Michael Born: July 22, 1956 Leon Born: July 11, 1953
St. Louis-born boxers Michael and Leon Spinks made history in 1976 as the first brothers to win Olympic gold medals in the same year. They later became the first brothers to win the world heavyweight championship as pros. In 1981 Michael won the WBA light heavyweight title and in 1983 began his reign as the undisputed world light heavyweight champion. He moved up to the heavyweight class in 1985 and won the world heavyweight championship. Powered by his “Spinks Jinx” dynamite right hand, he won 31 of 32 fights, 21 by knockout. Leon Spinks, in just his 8th pro fight, became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in 1978. His defeat of Muhammad Ali for the crown was one of the most monumental upsets in boxing history.
