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Michael Spinks boxer

Michael Spinks image
Status inactive
Division light heavyweight
Height 6′ 2½″/189cm
Reach 76″/193cm
Debut 1977-04-16
Born 1956-07-22
Nationality USA
Residence Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
bouts
32
won
31
lost
1
draw
0
bouts
32
won
31
lost
1
draw
0
Status inactive
Division light heavyweight
Height 6′ 2½″/189cm
Reach 76″/193cm
Debut 1977-04-16
Born 1956-07-22
Nationality USA
Residence Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

Nicknamed "Jinx", which spawned the nickname of his straight right hand, "The Spinks Jinx", 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 10 successful title defenses, Spinks moved up to heavyweight, and as an underdog defeated long-reigning IBF heavyweight champion Larry Holmes; 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.

Nicknamed "Jinx", which spawned the nickname of his straight right hand, "The Spinks Jinx", 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 10 successful title defenses, Spinks moved up to heavyweight, and as an underdog defeated long-reigning IBF heavyweight champion Larry Holmes; 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.

Date Opponent Last Opponents' Results Place Titles Result
June 27, 1988 Mike Tyson WWWWWW Convention Hall, Atlantic City LOSS
KO
June 15, 1987 Gerry Cooney WWLWWW Convention Center, Atlantic City Advertised as for World heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
Sept. 6, 1986 Steffen Tangstad WWLWWW Las Vegas Hilton, Hilton Center, Las Vegas International Boxing Federation World Heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
April 19, 1986 Larry Holmes WWWWWL Las Vegas Hilton, Hilton Center, Las Vegas International Boxing Federation World Heavyweight

WIN
Split-decision
Sept. 21, 1985 Larry Holmes WWWWWW Riviera Hotel & Casino, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas International Boxing Federation World Heavyweight

WIN
Unanimous decision
June 6, 1985 Jim MacDonald WWWWWW Riviera Hotel & Casino, SuperStar Center, Las Vegas International Boxing Federation World Light Heavyweight

World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

World Boxing Council World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
Feb. 23, 1985 David Sears WWWDWW Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City International Boxing Federation World Light Heavyweight

World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

World Boxing Council World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
Feb. 25, 1984 Eddie Davis WLWWWW Resorts International, Atlantic City International Boxing Federation World Light Heavyweight

(supervisor: Robert Lee)World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

(supervisor: Alberto Aleman Jr.)World Boxing Council World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Unanimous decision
Nov. 25, 1983 Oscar Rivadeneyra WWWWW Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

World Boxing Council World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
March 18, 1983 Dwight Muhammad Qawi WWWWWW Convention Center, Atlantic City World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

World Boxing Council World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Unanimous decision
Sept. 18, 1982 Johnny Davis LWLWWW Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
June 12, 1982 Jerry Celestine WWWWWW Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
April 11, 1982 Murray Sutherland WLWWWW Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
Feb. 13, 1982 Mustafa Wasajja WWWWWW Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Technical knockout
Nov. 7, 1981 Vonzell Johnson WWWWWL Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
July 18, 1981 Eddie Mustafa Muhammad WWWWWL Imperial Palace Hotel, Las Vegas World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight

WIN
Unanimous decision
March 28, 1981 Marvin Johnson WWLWWW Resorts International, Atlantic City WIN
KO
Jan. 24, 1981 Willie Taylor LLLLWL Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia WIN
Technical knockout
Oct. 18, 1980 Yaqui Lopez WWLWWL Convention Center, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
Aug. 2, 1980 David Conteh WWLLWL Centroplex, Baton Rouge WIN
Technical knockout
May 4, 1980 Murray Sutherland WWWWWW Kiamesha Lake WIN
Unanimous decision
Feb. 24, 1980 Ramon Ranquello WWLWWW Resorts International, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
Feb. 1, 1980 Johnny Wilburn LLWLWL Louisville Gardens, Louisville WIN
Unanimous decision
Nov. 24, 1979 Marc Hans LWLWWL Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington WIN
Technical knockout
Dec. 15, 1978 Eddie Phillips LWLWLL Westchester County Center, White Plains WIN
KO
Feb. 15, 1978 Tom Bethea DWLLLL Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas WIN
Unanimous decision
Oct. 22, 1977 Gary Summerhays WWLLLL Aladdin Theater, Las Vegas WIN
Unanimous decision
Sept. 13, 1977 Ray Elson WWLWWW Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles WIN
KO
Aug. 23, 1977 Jasper Brisbane DWWWWW Spectrum, Philadelphia WIN
Technical knockout
June 1, 1977 Joe Borden WWWWW Forum, Montreal WIN
KO
May 7, 1977 Luis Rodriguez WWWLLW Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis WIN
Unanimous decision
April 16, 1977 Eddie Benson LWLLLW The Aladdin, Las Vegas WIN
Technical knockout