's shoulders.

With an opening, Leon landed a 'crushing' right-hand into McIntyre's head dropping,
him to the canvas at the 25-Second mark.

10-Seconds later, the Referee counted the big Texan out.

Leon Spinks received a Fight Purse of { $10,000 } for his 3rd win.

Jerry McIntyre received a Fight Purse of { $900 }.

'The Skinny'

Leon had a bout scheduled in Paris, France for mid-April. But in early-April the bout was cancelled.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ May 7, 1977

Kiel Auditorium ~ St. Louis, Missouri

Television Broadcast ~ CBS-TV

Leon Spinks ~ 3-0-0 {3 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 198 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 10 months}
vs.
Pedro Agosto ~ 28-8-1 {22 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 202 lbs. ~ {Age; 31 years, 8 months}

Scheduled for 8-Rounds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Leon will have his sternest test here. The word is, that the Spinks Camp is over-stepping here by
putting Leon in with an experienced guy like the Puerto Rican - Pedro Agosto.

But, Trainer - Sam Solomon has had Leon sparring with Roy 'Tiger' Williams for the past 4-Weeks,
and Leon has been looking good.

Pedro Agosto is in a 'no-lose' situation. He is coming off a loss {L TKO 4} to former Champion
George Foreman on January 22, 1977.

Fight Purses
* Leon Spinks ..... { $20,000 } + $2000 in 'up front' Training Expenses, Travel Expenses and amenities.
* Pedro Agosto ... { $12,000 } + Travel Expenses from New Jersey to Missouri, and amenities.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ May 7, 1977

Kiel Auditorium ~ St. Louis, Missouri

~ Leon Spinks Scores Knockout ~

~ Agosto Falls To Leon Spinks ~

[B][/ ~ Leon Spinks KO's Agosto ~B]

Leon Spinks {198 lbs.} spent the first 90-Seconds of the Opening Round lightly-sparring
with the 31 1/2 year-old veteran Pedro Agosto {202 lbs.}.

Leon did 'nail' Pedro with a hard left-hook, but Pedro shook off the punch and forced Leon
backwards to the Ropes at the {1:30 Mark}.

Leon then looked toward his Corner for instructions, and Sam Solomon yelled;
"Work the body Leon, work the body."

Then suddenly, Leon skipped off the Ropes and delivered a right-uppercut, and '2' jolting
left-hooks to Pedro's jaw, followed by a battery-of-punches. Then Leon came back with
a 'vicious' left-hook to the jaw.

Pedro collapsed on his back, and slammed the back of his head on the canvas. Pedro struggled
to his knee's at the 9-Count, but was counted out by Referee - Jim Reddick at 1:55 of Round 1.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ May 14, 1977


~ Sam Solomon ~ Leon Spinks Is Progressing Nicely ~

Trainer - Sam Solomon says that Leon Spinks is progressing nicely, and expects
Leon to be fighting 10-Rounders by the early-Fall.

Sam Solomon >
"Leon is showing great improvement from when I first had him in January. In only
4-Months, he has jumped by leaps-and-bounds. In his bout with Pedro Agosto, it was
his most impressive performance."

"Look, Pedro went 4-Rounds with George Foreman only 4-Months earlier. I thought that
Pedro would really test Leon, and give him a good battle. But Leon caught him with a
few good punches, and that was it. That last left-hook was a beauty."

"We were supposed to have that bout in Paris, France - but Leon and Michael wanted
to fight in their hometown of St. Louis, as an appreciation for the fans who have supported
then over their years as Amateurs."

"Next, we are going back to Montreal, Canada. It looks like we will be fighting on June 1st,
and probably against George Jerome. He's a burly guy from British Columbia who can
take a good punch. I'm sure he will give Leon some Rounds."

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ May 28, 1977

Montreal, Canada

~ Leon Spinks To Face Western Canadian Champ - George Jerome ~

Leon Spinks at 4-0-0 {4 KOs} will go for his 5th-Straight win as a Professional here at
The Forum on Wednesday Night {June 1st}.

Spinks {Age; 23 years, 10 months} is expected to enter the Ring between 198 and 200 lbs.

Spinks, the 1976 Olympic Gold Medal winner has been here sparring with 1976 Olympic
Bronze Medal winner - American Heavyweight - John Tate who is also on the Fight Card.

George Jerome, a 34 year-old, 6' 1" - 230 lb. 'brawler' from Vancouver, British Columbia
claims a record of 22-6-3 {12 KO's}.

Jerome a 9-Year Pro, said that he is prepared to take Spinks the full 8-Rounds, and expects
to win the Decision here.

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ May 29, 1977

Montreal, Canada

~ New Opponent For Leon Spinks ~

A 'new' opponent has been selected for Leon Spinks Wednesday's Night bout at
The Forum.

Leon's original opponent {George Jerome} was deemed, not physically fit.

As a fill-in, 24 year-old Scotty Welsh of Vancouver will be the replacement. Welsh, who
is ranked as the #6 Canadian Heavyweight claims a record of 14-0-0 with {11 KO's}.

Scotty Welsh is originally from New Brunswick, and has been competing as a Professional since
January 1973. Welsh at 6' 1" and 195 lbs. carries a powerful left-hook along with good hand-speed.

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ June 1, 1977

The Forum ~ Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Attendance ...... { 2240 }

Leon Spinks ~ 4-0-0 {4 KO's} ~ 201 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 10 months}
vs.
Bruce Scott ~ 27-20-1 {12 KO's} ~ 185 lbs. ~ {Age; 30 years, 9 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Bruce Scott of Beaumont, Texas is the 3rd-Fighter chosen to be Leon Spinks' opponent.

The original opponent , George Jerome was deemed 'not physically fit', and the 2nd
opponent, Scotty Welsh injured his right-wrist in a sparring session on Monday.

Bruce Scott, a 9-Year 'Club-Fighter/Cannon-Fodder' out of Texas is brought in on 1-Day
notice. Bruce claims a record of 27-20-1 in '48-Bouts'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

In The Opening Round, Leon is slow-and-steady over the first {2:10}, as Bruce Scott circles
and moves.

At the {2:15 Mark}, Leon moves in and unloads with a 3-Punch flurry, capped off by a 'jarring'
left-hand to the head. Scott goes down on right-side at the {2:22 Mark}.

The Texan is up at the '3-Count', and is ready to continue. Leon moves in, and Scott moves to
his right and away from Leon.

Leon lands a hard 'left-right' and backs Scott up into a Neutral-Corner. There, Leon lands another
jarring left-hand into Scott's head. Scott goes down again at the {2:47 Mark}.

Scott is up at the '6-Count' and survives Round 1.

In Round 2, Leon is steady, but easy in unloading on the over-matched Texan Club-Fighter. Late in
the Round at the {2:30 Mark}, Leon sends Scott reeling when he catches him with a 'looping'
right-hand to the head, but Scott 'grabs' Leon and holds him in a tight clinch.

At the end of the Round, Leon opens up with a 'fast-flurry', but most of his punches miss as Scott
'ducks-and weaves' until the Bell.

In Round 3, Scott tries to fight back early in the Round, and reels off 'two' crisp 3-Punch flurries
but Leon walks through the weak punches.

Leon slowly works the body, and by the {2:00 Mark} the Texan is looking 'worse-for-wear'. Leon
shakes Scott with a 'left-right-left', and sends him back into the Ropes at the {2:25 Mark}.

Scott is in 'survival-mode' as he tries to 'grab-and-hold'. Then at the {2:48 Mark}, Leon backs up
Scott with a 'right-left' and then follows up with a 'hard' right-hand to the top of Scott's head.

The Texan goes down at the {2:52 Mark}.

At the Bell, Scott is still on the canvas. The Referee - Rosario Bailargeon counts out
Bruce Scott after the Bell at the {3:02 Mark}.

Leon Spinks is awarded a KO 3 victory.

Fight Purses
* Leon Spinks ...... { $7500 }
* Bruce Scott ........ { $750 }

[Bill Paxtom]

June 10, 1977

~ Leon Spinks May Go To Europe For 2-Bouts ~

Leon Spinks, now with a record of 5-0-0 and '5' Knockouts may take another
venture back to Europe.

Trainer - Sam Solomon said that he would like to match the 1976 Olympic
Light-Heavyweight Gold Medal winner with British Heavyweight - Billy Aird
in late-June, with the bout set at Royal Albert Hall.

The 31 year-old Aird has a record of 18-10-5 {6 KO's}, and would present a
better challenge for the undefeated American than his previous '5' opponents.

Sam Solomon >
"We would like to fight Billy Aird at the end of June, because we have an offer to go
to Germany, for Leon to take on 'The German Beanpole' Bernd August in late-July.

"These '2-Bouts' are exactly what we need for Leon to hone his skills, while
taking on better opposition."

[Bill Paxtom]

August 2, 1977

~ Leon Spinks Signs To Meet Brooklyn's Kevin Isaac ~

Leon Spinks has agreed to meet Kevin Isaac in a Scheduled 8-Round Heavywieght Bout at
The Spectrum in Philadelphia on Tuesday ~ August 23rd.

The 24 year-old Spinks who has won all '5' of his bouts by Knockout, will have his sternest
test to date.

Leon last fought on June 1st in Montreal, Canada - 9-Weeks ago. When Leon walks into
the Ring on August 23rd, it will have been 12-Weeks since his last bout.

Leon now lives in Philadelphia, and trains at Joe Frazier's Gym.

Kevin Isaac {Age; 22 years, 7 months} is younger than Spinks. The Brooklyn-based fighter
won the New York Golden Gloves in 1973 at {Age; 18}, and is a well-schooled Boxer/Puncher.

Isaac has a record of 12-5-1 {6 KO's}, and has been in the Ring with World-Rated Heavyweights
Larry Holmes, Ron Lyle and Stan Ward.

[brocktonblockbust]

Spinks rose up like a meteor.

[Bill Paxtom]

Spinks rose up like a meteor.

~ Leon Spinks ~

Was punching hard early in his career.

Trainer; Sam Solomon
Chief Sparring Partner; Roy 'Tiger' Williams
Gym; Joe Frazier's Gym {Philadelphia, Pennsylvania}

It was Roy 'Tiger' Williams who helped Leon in developing punching-power.

Roy nicknamed Leon > 'The St. Louis Jaguar'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regarding the August 23, 1977 bout between > Leon Spinks vs. Kevin Isaac.

Leon suffered damage to his eye in an August 5th sparring-session with 'lanky' Mike Koranicki.
Leon's eye was badly bruised. The eye was originally diagnosed, as just a 'bad bruise'.

But a week later, the eye was still bothering Leon. A specialist examined the eye on Friday ~
August 12th, and it was determined that Leon had suffered '2' small broken bones near the area
of the eye socket.

That bout was then pushed back {7-Weeks} to Sunday ~ October 15th.

[Bill Paxtom]

September 18, 1977

~ Leon Spinks And Kevin Isaac Agree To Bout, Set For October 15th In Las Vegas ~

The 'twice' postponed bout between Leon Spinks and Kevin Isaac have finally agreed on date, and set
for October 15th and to be held at The Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.

The bout will be scheduled for 8-Rounds, and will be broadcast by CBS-TV.

Leon Spinks with a record of 5-0-0 {5 KO's} will receive { $20,000 } for his 6th Professional Bout, which
will be his highest Fight Purse to date.

Kevin Isaac, with a record of 12-5-1 {6 KO's} will receive a Fight Purse of { $10,000 }.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 1, 1977

~ Kevin Isaac Pulls Out Of Bout With Leon Spinks, Demands A Larger Fight Purse ~

New York Heavyweight - Kevin Isaac has pulled out of his bout with Leon Spinks scheduled for October 15th
in Las Vegas.

Isaac who was to receive { $10,000} for his appearance, demanded another { $5000 } for the scheduled
8-Rounder.

Kevin Isaac >
"I just found out that Leon is getting $20,000 plus an additional { $5000 in expenses}. That's fine, but he
shouldn't get more than 'twice' as much as me. I asked for another $5000. That demand is not out of range,
especially for a CBS-TV bout. Another $5000 is not going to break CBS Sports."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 3, 1977

~ Leon Spinks Signs To Fight Scott LeDoux On October 22nd In Las Vegas At The Aladdin Hotel ~

The 24 year-old Spinks, with a record of 5-0-0 {5 KO's} has not fought since June 1st, and this will be far his
toughest test.

Scott LeDoux, a 28 1/2 year-old brawler who goes by the moniker of 'The Minnesota Farm-Boy', is a tough
brawling slugger who will surely give the younger Spinks all that he can handle.

LeDoux has a quality record of 21-6-1 {13 KO's}, and has been in with some rough Hombre's, including
George Foreman who stopped him in 4-Rounds.

LeDoux last fought on July 28, 1977 > where he was stopped by {L TKO 7} to Duane Bobick in a
rough battle in Minnesota.

This bout will scheduled for 8-Rounds, and will be the Co-Main Event along with a bout between Colombian
Heavyweight #10 WBC-ranked Bernardo Mercado vs. Gregory Johnson.

[brocktonblockbust]

October 3, 1977

~ Leon Spinks Signs To Fight Scott LeDoux On October 22nd In Las Vegas At The Aladdin Hotel ~

The 24 year-old Spinks, with a record of 5-0-0 {5 KO's} has not fought since June 1st, and this will be far his
toughest test.

Scott LeDoux, a 28 1/2 year-old brawler who goes by the moniker of 'The Minnesota Farm-Boy', is a tough
brawling slugger who will surely give the younger Spinks all that he can handle.

LeDoux has a quality record of 21-6-1 {13 KO's}, and has been in with some rough Hombre's, including
George Foreman who stopped him in 4-Rounds.

LeDoux last fought on July 28, 1977 > where he was stopped by {L TKO 7} to Duane Bobick in a
rough battle in Minnesota.

Scott LeDoux was nobody's pushover. Power punching right hand punching tough guy he would not back down and would go down with the ship

[Bill Paxtom]

October 4, 1977

Barry Frank > President of CBS Television Sports

~ Leon Spinks Bout With Kevin Isaac Cancelled ~

We would have loved for Leon to fight Brooklyn's - Kevin Isaac here on CBS-TV on October 15th.

It would have been a great match-up between two young Heavyweights. Kevin is experienced
for a young guy {Age; 22 years, 8 months}. And his record of 12-5-1 {6 KO's} is much better
than it appears on paper.

But, back in August he verbally agreed to a { $10,000 } Fight Purse. We were going to give
him '3' Round Trip Airline Tickets so he could bring his Manager and Trainer from New York
to Las Vegas. And he would have all 'expenses' covered for the 5-Days that he was supposed
to be here.

On September 18th, I gave him { $2000 } in up-front Training Expenses. That was his money,
and he could do whatever he wanted with it.

Then on October 3rd, he demands another { $5000} for an 8-Round bout.

He was upset because Leon was getting { $20,000 } plus additional expenses. One contract
has nothing to do with the other.

All I know, is that earlier Kevin had signed a Contract to fight Leon at 'The Spectrum' in Philadelphia
on August 23rd. For that bout, Kevin agreed to a { $7500 Fight Purse }. He was fine with that.
Now we offered him more { $10,000 } and some, and he at first agrees. Now he complains.
I don't get it.