Leon Spinks ~ "The Road To Muhammad Ali"

[Bill Paxtom]

Leon Spinks

"The Road To Muhammad Ali"

No sooner than Leon Spinks' exciting rampage thru the Light-Heavyweight Division {81 Kg}
at the Summer Olympics {July 1976} where he won a Gold Medal, the road was being set
for the Missouri fighter.

Leon, still a Corporal with the United States Marines in July 1976 {Age; 23 years, 0 months}
agreed to sign a Fight Contract with St. Louis businessman > Mitt Barnes.

In August 1976, Leon signed a deal that gave Mitt Barnes 30% of his Gross Earnings in
the Ring, and with a 'rider' for 12 {one-year} options.

Mitt Barnes had been an advisor for Leon since 1969, when Leon was a 'wild' 16-Year-Old.

As of August 26, 1976 >

Leon still had 11-Months to go on his hitch for the United States Marines, where he was stationed
at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Leon had wanted to fulfill his goal of making Sargeant, before being discharged, and then turning
Professional as a Heavyweight boxer.

Leon Spinks >
"I'm still a Marine. I didn't let the Gold Medal go to my head. I'm still up early in the Moring going thru
Marine training. When I get a furlough I head to Des Moines, Iowa to visit my Wife and her Mother -
Ms. Carrie Bush."