Free Republic

Leon Spinks – who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight – has died. He was 67. Spinks, who lived his later years in Las Vegas, died on Friday night, according to a release from a public relations firm. He had contracted prostate and other cancers. His wife, Brenda Glur Spinks, and a few close friends and other family members were by his side when he died. A much-loved heavyweight with a drinking problem, Spinks beat Ali by decision in a 12-round fight...

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MIDDLEWEIGHT KINGS GO SLUMMING? by William Dettloff For those inclined to believe that a good big man will beat a good little man every time, the announcement that the middleweight champion is facing a welter or junior middleweight champ moving up is never good news. It means to him that the middleweight is slumming a bit, taking on a man whom he knows he will beat. Alas, many fans feel this way and groan instantly at the news. Unkind words will follow for the middleweight, who, the thinking goes, is most assuredly sinking to new, modern lows...