Does Ali need Leon Spinks?

[Emon723]

Leon spinks was just 6-0-1, why did Ali had to fought him, is leon, the olympic gold medalists that so special, I find it unusual for a man who's legacy is secured and widely considered the greatest HW of all time, took on a guy starting as a pro, well, I mean larry holmes was ready for a title shot, and if ken norton gave larry his toughest fights, would Ali fared better vs holmes in 78' than he did in 1980. i think those 30 rounds with leon spinks plus his last fight with berbick also contributed to the sad state that Ali's health is in right now with parkinsons disease.

[Southpaw Stinger]

I think Ali was just looking for an easy defense, particulary after the Shavers fight. Leon was a known name because of his olympic accomplishments so it would be a marketable fight. Obviously Ali didn't take Neon Leon very seriously as he came in overweight and ill prepared.

[joeytrimble]

if ali hadnt fought leon he wouldnt have been the first ever heavyweight champ to regain the title 3 times and beat 3 olympic gold medalest to do it

some can say leon is a huge corner stone in alis building of work

[SABBATH]

I think Ali was just looking for an easy defense, particulary after the Shavers fight. Leon was a known name because of his olympic accomplishments so it would be a marketable fight. Obviously Ali didn't take Neon Leon very seriously as he came in overweight and ill prepared.

After Ali-Shavers, Ali was talking about retiring so Butch Lewis who worked for Top Rank and promoted Spinks approached Ali and asked for a title fight for Leon who was 5-0 at the time.

Ali turned it down due to the inexperience of Spinks so Leon fought Scott Ledoux instead. After watching Spinks look unimpressive in his draw with Ledoux, Ali saw an easy payday with a promotional angle for fighting and beating another gold medal winner (Floyd Patterson, Joe Frazier, George Foreman). In order for the WBC to sanction athe fight, Spinks had to be in the top 10 so he faced Alfio Righetti, beat him on points got the top 10 ranking and Ali-Spinks was a go.

[joeytrimble]

good ol sanctioning bodys

[SABBATH]

good ol sanctioning bodys

Righetti was in the top 10 at the time, so to be fair, Leon deserved a top 10 ranking with his win.

[brownpimp88]

Ali is 56-5 but he has had many shady fights. His 3rd fight with norton and his fight with jimmy young were considered gift decisions. He looked like crap against shavers, many think his 2nd fight with liston was a fix. Others believe that frazier should be 2-1 against ali too. All i can say is that ali is great but his paper record doesnt tell you how the fights really went down.

[RockyMarcianofan00]

Ali is 56-5 but he has had many shady fights. His 3rd fight with norton and his fight with jimmy young were considered gift decisions. He looked like crap against shavers, many think his 2nd fight with liston was a fix. Others believe that frazier should be 2-1 against ali too. All i can say is that ali is great but his paper record doesnt tell you how the fights really went down.

shhhhh Don't let the nuthuggers hear or they'll bran you an Ali hater like they did me

[Kid Achilles]

Pimp you don't like Ali, don't think much of Louis. What does your top ten heavyweight list look like?

[brownpimp88]

Pimp you don't like Ali, don't think much of Louis. What does your top ten heavyweight list look like?

Ali and Louis are on top cuz they accomplished the most. Then I have larry holmes at #3 cuz hes better than johnson, dempsey and marciano and i think he accomplished more than all 3. My top 10 looks something like this.

ali
louis
holmes
marciano- cuz hes undefeated, thats the only reason i put him here
lewis
foreman
frazier
holyfield
tyson
liston

That list is a mixture of accomplishments and head to head matchups. Jack Johnson doesnt deserve to be in it. If rid**** bowe was a ranked fighter for 3 more years and beat solid opponents, he would have made it.

Ali is lucky cuz he fought in the golden era, personally i think larry holmes is better than him. His jab is better and hes physically stronger, the only reason people say ali would beat him is cuz he's more popular. Larry is a bad matchup for Ali and everyone knows it.