SPORTSCLOPEDIA 60: 35 YEARS AGO, TYSON DESTROYS SPINKS IN 91 SECONDS ON JUNE 27, 1988
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Jun 2023
Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks was dubbed as Once and For All, was fought on June 27, 1988. Before the match, both Tyson and Spinks were undefeated and each fighter was named as the legitimate heavyweight champion. Tyson was the champion of all three of the major boxing organizations (WBA, WBC, and IBF) while Spinks was The Ring magazine champion, claimed to be "The People's Champion," and was regarded by sports media as the lineal champion.
* * *
Tyson was already considered by several boxing experts as the undisputed heavyweight champion and was a devastating knockout artist. Spinks was also undefeated and became the first light heavyweight to move up and became heavyweight honors by convincingly winning over Ring, IBF and lineal champion Larry Holmes in September 1985. Spinks retained those titles on a controversial decision in a rematch.
* * *
Spinks refused to face unbeaten contender Tony Tucker so he was stripped of the IBF title. Instead, he chose to fight Gerry Cooney, whom he stopped in the fifth round. Meanwhile, Tucker defeated Buster Douglas for the vacant IBF crown. Tyson then outpointed Tucker to win his third boxing organization title, but the showdown with Spinks remained the clamor of the boxing world.
* * *
The Tyson-Spinks superfight was held at the Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey U.S. During that time, the match was the richest fight in the history of boxing, earning some $70 million in revenues, where Tyson earned a record breaking purse of $22 million and Spinks received $13.5 million.
* * *
"Iron" Mike Tyson was from Catskill, New York, U.S., had a pre-fight record of 34–0 (30 KOs). He stood 5 ft 10 in (178 cm), weighed 218 1⁄4 lbs, and had an Orthodox style.
* * *
Michael "Jinx" Spinks was from St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. had a pre-fight record of 31–0 (21 KOs). He stood 6 ft 2 1⁄2 in (189 cm), weighed 212 1⁄4 lbs, and had an Orthodox style.
* * *
Tyson attacked Spinks at the sound of the opening bell, connecting a thundering left hook in the first ten seconds forcing Spinks to clinch. He was pinned on the ropes by a flurry from Tyson. cornered him and landed a left uppercut and right hand combination to the body and Spinks took a knee after receiving the hard blows. It was only the second time that Spinks was knocked down in his professional career.
* * *
Spinks rose at the count of four. Tyson delivered another left hook with a short right to the chin which sent Spinks down to the canvas again. This time Spinks could not get up as referee Frank Cappuccino counted him out. The fight was over after 91 seconds, and it was the sixth shortest heavyweight title fight in history. In a short time, only ten punches were landed, Tyson connected eight punches, and Spinks two. The round was named round of the year for 1988 by Ring Magazine.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Canelo vs. Munguia: Mexican Standoff on Saturday
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 04 May 2024Jason Moloney: Australia’s Road Warrior Hits Tokyo
Sat, 04 May 2024Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol Undisputed Light Heavyweight Title Showdown Postponed Due to Beterbiev Training Injury
Sat, 04 May 2024PSL Davao semi-finals on May 4
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 04 May 2024WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: CANELO - 166.8 LBS., MUNGUIA - 167.4 LBS.
Sat, 04 May 2024Jayson Mama to fight in East Timor
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 03 May 2024Pacers Oust Bucks, Will Meet Knicks; New York Boots Out Philadelpia
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 03 May 2024May 18: Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk UNDISPUTED Heavyweight Title Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV
Fri, 03 May 2024JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST CODY CROWLEY AT WELLS FARGO CENTER ON JULY 13
Fri, 03 May 2024Sanman to help Samal Paddlers in dragon boat
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 03 May 20242024 Kiddies Chess Championships today
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 03 May 2024Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs Jaimie Mungia (Fight Analysis)
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 03 May 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA AND GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO RETURN TO TURNING STONE FOR INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Fri, 03 May 2024“Redemption Road: The Path Back to Glory” Debuts SUNDAY Ahead of Lomachenko-Kambosos Lightweight Title Showdown
Fri, 03 May 2024Star Boxing’s super welterweight contender Wendy Toussaint will travel to the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa to take on Shervantaigh Koopman
Fri, 03 May 2024