Leon Spinks vs Jesse Burnett

[@MisterMitchMM]

Godspeed Leon. You fought hard. Rest In Peace.

[@jameshash9112]

116-114 or 6-4-2 in rounds for Jesse Burnett. When I saw this fight LIVE on CBS-TV back in 1982, I just knew the second I saw Carl King in Leon's corner at the beginning before punch one was thrown, that if there was a decision, Spinks would get it! But this decision STUNK so bad, that Daddy Don King was forced to give the W.B.C. title shot (against S.T. Gordon) to Jesse Burnett the following year. (And poor Leon was put in with a REAL crusierweight, Carlos DeLeon, was stopped in six for his efforts in 1983.)

[@billhodges3097]

Man, these guys fought their hearts out! What a fight

[@bennyadler5882]

Most avoided fighter at 175+ in 70’s. Unbelievably tactical style who frustrated everyone including Ken Norton who had Bill Slayton fire him from camp.

[@adamserafin4743]

Thank you very much coachstrout’s classic fights for this fight :-)

[@wilverdornell8]

Good fight. Thanks for the post.

[@samuelrobertson1567]

Though he fought bravely Spinx clearly lost. My heart goes out to Burnett. He handled that shit with class.

[@dmarcogordon2456]

Coach Jesse held the mitts for me for my first amateur fight

[@coachmark7858]

He was my coach at Broadway Boxing Gym in Los Angeles

[@bennyadler5882]

He’s a good man. Watched him many times in San Diego working corners.

[@danielmoses2440]

Was Earl McClure Jesse Burnetts’ first boxing coach before Jessie Reed? I ask because Earl McClure was giving tips in the corner to Jesse Burnett on using that cross arm shell defense.

[@bennyadler5882]

No. Jesse Reid, great trainer in his own right.

[@jrayner21679]

There’s some truth to watch Clancy said about Spink’s hair. Every time he took a descent punch that water spray made the punches appear to be stronger. It’s not his fault it’s just eye catching.

[@vincentfisher1603]

I miss Gil Clancy and this entire period of boxing.

[@Johnl1800]

From the New York Times, November 1, 1982: "The ring adventures of Leon Spinks resumed today when the former heavyweight champion was awarded a 12-round unanimous decision against Jesse Burnett, a 36-year-old former light-heavywight contender, for the vacant North American Boxing Federation cruiserweight title. After one of the most exciting fights of the year, it appeared that the three officials were in a distinct ringside minority when the decision for Spinks was announced and loudly booed. Referee Larry Hazzard scored it 116-114 for Spinks while the judges, Tom Kazmarek and John Steward, had it 117-112 and 116-113." If the judges had scored the fight the same way in favor of Burnett that would have been more in line with what was actually going on in the ring. The one card that had Spinks ahead 8-3-1 in rounds was a complete joke. The problem for Burnett was that coming into the fight at 36 years old and 14 losses he was seen as the less marketable of the two.

[@Onlyryda]

Better fight than expected.

[@harlemmarine1234]

Well i like the jelly curls...good fight champ

[@JapremeMagnetic7]

Good fight. 🥊☝🏿

[@gabeakagoat]

great stuff

[@melchorhernandez3941]

Great Fighters

[@bennyadler5882]

Notice how succinctly Jesse “pushes “ Lee away with the left elbow when Lee closes in? I just noticed Bobby Lewis and Slim Jim Robinson back there with Lee.

[@inhibited44]

Spinks was excellent, but when he fought heavyweight, the punches of those pros were too much for him to handle at his size.

[@peggywhite3477]

Amen Champ!!

[@wallacewellons8757]

Rip Leon spinks a great CHAMPION

[@patrickverona3098]

I had it 115-113 for Spinks. It was however a very close fight and a lot of the rounds were close. Spinks was clearly in the decline here as the guy that beat Ali in the fight fight would have walked through him. Great effort by both men.

[@SC-sc7dy]

I doubt it

[@Cefdfsacq]

I remember thinking Burnett won at the time….Jesse is so much slicker with his countering………but on repeat I scored for Leon 115-113 for steadier busier attack….and harder punching. Leon s jeri curl hair style exaggerates every shot he gets hit with…..even light shots. Very hard to score

[@MrGG1959]

Poor Jesse got shafted so many times during his career. His record is very deceiving. He should have had at least a half dozen more wins during his career.

[@alinadin]

Leon Spinks was not so good in fighting that why he couldn't match the great fighters like Larry Holmes

[@cornischeshemwell]

Jesse won that fight I'm coming to see you soon

[@Kap360]

Highway robbery.

[@gageboy14]

115-113 Spinks. Can make a case for Burnett by the same score but I thought Spinks pulled it out.

[@user-gi4sj9ig6t]

Spinks Very. Derte

[@emmahart4223]

The moldy doctor similarly muddle because cap reciprocally telephone mid a closed cement. rhetorical, relieved sandra