Leon Spinks ~ "The Road To Muhammad Ali"

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ October 23, 1977

The Aladdin Hotel ~ Las Vegas, Nevada

Television Broadcast ~ CBS-TV

Leon Spinks ~ 5-0-0 {5 KO's} ~ 194 lbs. ~ 6' 1" ~ Reach; 76" ~ {Age; 24 years, 3 months}
vs.
Scott LeDoux ~ 21-6-1 {13 KO's} ~ 224 lbs. ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ Reach; 80" ~ {Age; 28 years, 9 months}

Fight Purses
* Leon Spinks .......... { $30,000 } + an additional $5000 in up-front Training Expenses.
* Scott LeDoux .........{ $22,000 } + an additional $3000 in up-front Training Expenses.
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'The Skinny'

Leon Spinks has only had a total of 9-Rounds in the Ring in his 5-Bouts. Leon last fought 4 1/2 months
earlier on June 1st, where he scored an easy 3-Round Knockout over Bruce Scott.

But, Leon has been working out steadily with Joe Frazier as his sparring-partner in Philadelphia, and Leon
has been impressive.

Sam Solomon {Trainer} >
"All Leon has to do is pace himself. If he does that, he wins easy here. Scott LeDoux is tough and durable,
but he can't box with Leon. My guy is way too fast."

The word floating around >
* 'Is Leon Being Rushed'
* 'Are They Pushing Spinks Too Fast'.
* 'Leon Is Taking On Too Rough Of A Fighter In Scott LeDoux'

Scott LeDoux is in a 'no-lose situation'.

Scott is coming off a rough-bout with Duane Bobick 3-Months earlier {July 28th} where he was stopped
{L TKO 7}.

Scott had a 'bad flu' only 1-Week earlier, and he nearly had to pull out. But Scott is ready, and said he
would use his weight-and-brawn to wear Leon down.

Scott LeDoux >
"I can't match this kid in speed, but his fast-hands won't be worth 'Jack Shit' after I slam his body
with a few of my hard-punches. I plan to use my weight-advantage {+30 lbs.} to wear him down,
and then take his body apart in the Middle-Rounds."

[Bill Paxtom]

Leon Spinks vs. Scott LeDoux

Ring Size ......... 18'
Referee - Carlos Padilla
3-Knockdown Rule 'waived'
5-Point Scoring System

Round 1 >

Leon was both aggressive and quick, as he controlled the first {1:15} by slamming
in fast '2-and-3' punch combinations.

In the meantime, Scott was moving around the perimeter of the Ring, and along
the Ropes. Scott was keeping his right-glove tucked under his chin, while crossing
his left-arm along his chest.

Scott moved around the Ring while Leon was the aggressor. Scott circled to his left,
and stayed near the Ropes while looking to counter. Scott does land an occasional
'looping' right-hand to the body

1:15 > Leon forces Scott backward, to the front-right Ring area.
1:20 > Leon lands a 'wicked-fast' left-hook square on Scott's chops.
1:30 > Scott is moving along the Perimeter of the Ring, and circles to the back-left Ring area.
1:40 > Leon is still firing '2-Punch' combinations.

1:45 > Leon backs Scott up to the back-left Ropes.
1:50 > Scott is backed up on the Ropes.
1:55 > The fighters moved in close, and soft-clinch.
1:58 > Referee - Carlos Padilla calls 'Break'.

1:59 > Leon steps back, and Scott 'sneaks' in a short left and chopping right-hand to Leon's head.
2:01 > Referee - Carlos Padilla gives Scott a 'stern' 7-Second warning.
2:08 > The action resumes.
2:15 > Leon continues with his 'two-handed' attack.

2:35 > Scott continues to move around the Ring-Perimeter, and is now the near the front-right Ring area.
2:40 > Leon lands a light-flurry while inside-and-close.
2:48 > Scott 'bulls' Leon into the right-side Ropes, and slams in a few solid punches to the body.
3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 1 .......... Leon Spinks {5-4}

[Bill Paxtom]

Leon Spinks vs. Scott LeDoux

Round 2 >

0:03 > Leon comes out aggressive, and backs Scott up to the front-right Ring area.
0:08 > Leon winds up and delivers a left-hook 'low' and below the belt-line.
0:09 > Leon slips to the canvas.
0:11 > Referee - Carlos Padilla steps in and gives Scott some time to re-group.

0:23 > Both fighters meet at Center-Ring.
0:24 > Scott fires in a quick right-hand lead to the head.
0:28 > Scott circles 270*, and is now back in the front-right Ring area.
0:30 > Leon moves in to attack, as Scott slides back to the front-right Ropes.

0:32 > Scott fires in a series of left-hooks underneath and below Leon's belt-line.
0:35 > Referee - Carlos Padilla warns Scott for 'low-blows'.
0:38 > Leon continues with his aggressive-attack.
0:39 > Scott is showing redness in his face.

0:40 > Scott moves to the front-left Corner.
0:43 > Leon is still pressing, and is firing in quick and hard punches.
0:50 > Scott moves to the back Ring area.
0:52 > Scott is showing redness above his left-eye.

1:03 > Scott moves and circles around Leon.
1:17 > Both fighters get into a 'wild-exchange'.
1:21 > Leon is 'ferocious' in his attack, as he is throwing hard-punches.
1:26 > Leon is lightning-fast with a series of '2-Punch' combinations.

1:30 > Scott digs in a hard left-hook to the body.
1:42 > Scott 'bulls' Leon to the back Ropes.
1:50 > Scott is now roughing up Leon with a 'mauling-attack'.
1:55 > Scott drives Leon into the left-side Ropes.

2:00 > Leon skips off the Ropes, and lands a good left-uppercut, and fires in a follow-up flurry.
2:05 > Scott is driven into the back-left Ropes.
2:22 > Scott goes back to mauling, and drives Leon to the left-side Ropes.
2:30 > Scott sends in several wide hooks to the mid-section.

2:39 > Scott backs off, and backs up across the Ring to the right-side Ropes.
2:45 > Both fighters exchange light-punches on the inside until the Bell.
3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 2 ........ Leon Spinks {5-4}

[Bill Paxtom]

Leon Spinks vs. Scott LeDoux

Round 3 >

0:05 > Leon comes out aggressive, and wings away with a few fast combinations.
0:12 > Scott backs to the back Ropes.
0:22 > The fighters move to Center-Ring.
0:24 > Leon is fast with his punches, as he is out-speeding Scott.

0:27 > Scott moves to the left-side Ropes.
0:29 > Scott fires in a 'heavy' left-right to the body.
0:35 > Leon rallies, and drives Scott to the back Ropes.
0:44 > Scott starts digging to the body.

1:02 > Leon is forced backwards, to the right-side Ropes.
1:05 > Scott smashes '2' left-hands into Leon's mid-section.
1:15 > Leon is driven into the front-right Corner.
1:18 > Scott is now mauling Leon, and pounding his body.

1:30 > The fighters move out to Center-Ring.
1:33 > Both exchange.
1:38 > Scott backs up to the front Ropes.
1:44 > Scott is looking to counter.

1:54 > Scott 'bull-rushes' Leon and mauls him again.
1:56 > Scott drives Leon into the right-side Ropes.
2:00 > Both trade good punches.
2:10 > Scott backs up to the left-side Ring area.

2:12 > Scott unloads with a 'right-left-right' to Leon's chin, and rocks him on his heels.
2:16 > Leon tries to counter, but misses.
2:18 > Scott lands a good left-hook to the chin.
2:20 > Leon is backed up into the front-right Corner.

2:37 > Scott is now brawling, and has taken command of the Round.
2:40 > Scott slams Leon with left-hooks into the mid-section.
2:48 > Leon moves to the back-right Ring area.
2:53 > Both fighters are in tight and exchange

2:58 > Scott 'caps off' the Round by landing a thudding right-hand into the left-side of Leon's body.
3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 3 ........... Scott LeDoux {5-4}

[Bill Paxtom]

Leon Spinks vs. Scott LeDoux

Round 4 >

0:05 > Leon comes out stalking.
0:07 > Scott backs up to the back-right Corner.
0:08 > Leon scores with '2' left-jabs.
0:10 > Scott sends out a stiff left-hand.

0:11 > Leon side-steps and moves in close, and delivers a short left-hook into Scott's face.
0:13 > The fighters clinch at the back-right Ring area.
0:17 > Leon backs out to Center-Ring.
0:19 > Scott sends out a 'pawing' left-hand.

0:25 > Scott moves to the front Ropes.
0:27 > Leon steps in, and lands a 'crisp' left-hook to Scott's jaw.
0:30 > Scott starts working Leon's body with short power-punches.
0:35 > Leon lands a fast 'right-left-right'.

0:44 > Scott moves to the right-side Ropes.
0:46 > Leon lands a good short right-uppercut to Scott's chin.
0:54 > Scott is pawing with measuring left-hands.
1:04 > Scott moves into the front-right Corner.

1:06 > The fighters clinch.
1:15 > Scott moves to the front Ropes, and delivers '2' left-hands to Leon's head.
1:17 > Leon counters with a 'double' left-hand, and a quick straight-right to Scott's chin.
1:21 > Scott digs a good left-hook into Leon's body.

1:28 > Leon moves out to Center-Ring.
1:29 > Leon scores with a good left-hook to the head.
1:30 > Scott counters with left-hands to both the head and body.
1:32 > Both exchanges left-jabs.

1:34 > Scott moves over to the right-side Ropes.
1:35 > Leon steps in, and lands a fast 'right-left-right'.
1:37 > Scott pulls down on Leon's head.

1:42 > The fighters move to Center-Ring.
1:44 > Scott lands a 'double' left-hand.
1:53 > Leon moves backwards to the back Ropes, and is doing nothing.
2:00 > {Leon's cornerman} Sam Solomon yells at Leon > "Get off the ropes Leon."

2:03 > Scott lands a good left-hook to the head.
2:09 > Both trade 'medium' power-punches.
2:11 > Scott bull-rushes Leon, and drives his shoulder into Leon.
2:12 > Leon is driven backwards into the right-side Ropes.

2:20 > Both fighters are looking for an opening, and neither are punching.
2:33 > Scott backs off, and moves to the left-side Ring area trying to bait Leon in.
2:36 > Scott is now leaning with his back on the left-side Ropes.
2:39 > Leon attacks, but 'misses' with a right-left.

2:42 > Leon backs out to Center-Ring as Scott moves out.
2:45 > Scott lands a 'left-right-left'.
2:50 > Scott pushes Leon back and towards back Ring area.
2:53 > Scott lands a 'light' left hand while moving forward.
2:56 > Leon lands a good left-hook to the body.
2:57 > Scott slams Leon with a hard 'right-left' to the body, while pushing him into the back Ropes.

3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 4 .......... 'Even' {5-5}

[Bill Paxtom]

Leon Spinks vs. Scott LeDoux

Round 5 >

Before the Round starts, Referee - Carlos Padilla instructs Scott LeDoux's corner to remove the excess 'Vasoline' on Scott's face.

0:02 > Leon comes out aggressive, and starts to slam away.
0:05 > Scott immediately moves to the back Ropes, and covers up.
0:12 > Leon is 'wild' with his right-hand punches.
0:18 > Scott moves over to the back-right Corner.

0:22 > The fighters clinch.
0:29 > Leon backs off, and moves to Center-Ring.
0:35 > Scott lands '3' good left-hands to Leon's head.
0:40 > Scott moves to front Ropes.

0:44 > Scott 'paws' with left-hands as Leon is stalking.
0:55 > Scott moves over to the front-left Corner.
0:58 > Scott scores with a 'left-right'.
1:01 > Leon wings in a sharp 'right-left' to the head.

1:03 > Scott moves to his left, to the back-left Ropes.
1:05 > Leon is 'smartly' left-jabbing his way in.
1:09 > As Leon gets in close, Scott ties him up.
1:12 > Scott lands a good left-hook to the body.

1:13 > Leon comes back with a good left-hook to the head.
1:14 > Leon rips in a fast 'left-right-left' as Scott is backed up on the Ropes and covering up.
1:20 > Both are trading with good punches at the back-left Ring area.
1:25 > Scott 'bulls' into Leon, and pushes him out near Center-Ring.

1:30 > Scott lands a good lead right-hand to the chin.
1:32 > Leon comes back with a fast 'right-left' to the head.
1:34 > Scott bulls Leon into the left-side Ropes.
1:36 > Scott slams a 'hard' right-hand into the left-side of Leon's body.

1:36 > Leon's legs buckle, and he is hurt.
1:38 > Scott whips in a right to the head, and a left-hook to the body.
1:40 > Leon bends over, to cover up.
1:43 > Scott leans in on Leon.

1:45 > Scott backs off.
1:46 > Leon sticks out his left-arm straight, to hold Scott at bay.
1:49 > Scott scores with a big-sweeping left-hook to the chin.
1:53 > Scott moves in, and leans on Leon.

1:57 > Scott lands another sweeping left-hook.
2:00 > Leon gets off the Ropes, and scores with a 'sharp' right-hand lead.
2:02 > Scott scores with a short right-hand to the head.
2:04 > Scott backs up to the front Ropes.

2:06 > Leon moves in, and fires with a 'wild-flurry'.
2:09 > The fighters get in close, but neither punch as they both are 'resting'.
2:13 > Scott lands with a left-hook to the body.
2:15 > Scott slides over to the front-left Corner.

2:16 > Leon follows, and walks straight in.
2:17 > Scott unloads with a 'right-left-right'.
2:18 > Leon comes back with a hard left-hook to the body.
2:18 > Leon misses 'high' with a right-hand.

2:20 > Leon scores with a short-left to the body.
2:23 > Scott is now along the left-side Ropes.
2:28 > The fighters clinch.
2:30 > Scott moves to the back Ropes.

2:32 > Leon walks in, and unloads with a 'right-left'.
2:35 > Leon comes back with a sharp 'left-right'.
2:38 > Leon adds in another 'right-left'.
2:39 > Scott digs in with a left-hook to the body.

2:42 > The action lulls, as Scott backs up towards the front Ring area.
2:47 > Leon scores with right-uppercut.
2:49 > Scott backs up to the front Ropes.
2:51 > Leon is 'wild' with a right-hand.

2:52 > Scott spins out off the Ropes.
2:54 > Scott bangs in a 'left-left-right' to the body.
2:57 > Scott swings, but misses with a big-sweeping left-hook as Leon backs up to the right-front Ring area.
3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 5 .......... 'Even' {5-5}

[Bill Paxtom]

Leon Spinks vs. Scott LeDoux

Round 6 >

0:02 > Both meet at Center-Ring.
0:07 > Both are looking for an opening.
0:09 > Scott lands a left-jab to the head.
0:11 > Leon presses, and forces Scott to back up to the back Ropes.

0:13 > Scott catches Leon coming forward with a 'left-right-left-left'.
0:15 > Leon comes back with a 'hard' right-hand to the body.
0:16 > Scott counters with '2' left-hands to the body.
0:20 > Scott is 'digging' to the body, bending Leon over.

0:23 > Scott moves over to the right-side Ropes.
0:25 > Scott pushes Leon off, and out away from the Ropes.
0:37 > Leon scores with a good left-hook to the chin.
0:41 > Scott comes back with '4' left-jabs to the head, while moving to the front Ropes.

0:44 > Both exchange good left-jabs.
0:55 > Leon hammers Scott with '7' sharp punches to the head while he's backed up on the front Ropes.
1:00 > Scott pushes Leon off, and out to Center-Ring.
1:08 > Both are Center-Ring, but are not punching.

1:19 > Scott lands a right to the head, and a left to the body.
1:23 > Leon moves in close.
1:25 > Scott pushes Leon off, and into the right-side Ropes.
1:27 > Leon tries to come off the Ropes.

1:28 > Scott lands a 'big' looping right-hand to the jaw.
1:29 > Leon looks hurt, and leans back into the right-side Ropes.
1:32 > Scott moves in, and slams in a 'right-left-right' into Leon.
1:34 > Scott digs in a 'right-left' to the body.

1:39 > Leon recovers, and attempts a big right-uppercut to the chin, but misses.
1:40 > Scott backs off, as Leon comes off the right-side Ropes.
1:42 > Scott catches Leon with a 'left-right' to the head.
1:44 > Scott circles 180* to the back-right Ring area.

1:45 > Leon moves in, and lands a good 'left-right' to the head.
1:48 > Scott is on the right-back Ropes.
1:52 > Both are in close, but neither are punching.
1:54 > Scott moves Leon to the back Ropes.

1:55 > Scott lands '2' left-hands to the body.
1:56 > Leon counters with a 'hard' left-hook to the body.
1:57 > Both trade left-hands.
1:59 > Scott moves to the right-side Ropes.

2:00 > The fighters 'clinch'.
2:03 > The fighters move to Center-Ring.
2:08 > Both are looking for an opening.
2:16 > Both exchange left-jabs.

2:22 > The action is sloppy, as both 'grapple'.
2:29 > Scott lands a good right-hand to the body.
2:31 > Leon scores with a sharp left-hand to the head.
2:33 > Leon moves to the back Ropes.

2:35 > Leon catches Scott coming in with a 'sharp' straight left-hand to the face.
2:41 > Scott backs off, and backs up to the front Ropes.
2:46 > Both exchange with hard-punches to the head.
2:50 > Scott scores with a 'good' overhand right to the head.

2:51 > Scott lands a 'hard' left-hook to the body.
2:53 > Leon is not punching, and looks a bit tired..
2:58 > Scott lands with a good left-hand to the body.
3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 6 ........... Scott LeDoux {5-4}