R.I.P. Leon Spinks

L

LAS VEGAS WOW

EOG Member
FORMER MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES MARINES .He travelled to Las Vegas in his later years for medical treatment at the VA hospital on Pecos Rd.
 
Viejo Dinosaur

Viejo Dinosaur

EOG Master
I was stationed with Leon and his brother Micheal in 1975 in North Carolina....they were always at the gym with special services...watched them spar a lot....
 
John Kelly

John Kelly

Born Gambler
Staff member
Leon Spinks fought Muhammad Ali twice in 1978.

The February bout took place at the Las Vegas Hilton and the September rematch was staged at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Spinks upset Ali in February and Ali restored order in September.

Ali was -250 in the rematch.

Searching for the price on the first fight.
 
A

ArneK.

EOG Enthusiast
Newspaper stories before and after the fight say that Ali was such a prohibitive favorite that Las Vegas bookmakers didn't bother to post a betting line. Other stories cited Spinks as a 10/1 underdog, but this seems to be merely a ballpark figure. The Hilton didn't yet have a sportsbook. The biggest bets would have been made at the El Cortez which was the only property in town that pursued action from boxing fans.

A bit of trivia: Ali-Spinks I was a complete sellout (announced attendance 5,298). Ali-Spinks II was NOT a complete sellout (announced attendance 63,417).

In Ali's "fight" immediately preceding his date with Spinks, he knocked out Superman in an oversized comic book. As always, the late, great LA Times sportswriter Jim Murray had the best metaphor. Previewing Ali-Spinks I, he said this fight has as much intrigue as the main course on a Thanksgiving Day menu. (Oops.)
 
B

boston massacre

EOG Master
ArneK. said:
Newspaper stories before and after the fight say that Ali was such a prohibitive favorite that Las Vegas bookmakers didn't bother to post a betting line. Other stories cited Spinks as a 10/1 underdog, but this seems to be merely a ballpark figure. The Hilton didn't yet have a sportsbook. The biggest bets would have been made at the El Cortez which was the only property in town that pursued action from boxing fans.

A bit of trivia: Ali-Spinks I was a complete sellout (announced attendance 5,298). Ali-Spinks II was NOT a complete sellout (announced attendance 63,417).

In Ali's "fight" immediately preceding his date with Spinks, he knocked out Superman in an oversized comic book. As always, the late, great LA Times sportswriter Jim Murray had the best metaphor. Previewing Ali-Spinks I, he said this fight has as much intrigue as the main course on a Thanksgiving Day menu. (Oops.)
Click to expand...



What Section of The Las Vegas Hilton Did They Use For Their Fights Back Then ?

They've Staged Some Big Ones over The Years.

1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Meldrick Taylor Fought Julio Ceasar Chavez There.

Taylor was Ahead on All Scorecards Going into Last Round.

Referee Richard Steele Stopped The Fight With 5 Seconds Left.

Saying Taylor Couldn't Continue.
 
A

ArneK.

EOG Enthusiast
They called the arena the Hilton Pavilion and it was a new addition to the hotel.

Here's another bit of loose trivia: The blow-by-blow man for Ali-Spinks I on CBS was Brent Musberger. I wonder if the boys at VSIN know that?
 
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