Leon Spinks Professional Boxing Record Overview
Leon Spinks compiled a professional record of 26 wins, 17 losses, and 3 draws, with 14 wins by knockout, according to BoxRec and the International Boxing Research Organization. His career spanned from 1977 to 1995, featuring a mix of title fights, high-profile bouts, and late-career comebacks. His record reflects a peak as a dominant heavyweight champion followed by a steep decline after losses to Larry Holmes and Ken Norton.
The official record is tracked by major databases such as BoxRec and the Boxing Hall of Fame, which list his lineal championship reign and unified title wins. His win-loss ratio and knockout percentage are often cited in discussions of the greatest heavyweight champions of the 1970s. The record also includes notable wins over Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton, which shaped his legacy despite the later losses.
Key Titles and Milestones in Leon Spinks Career
Leon Spinks won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 by defeating Muhammad Ali in their first bout, capturing the WBA, WBC, and The Ring magazine titles. He successfully defended the undisputed title once before losing it to Larry Holmes in 1978, marking the shortest reign for a first-time heavyweight champion in the three-belt era. His title run is documented by the World Boxing Association and the Boxing Hall of Fame.
His career includes multiple regional and international titles, such as the United States Boxing Association heavyweight championship and wins in international exhibitions. The timeline of his title fights is often referenced by boxing historians and media outlets like ESPN and The Ring to contextualize his peak years. The record also includes a controversial loss to Ali in their rematch, which remains one of the most analyzed bouts in heavyweight history.
Leon Spinks Record Against Top Opponents
Record vs Muhammad Ali and Other Champions
Leon Spinks holds a 1-2 record against Muhammad Ali, including his historic 1978 title win and two subsequent losses in their rematches. His record against other all-time greats includes wins over Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, both of whom were former or future champions. These victories are often highlighted in all-time pound-for-pound lists and heavyweight rankings.
Record vs Contenders and Gatekeepers
Leon Spinks faced several top contenders and gatekeepers such as Larry Holmes, Ken Norton, and Greg Page, compiling mixed results against them. His losses to Holmes and Norton are often cited as turning points that ended his title contention. The record against these fighters is tracked by BoxRec and used in modern analytics to evaluate his era's competitive landscape.
Record vs Later Career Opponents
In his later career, Leon Spinks faced a mix of journeymen and aging champions, with a record that includes several losses and draws. His late-career performance is often referenced to illustrate the physical decline common in heavyweight boxing. These later bouts are documented by databases such as BoxRec and the International Boxing Research Organization.
Record vs International Opponents
Leon Spinks fought several international opponents, including European and Latin American champions, with a record that reflects his global appeal. His bouts outside the United States are often cited in discussions of his career breadth. These fights are tracked by transnational boxing organizations and major databases.
For more detailed statistics and fight-by-fight breakdowns, visit the official BoxRec profile for Leon Spinks BoxRec Leon Spinks and the Boxing Hall of Fame records Boxing Hall of Fame.