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Michael Spinks

Michael Spinks held the IBF and The Ring heavyweight world titles and the WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring light heavyweight world titles between 1981 and 1988. Spinks was the undisputed light heavyweight world champion from 1983 to 1985. Spinks was the first IBF light heavyweight world champion. Spinks's highest place in The Ring's annual pound for pound ratings was No. 2, in 1987.

World title bouts
16
Record in world title bouts (won–lost)
15–1
World titles held
6
Longest world title reign (WBA light heavyweight, 1981–1985)
4 years, 2 months

World title reigns and bouts

Jan 1981 – Jan 1989

HeavyweightWBA
WBC
IBF
The Ring
Light HeavyweightWBA
WBC
IBF
The Ring
1981age 241982age 251983age 261984age 271985age 281986age 291987age 301988age 311989age 32
1982198419861988

WonLostDrawn or no contest

Timeline of world title events

  1. 1988

  2. Mike Tyson beats Michael Spinks via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  3. 1987

  4. The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks the heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

    The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks No. 2 pound for pound in its annual ratings

  5. Michael Spinks beats Gerry Cooney via knockout 5/15

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  6. Michael Spinks’s reign as the IBF heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · IBF

  7. 1986

  8. The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks the heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

  9. Michael Spinks beats Steffen Tangstad via knockout 4/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The Ring

  10. Michael Spinks beats Larry Holmes via split decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The Ring

  11. 1985

  12. The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks the heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

  13. Michael Spinks beats Larry Holmes via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The Ring

  14. Michael Spinks beats Jim MacDonald via knockout 8/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  15. Michael Spinks beats David Sears via knockout 3/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  16. 1984

  17. The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks the light heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

  18. Michael Spinks beats Eddie Davis via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  19. 1983

  20. The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks the light heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

  21. Michael Spinks beats Oscar Rivadeneyra via knockout 10/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  22. Michael Spinks beats Dwight Muhammad Qawi via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  23. 1982

  24. The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks No. 1 at light heavyweight in its annual ratings

  25. Michael Spinks beats Johnny Davis via knockout 9/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA

  26. Michael Spinks beats Jerry Celestine via knockout 8/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA

  27. Michael Spinks beats Murray Sutherland via knockout 8/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA

  28. Michael Spinks beats Mustafa Wasajja via knockout 6/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA

  29. 1981

  30. The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks No. 1 at light heavyweight in its annual ratings

  31. Michael Spinks beats Vonzell Johnson via knockout 7/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA

  32. Michael Spinks beats Eddie Mustafa Muhammad via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA

  33. 1980

  34. The Ring magazine rates Michael Spinks No. 2 at light heavyweight in its annual ratings