By 1986, the luster of Leon Spinks’ shocking upset title win over Muhammad Ali in 1978 had faded. After losing the Ali rematch and suffering KO losses to Gerri Coetzee and Larry Holmes at heavyweight, Spinks decided to try his luck at cruiserweight.
Spinks amassed a respectable 7-1 record at that weight and picked up a few marginal belts before being fed to the “Camden Buzzsaw,” Dwight Muhammad Qawi.
All of 5’5, the fearsome ex-con had served hard time for armed robbery at Rahway State Prison, and even fought a professional bout inside the penitentiary. Built like a tank and with the mentality of a Joe Frazier, Qawi had won a portion of the light-heavyweight crown before being outpointed by Michael Spinks in 1983.
Now a cruiserweight, Qawi took out brutal revenge on the lesser talented Spinks brother. Reportedly, Leon’s problems were compounded when he weakened himself by coming into the bout at 190 pounds instead of his more comfortable 195.
Early on, it was apparent that Spinks had no movement and was a sitting duck on the inside for the relentless Qawi. With a sinister smile on his face, Qawi rained down flush right hands and left hooks on Spinks, who could do little but eat all the punishment.
During the 6th round, referee Mills Lane mercifully stopped the contest and likely saved Spinks from suffering permanent damage.
Qawi would lose his WBA title in his very next bout against a young Evander Holyfield in the last classic 15 round fight. In the rematch, a now declining Qawi suffered a 4th round KO in 1987, and then lost by TKO to a comebacking George Foreman in a valiant effort. He would retire with a final record of 41-11-1, 25 KOs, and get inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.
Leon Spinks would never again challenge for a major title, and went 9-12-1 before finally retiring in 1995 with a record of 26-17-3. His son Cory Spinks would go on to win the undisputed welterweight championship and titles at junior middleweight.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 