RIP Leon Spinks Jr.

[Bob Juch]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks Jr. has died after battling prostate and other cancers. He was 67.

Spinks died Friday night, according to a release from a public relations firm. His wife, Brenda Glur Spinks, and a few close friends and other family members were by his side when he passed away.

Spinks won gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. But he rose in prominence when he beat Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title in 1978.

Spinks had only seven professional fights under his belt when he got into the ring with Ali. The St. Louis native also was outweighed by Ali by more than 25 pounds.

[Bob78164]

I watched (on TV) the fight when Spinks won the title. I'll never forget how they announced it:

"We have a split decision! Judge so-and-so scores the fight 143-142, Spinks."

PAUSE FOR EFFECT

"Judge other-so-and-so scores the fight 143-142, Ali."

PAUSE FOR EFFECT.

"Referee whats-his-name scores the fight 145-144 for the winner . . . AND NEW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, LEON SPINKS!"

[Estonut]

I watched (on TV) the fight when Spinks won the title. I'll never forget how they announced it:

You may not forget, but you won't get it right, either. A split decision means that the decision was not unanimous. Your version is.

Here are the actual decisions and the correct counts:


The ring announcer comes on around 57:32.

[Bob78164]

I watched (on TV) the fight when Spinks won the title. I'll never forget how they announced it:

You may not forget, but you won't get it right, either. A split decision means that the decision was not unanimous. Your version is.

Here are the actual decisions and the correct counts:


The ring announcer comes on around 57:32.

Typo. Now corrected. --Bob