Infotainment Sep 15, 2008
1978 Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks to win his 3rd World Heavyweight Boxing title. 1982 The first issue of USA Today was published. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
This date in sports Sep 15, 2008
Muhammad Ali becomes the first three-time heavyweight champion with a unanimous 15-round decision over Leon Spinks at the Superdome in New Orleans. 2002. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Federer shows no cause for concern Sep 13, 2008
We were worried the names of some of the players who were beating Federer this year, such as Mardy Fish, Gilles Simon and Ivo Karlovic, would leave the type of blemishes on Federer's record that defeats to Trevor Berbick and Leon Spinks left on Muhammad Ali's. And, with 12 defeats in a single season - he had suffered 23 in the previous four years combined - the Swiss master was copping more than just the occasional lucky punch. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Modesto-born Barajas looks to stay perfect in the ring Aug 8, 2008
Tonight's fighters sat and stared as several well-known title-holders were announced at Thursday's news conference: former featherweight and super-featherweight champ Bobby Chacon, former heavyweight champ and 1976 Olympic gold medalist Leon Spinks, former light-flyweight champ and 1988 Olympic silver medalist Michael Carbajal and former light-welterweight champ Loreto Garza of Sacramento. Chacon turned and faced the crowd after his name was announced, struck a fighter's pose, threw some lefts... (Modesto Bee, CA)
Why can't a 40-something win in the Olympics? Jun 29, 2008
Those were the Montreal games; five American boxers Sugar Ray Leonard, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, Leo Randolph and Howard Davis Jr. won gold medals. This has been often called the greatest Olympic boxing team the United States ever had, and, out of the five American gold medalists in boxing, all but Davis went on to become professional world champions. (Greenville Delta Democrat Times, MS)
Spinks' loss reminds his uncle of when he lost his final bout to Tyson Mar 29, 2008
Michael Spinks' style was more like his nephew's than Cory's hard-slugging father, Leon Spinks. Even so, Michael Spinks had enough pop to rise from light heavyweight and take the heavyweight crown from Larry Holmes. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Phillips beats Spinks for IBF title Mar 28, 2008
The latest setback came a few weeks after a split with longtime trainer and manager Kevin Cunningham, and despite moral support from Leon Spinks and Michael Spinks, Cory's father and uncle and both former heavyweight champions. "I felt good, just a little rusty, that's all," Spinks said of his first fight in 10 months. (Anchorage Daily News)
Spinks will have father, uncle in corner for next fight Mar 26, 2008
Leon Spinks, a former heavyweight champion who once seized the title from Muhammad Ali, will assist his son when he defends his IBF junior middleweight championship against former three-time champ Verno Phillips ... Leon Spinks, who lives in Chicago, said he'll advise his son to "keep his hands up and throw his best shot.''"He can't fight like I can, but he's got pretty good defense,'' Leon Spinks said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Soul survivor Feb 15, 2008
Blackhistory This day in history 1978: Muhammad Ali lost the heavyweight title to Leon Spinks in a split decision. ADVERTISEMENT~ Brought to you by. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
2008 Sugar Bowl Game Center - Georgia vs. Hawaii Jan 6, 2008
Legendary Moments- George Bush nominated for reelection at 1988 Republican National Convention- Pope John Paul II addressed 80,000 school children in 1987- Alabama beat Penn State 13-6 in first Sugar Bowl game in Superdome in 1976- Grambling's Eddie Robinson coached his final game in 1997 Bayou Classic- Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks before 65,000 in 1978- Georgia defeats Notre Dame for the National Championship in 1980- Sugar Ray Leonard defeated Roberto Duran in "No Mas" fight in 1980 -... (Georgia Sports -- Rivals.com)
Larry Holmes takes spot in Boxing Hall of Fame Dec 14, 2007
Holmes defended his title against contenders of varying quality: For every Muhammad Ali, Ernie Shavers and Leon Spinks, there was a Lorenzo Zanon, Scott Frank and Ossie Ocasio, Brophy said. Larry Holmes was probably the most under-appreciated heavyweight champion in history, said trainer Emanuel Steward, a 1996 Hall of Fame inductee. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Holmes inducted into Boxing Hall of Fame Dec 12, 2007
"I feel good about myself. I'm not going to let people put me down. I worked hard. I worked hard,'' said Holmes, who is 58 but just five years removed from his last fight.Holmes will be inducted June 8 along with junior welterweight champion Eddie Perkins. Middleweight Holman Williams will be inducted posthumously. All three are in the hall's modern-era category.Middleweights Len Harvey and Frank Klaus and welterweight Harry Lewis were honored in the old-timer category, and 19th-century Irish... (MSNBC -- Sports)
BOXING GREATS VISIT SUFFOLK Sep 30, 2007
Some of those same fighters were among the several who participated in Friday's event: Ron Lyle, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, Iran "The Blade" Barkley, Mark Breland, Tony "Tiger" Lopez, Reggie Johnson, Carl Williams, Alfonso Gomez and Michael Bent. The boxers, as well as the fans who came to see them, had a packed day: a press conference, autograph and book signings, celebrity boxing matches, and the dinner and awards ceremony. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Boxing event worth attending Sep 16, 2007
The professional boxers from around the country Leon Spinks, Ron Lyle and Carl The Truth Williams that have signed on to come to our fair city are sure to bring a crowd. This area has a lot of boxing fans, said Sherwin Turner, co-owner of Main Street Jazz and organizer of the event. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Famous boxers coming to Suffolk Sep 15, 2007
Boxers who have signed on to participate include Iran Barkley, Carl The Truth Williams and Mark Breland, all of New York, Ron Lyle of Colorado, Leon Spinks of Nebraska and Alfonso Gomez of California. Although he is unable to attend the event, Hampton Roads boxer Pernell Whittaker will be honored for his professional success, Turner said. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Calzaghe can draw world's greatest gate - Warren Jul 18, 2007
The biggest gate for a boxing bill indoors was registered in 1978 when 63,000 watched Muhammad Ali defeat Leon Spinks at the New Orleans Superdome to win the world heavyweight title for the third time. Warren is hopeful that as many as 70,000 will see Calzaghe's attempt to add Kessler's WBC and WBA titles to the WBO title he has held since 1997. (Guardian Unlimited)
Muhammad Ali's Fight Jun 10, 2007
Muhammad Ali lost the heavyweight title again in 1978 to Leon Spinks, but regained it for the third and last time ('78-'79) by refighting Spinks and knocking him out. Ali retired from boxing in 1981. (Suite101.com)
Taylor manages a split May 20, 2007
Spinks, the International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champion and son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, moved up to fight Taylor. Spinks (36-4) was Taylor's second straight opponent from a lower weight class. (Boston Globe)
Spinks ready for Taylor after eventful weigh-in May 19, 2007
Spinks, son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, is hoping for an upset similar to his father's against Muhammad Ali. Leon Spinks beat Ali in February of 1978, five days before Cory was born ... Leon Spinks will be in his son's corner Saturday night. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Champ Taylor takes no guff as Spinks awaits May 18, 2007
" That fight eventually is likely to happen, but Taylor first has to get past Spinks. The two have known each other since their amateur days and consider each other friends. "But once we get in that ring, we're going to try to tear each other's head off," says Spinks, who will have his father, former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, working his corner for the first time in his career. "Jermain is the champion, and I thank him for this opportunity. But he knows he's in for a fight. (USA Today -- Sports)
Here's some voting advice: Pick Wallace May 14, 2007
Who is the best Major League Baseball player to come from Central Florida. Results are not scientific. (Orlando Sentinel -- Sports)
He's major leaguer who's a cut above Apr 13, 2007
This ranks among history's great sports upsets, such as Leon Spinks over Muhammad Ali, the USA hockey team over Russia and Peyton Manning turning down a commercial endorsement. Trivia answer. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Taylor-Spinks unification bout set for May 19 Mar 30, 2007
Spinks, the son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, is the IBF junior middleweight champion. "This fight was offered to a large number of middleweights who turned it down," said Lou DiBella, Taylor's promoter. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
In Pictures: One-Hit Wonders Mar 7, 2007
That could explain why boxer Leon Spinks sunk into mediocrity after his 1978 upset of Muhammad Ali won him the world heavyweight title at age 24. "When you look at top sports figures, like the Wayne Gretzys of the world, they're people who aspire to be known for a strong work ethic," Neufeld says. (Forbes)
Dawson is new king of the ring Feb 4, 2007
In the first of three world championship bouts Saturday, Cory Spinks born five days after his father, Leon Spinks, defeated Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight world title in Las Vegas in 1978 retained the IBF junior middleweight championship with a unanimous decision over Rodney Jones. Dave Solomon, the Register sports columnist, can be reached at dsolomon@nhregister. (New Haven Register, CT)
Dawson dominates to take crown Feb 4, 2007
Which All-Star event is your favorite to watch. Results are not scientific. (Orlando Sentinel -- Sports)
Tiger Woods Most Intimidating Jan 30, 2007
Although he truly is the greatest, even to this day, never once did George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sonny Liston, Leon Spinks or Ken Norton (especially Norton having broken Ali's jaw) step into the ring thinking they would be beaten. Regularly, Tiger Woods' opponents speak of how he plays a different game, at a different level, than they. (Suite101.com)
Champ of champions Jan 21, 2007
Ali stopped Frazier in the 14th round of the Thrilla in Manila in 1975 to win their legendary trilogy, but lost the throne to Leon Spinks in a 15-round split decision on February 15, 1978. Ali won a 15-round unanimous decision over Spinks seven months later to reclaim the title and retired in 1979. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Wills, Colletti Honored to be in Chicago Jan 15, 2007
The winners have come from other sports, such as boxer Leon Spinks, and have included Morris native and big-leaguer Scott Spiezio, Cubs minor-leaguer Billy Petrick and Wilmington High School baseball coach Kevin Feeney. "What we try to do is honor people who accomplish things in the game from the area," a spokeman said. (Los Angeles, TheInsiders.com)
NORM: Eckstine's family says man impostor Jan 14, 2007
At Earth, Wind (Luxor) on Friday: former heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, having a night out at Red Rock Resort on Friday, playing blackjack and shooting craps. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Nevada News)
