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.
RIP Leon Spinks Jr.
- Bob Juch
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RIP Leon Spinks Jr.
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.
- Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)
Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to drive in New Jersey.
- Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)
Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to drive in New Jersey.
- Bob78164
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Re: RIP Leon Spinks Jr.
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!"
"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!"
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson
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Re: RIP Leon Spinks Jr.
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.
A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.
Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
- Bob78164
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Re: RIP Leon Spinks Jr.
Typo. Now corrected. --Bob
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson