On February 15, 1978, a 24-year-old Leon Spinks (6-0-1, 5 KOs) got a shot at the undisputed heavyweight championship held by 36-year-old Muhammad Ali (55-2, 37 KOs).
Spinks came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 71% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 28 days. Ali was on a 14-fight win streak with a 64% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 17 days.
Leon Spinks defeated Muhammad Ali via split decision and wins the WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight world champion — and becomes the undisputed heavyweight world champion — in his first world-title fight. Spinks improves his record to 7-0-1, while Ali adds a loss to his record at 55-3.
On January 12, 1980, a 26-year-old Leon Spinks (7-2-1, 5 KOs) and a 25-year-old Uruguayan boxer Alfredo Evangelista (32-4-2, 25 KOs) met in the ring.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 2-fight losing streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 19 days. Evangelista was on a 7-fight win streak with a 65% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 1 month and 4 days.
Leon Spinks stopped Alfredo Evangelista via KO in the 5th round. Spinks improves his record to 8-2-1 (6 KOs), while Evangelista adds a loss to his record at 32-5-2.
On September 15, 1978, Leon Spinks and Muhammad Ali met again in an immediate rematch.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 62% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 7 months. Ali was on a -1-fight win streak with a 63% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 7 months.
Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks via unanimous decision in the rematch and wins the WBA and The Ring titles. Ali improves his record to 56-3, while Spinks adds a loss to his record at 7-1-1.
On October 2, 1980, a 27-year-old Leon Spinks (9-2-2, 7 KOs) and Bernardo Mercado met in the ring.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 53% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 29 days.
Leon Spinks stopped Bernardo Mercado via TKO in the 9th round. Spinks improves his record to 10-2-2 (8 KOs)
On October 31, 1982, a 29-year-old Leon Spinks (11-3-2, 8 KOs) and Jesse Burnett met in the ring in a cruiserweight bout.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 8 months and 7 days.
Leon Spinks defeated Jesse Burnett via unanimous decision in the 12-round cruiserweight fight. Spinks improves his record to 12-3-2
On December 11, 1992, a 39-year-old Leon Spinks (23-13-3, 13 KOs) and Kevin Poindexter met in the ring.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 33% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 15 days.
Leon Spinks stopped Kevin Poindexter via KO in the 1st round. Spinks improves his record to 24-13-3 (14 KOs)
On May 7, 1977, a 23-year-old Leon Spinks (3-0, 3 KOs) and Pedro Agosto met in the ring.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 17 days.
Leon Spinks stopped Pedro Agosto via KO in the 1st round. Spinks improves his record to 4-0 (4 KOs)
On March 20, 1977, a 23-year-old Leon Spinks (2-0, 2 KOs) and Jerry McIntyre met in the ring.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 15 days.
Leon Spinks stopped Jerry McIntyre via KO in the 1st round. Spinks improves his record to 3-0 (3 KOs)
On March 5, 1977, a 23-year-old Leon Spinks (1-0, 1 KO) and Peter Freeman met in the ring.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 18 days.
Leon Spinks stopped Peter Freeman via KO in the 1st round. Spinks improves his record to 2-0 (2 KOs)
On April 9, 1985, a 31-year-old Leon Spinks (13-4-2, 9 KOs) and Rick Kellar met in the ring.
Spinks came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 47% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 19 days.
Leon Spinks stopped Rick Kellar via TKO in the 2nd round. Spinks improves his record to 14-4-2 (10 KOs)