Leon Spinks V Eddie Lopez, revisited.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 23 Nov 2003, 10:13

I've just watched for the first time the Leon Spinks v Eddie 'The Animal' Lopez fight from 1981. Spinks was on the comeback trail after his loses to Ali and Gerrie Coatzee and the durable Lopez was his next step towards another title shot.

It was an entertaining fight, bit of a brawl but enjoyable, both fighters were in good shape and showed plenty of heart and determination. Spinks showed some classy looking combinations at times but couldn't really hurt the then durable Lopez whom kept pushing forward and had Spinks trapped on the ropes from time to time.

It was a very close and evenly fought fight, with lots of entertaining in-fighting. However Spinks could have made life easier for himself by using his (at times) stiff jab, but either couldn't or wouldn't instead of standing his ground and trading with Lopez.

The fight was announced a draw, but I had it 97-94 to Leon Spinks, this however includes the point taken off Lopez by Milles Lane in the 5th for a head butt.

Has anyone else seen this fight? Was the verdict deemed contovercial by the press or fans?

Any info fight fans? 8)

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 23 Nov 2003, 18:06

I ve got the fight too and agree that it's a cracker. Leon is much maligned sadly, but if you watch a few of his fights you'll see that he was a really damn good fighter with a great come forward style and also deceptively fast hands. People these days tend to forget that before he beat Ali Leon was an excellent amuter who won many titles.... who knows what he may have done if he hadn't had it all too fast and too early.... his people didn't look after him.
His fights vs Bernardo Mercado and Jesse Burnett are great scraps too... as also is his later fight with Tex Cobb.... although both were well past their bast in this fight.
Sorry to digress but I ve always been a fan of Leon!.....

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 24 Nov 2003, 08:49

silkov wrote:I ve got the fight too and agree that it's a cracker. Leon is much maligned sadly, but if you watch a few of his fights you'll see that he was a really damn good fighter with a great come forward style and also deceptively fast hands. People these days tend to forget that before he beat Ali Leon was an excellent amuter who won many titles.... who knows what he may have done if he hadn't had it all too fast and too early.... his people didn't look after him.
His fights vs Bernardo Mercado and Jesse Burnett are great scraps too... as also is his later fight with Tex Cobb.... although both were well past their bast in this fight.
Sorry to digress but I ve always been a fan of Leon!.....

YES at last another Leon fan

.

I agree with you that it's sad when people look at Leons record and laugh, as an amateur Leon was a very strong, high octaine fighter who won many titles and beat a lot of good fighters. I have a few of Leons amatuer fights on tape and he was impressive, they are before he went to the Olympics and the way the commontaters were talking they seemed to regard him a much better fighter at that time than Micheal.

Fighters with no talent do not win Olympic gold, Leon was badly handled as a Pro but the buck has to stop with Leon himself, he never seemed to have the maturity and dedication for the bright lights of the Pro game. Some of the fighters he went on to lose to KP Porter, John Carlo etc... it's so sad.

Anyway, I also have Spinks - Cobb fight which is good fun as well although they could have both done with dropping 20lbs. I also have Leons lose to Coetzee, to me Leon just got caught cold by a good puncher, it's happened to better fighters than Leon. I also have his lose to Qawi which is painfull to watch, Qawi was then an armour plated thrashing machine and I had heard that Leon weighed 15.4lbs in his previos fight, thats a lot of weight to lose and then go toe to toe with 'The Candem Buzzsaw'.

I wonder were Leon is now?

Riddick Bowie · Post by **Riddick Bowie** » 24 Nov 2003, 09:52

he runs a bar in chicago with his wife.

when re-watching spinks -ali again on my mint original copy (haha) i too was impressed by how good he was.

had he been developed more, could have been a hell of a tough basatrd to beat. million times better than a john ruiz.

most boxing fans just follow what they are told to think of fighters.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 24 Nov 2003, 10:41

Yeah, ...people shouldn't hold the Coetzee result against Leon as Gerrie was a great puncher... also not many people ever comment that just before Coetzee nailed him Spinks seemed to have hurt Gerrie with a right hand. I think a lot of Leons troubles stem from his unhappy childhood.... from what I ve read over the years it seems that he had a terrible and abusive childhood... I know Micheal had the same upbringing but different people handle these sorts of backgrounds differently. Another mayjor factor I think is the abuse Leon recieved from the press after he beat Ali.... he wasn't given any respect in his moment of glory and I think this made him sort of think 'well to hell with it!'.
From the interviews I ve read of him, including some very interesting ones post both Ali fights I think far from being stupid as many have said over the years, Leon is actually very wise and sensitive and deserves a lot more respect than most people give him.... although having said that I know from my dealing with a lot of fellow boxing fans that many hold a soft spot for Leon.