Leon Spinks: Beloved by Millions of Boxing Fans – Major Medical Update

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By “Big” Bill Bradshaw

In the process of researching this article, it came as some surprise to discover that Leon Spinks, the man who beat THE man, had almost as many losses on his record as he had victories. The first heavyweight title bout that I ever saw live on T.V was the September 1978 rematch between Spinks and Ali. I was aware, of course, that Spinks had dethroned Ali in February of the same year but I hadn’t seen the fight. Spinks never looked like troubling the ‘in-shape’ Ali in the rematch but it seemed as if a glorious career awaited. Let’s not forget that the Missouri man had only 7 pro fights under his belt when he shocked the world and the September loss still left Spinks in boxing’s elite with a fledgling record of just 6-1-1. So, whatever happened to Leon Spinks?

Catapulted to fame after only 18 months as a pro, Spinks enjoyed the high life. There was little in the way of gradual evolution for the fighter tagged ‘Neon’ and there were few around him to advise him well. He had voiced concerns about his place in the Heavyweight division and felt he should move to the far less applauded Cruiserweight ranks. It would seem that there wasn’t too much more to be squeezed out of Spinks and those around him partied for as long as it last. In his next bout, Gerrie Coetzee pounded him to the canvas three times in the first round before the referee waved in with compassion. His next few fights were a mixed bag and he was destroyed by Larry Holmes in 1981.

The move to Cruiserweight was not the remedy that Spinks had hoped it would be and he participated in several ‘Boxer Vs Wrestler’ bouts in the early 80’s. He took a horrendous beating at the hands of Cruiser king Dwight Muhammad Qawi and the bout was remembered for the unnecessary humiliation inflicted upon Spinks. He retired from the sport many times but hard times forced him back and the losses just kept on stacking up. In 1994 he lost by KO to John Carlo who was making his pro debut and the following year, at 42, he lost an 8 round decision to Fred Houpe who was coming off a seventeen-year hiatus. The game was well and truly up and, for the final time, so were the boxing gloves.

I remembered hearing many years ago that Spinks was working in a bar in New York. It may have been true. He trawled through all manner of odd jobs. At one point there seemed to be a commentary slot opened to him by Extreme Championship Wrestling. It could have had novelty value while it lasted but, according to Pro Wrestler Mick Foley, nothing ever came of it, as Spinks’ lone appearance at an ECW show resulted in him vomiting in a drunken stupor. He toured as part of an autograph show but that ran its course within a year. He later became a greeter at the Chicago restaurant owned by American Football coach Mike Ditka but that didn’t work out either.

Spells of homelessness and hard drinking followed and the former champ slipped further away from the world that had cheered his name all those years earlier. Salvation, of sorts, came through his wife Brenda, who stood by him when no one else did. Brenda brought Spinks back from the brink and they share her apartment in the small town of Columbus, Nebraska. He works there as a cleaner for the YMCA on $5.15 an hour and unloads trucks at McDonalds to make ends meet. He is also a volunteer at the homeless shelters and signs autographs for those that will ask.

In 2010, the Neon Leon gave an interview to boxing columnist Jeff Powell. The interview was conducted in a New York bar and, as the afternoon passed by, word filtered out that the great man was in town. The bar began to fill up with fans and well wishers and Powell said that by evening “Spinks charmed the after-theatre crowd – three off-duty NYPD cops among them – with his tales of derring-do in the ring and his repertoire of jokes…. all while sinking double shots of the finest cognac chased down by bottles of beer. Still a champion drinker, at coming up 57 next month”.

During the interview, however, it became apparent that Dementia was setting in. Spinks words were slurred and he was unsteady on his feet…his memory had lost its edge and, very often, he would look to Brenda to respond for him. He did say that he dreamed of meeting with Ali again…one more time before death or dementia took them for good. When asked of Ali, he replied “We ain’t spoken for 15 years maybe longer. Dunno why. Always loved the man. Never seemed to be no hard feelings on either side. Maybe its just our paths ain’t crossed. We oughta get it back on together…. sooner not later”. In 2012, he told a reporter his life is “comfortable”, and that he keeps a low profile. “I love helping the kids,” he says.

Leon Spinks underwent abdominal surgery on the weekend of 11th-12th October 2014. Due to complications arising from the surgery, Spinks health took a turn for the worst and, in the words of his close friend Tony Orlando “Leon is now fighting the greatest fight of his life”. Orlando asked for prayers for Spinks and The Fight Fans Corner will ask for the same. Our thoughts are with Leon and his family at this time and we pray that he will make a full recovery. In a year where Muhammad Ali’s brother has announced that ‘The Greatest’ can no longer speak and reports from Australia are that Joe Bugner recently suffered a heart attack, this update on the Leon Spinks story is yet another tragic footnote on the golden era of heavyweight boxing.

(CEO/Publisher Note: I just spoke to Leon’s wife Brenda today and this is the message to Leon’s fans around the world in her own words.)

We are very thankful! We appreciate all the prayers from all over the world! We Praise God! The Lord has definitely been in our corner. The reason Leon is winning this fight. Rehab is the next step. Leon was very fortunate to have an incredible medical team of surgeons & an excellent medical staff of many that are taking very good care of him. The Love & Prayers have played a huge role in Leon’s recovery. Leon himself says thank you for giving him the strength to come through this. We sincerely appreciate your support. A Very Heartfelt Thank You to all of you….Team Leon Spinks!