REST IN PEACE, CHAMP
I WAS so sorry to hear of Leon Spinks’ death. I met him in 2006, at a tribute night for Muhammad Ali in London. “The Greatest” wasn’t there, but several of his opponents were, and it was a great evening.
Spinks was clearly in a bad way – his speech was slurred, and he needed help to walk. Some time before, my younger daughter had given me Stephen Brunt’s book, Facing Ali, and I thought it would be nice to get it signed by as many of Ali’s opponents as possible.
I was a bit diffident about offering it to Spinks, but he took the book, and the pen, and carefully inscribed an ‘X’. Then, after a perfectly judged pause, he gave me a huge grin and wrote “Leon Spinks” in a bold, clear hand. Whatever his physical state, he still had his marbles – and his sense of humour.
I always felt it was a shame that Spinks fought for – and won – the world heavyweight title in only his eighth pro bout. He fought an inspired fight against an out-of-condition Ali – and, having got to the top, there really was no going back. Ali of course trounced him in the return, but the damage was done – Spinks was now a top-level fighter.
If he had been brought along more slowly, and not bid for the big time until he had had around 20 bouts, then who knows?
That said, I always felt Spinks’ come-forward style was made for Larry Holmes, and I was surprised that several experts made their 1981 WBC title bout a tough call for Holmes.
I thought it would be a case of a rowing boat throwing itself on rocks, and wasn’t at all surprised when Holmes won in three rounds.
Now his troubled life is over. Rest in peace, champ. Simon Euan-smith PASS THE TEQUILA! AFTER a short break, boxing makes a welcome return in the UK this weekend. Matchroom’s first domestic card of 2021 sees featherweight supremo Josh Warrington headlining. A week later, across the Atlantic, Top Rank are serving up an all-mexican battle, as Miguel Berc helt defends his WBC 130lb belt against Oscar Valdez. This title has seen some of the greatest Mexican civil wars throughout the years of its existence, including Julio Cesar Chavez vs Mario Martinez, Marco Antonio Barrera vs Erik Morales and, more recently, Berc helt vs Francisco Vargas. All of these fights delivered classic toe-to-toe action.
Perhaps in the future Warrington will face off against the winner of Ber chelt vs Valdez or another Mexican in Emanuel Navarrete – what a prospect given Josh’s all-action style. Pass the tequila! James Ingleby