From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Spinks
(born on
July 13
,
1956
) is a retired
American
boxer
. He was the
light heavyweight
and
heavyweight
champion of the world.
Spinks was a member of the
1976
United States
Olympics
team and won a
gold medal
in the boxing competition. He became a professional boxer in 1977 and won the light heavyweight championship in 1981.
[1]
In 1985 he fought heavyweight champion
Larry Holmes
and beat him for the title. It was the first time a light heavyweight champion had become heavyweight champion. He beat Holmes again in a rematch and defended his title another two times before losing to
Mike Tyson
in 1988. He never fought again.
Michael Spinks is the brother of heavyweight champion
Leon Spinks
.