Michael Spinks

Michael Spinks
Spinks in 1987
Born
Michael Spinks

(1956-07-22) July 22, 1956 (age 68)[2][3]
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S
Other namesJinx
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 2+1⁄2 in (189 cm)[1]
Reach76 in (193 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights32
Wins31
Wins by KO21
Losses1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1976 Montreal Middleweight

Michael Spinks (born July 22, 1956)[a] is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1988. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed light heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985, and the lineal heavyweight title from 1985 to 1988. As an amateur he won a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Nicknamed "Jinx", which spawned the nickname of his straight right hand, "The Spinks Jinx",[7][8] Spinks is the brother of former world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, and uncle of Cory Spinks, a former welterweight and light middleweight champion.

After a successful amateur career, which culminated in his Olympic gold medal win, Spinks went undefeated in his first 31 professional fights, beating Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Marvin Johnson and Eddie Davis en route to becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion. After defending the title against 10 different fighters, Spinks moved up to heavyweight, and as an underdog defeated long-reigning IBF heavyweight champion Larry Holmes (whose own 48–0 record up to that point was one victory short of tying Rocky Marciano's 49–0 unblemished record); in doing so, Spinks became the first reigning light heavyweight world champion to win the heavyweight title. In his final fight, Spinks was knocked out by Mike Tyson in 91 seconds, the only defeat of his professional career.

Spinks has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The International Boxing Research Organization and BoxRec rank Spinks among the 10 greatest light heavyweights of all time.[9][10]

  1. ^ a b HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Mike Tyson fight.
  2. ^ a b The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Michael Spinks AMERICAN BOXER". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 13 June 2018. Michael Spinks, (born July 22, 1956, St. Louis, Mo., U.S.), American boxer … {{cite encyclopedia}}: |author1= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "Michael Spinks".
  4. ^ Anderson, Dave (October 18, 1987). "Sports of The Times; Not Really the Undisputed Champion". The New York Times. p. 5005005. Retrieved 14 June 2018. In contrast, Spinks, depending on how often he fights until then, might be a little rusty. He will surely be a little older. He'll turn 32 on July 13.
  5. ^ Clarence George (13 July 2016). "Light Heavyweight Great Michael Spinks Turns 60". World Boxing Association. Retrieved 14 June 2018. Michael Spinks, generally considered among the greatest light heavyweights of all time, celebrates his 60th birthday today.
  6. ^ No author (July 22, 2010). "Back in Time: July 22". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 13 June 2018. BORN ON THIS DAY … Michael Spinks (1956) … {{cite magazine}}: |author1= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Lotierzo, Frank J., "Michael Spinks: A Real Champion" Viewing Boxing From Ringside, Tom Donelson, Editor (Writers Club Press, 2002), p. 112
  8. ^ Lotierzo, Frank J. "'Spinks Jinx' Charmed and Unparalleled at Light Heavyweight". East Side Boxing. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "Light-heavyweight". IBRO. Archived from the original on 2014-11-09. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
  10. ^ "World all light-heavyweight ratings". BoxRec. Retrieved 2011-06-13.


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