39 years ago

Date: 21st September 1985

Title: IBF World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Butch Lewis Productions, Dynamic Duo Inc, Don King Productions

Referee: Carlos Padilla

Tv: HBO

Larry Holmes
( 48 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 221 1/2 lbs

Michael Spinks
( 27 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 199 3/4 lbs

On September 21, 1985, Michael Spinks made history by stepping up from the light heavyweight division to challenge Larry Holmes for the IBF Heavyweight Title at the Riviera Hotel & Casino's Outdoor Arena in Las Vegas. Holmes entered the fight with an unblemished record of 48-0, one win away from tying Rocky Marciano's legendary mark of 49-0. Spinks, a significant underdog and reigning light heavyweight champion weighed in at 200 pounds after a specialized training regimen designed to maintain speed while building muscle. Despite his dominance in the division, Holmes had been dealing with a pinched nerve and a slipped disc during training, which reportedly hampered his preparation.

The sold-out crowd of 11,192 witnessed a tactical battle broadcast live on HBO. Spinks used his agility and unorthodox movement from the opening bell to disrupt Holmes' rhythm. Spinks kept Holmes off-balance by using a mix of swift jabs and angles, neutralizing his opponent's famed jab. The challenger's higher activity rate, landing 318 of 697 punches compared to Holmes' 248 of 567, became a key factor in the fight. Holmes, typically a master of range and control, seemed unable to establish his usual dominance.

As the rounds progressed, Spinks continued to execute his strategy effectively, building points on the scorecards. Holmes, 35 years old and visibly frustrated, struggled to assert himself against Spinks' relentless energy. By the later rounds, the fight's pace and Spinks' unconventional style had clearly shifted the momentum.

After 15 hard-fought rounds, the judges rendered a unanimous decision in favour of Spinks, with scores of 143-142 (Lederman), 143-142 (Moretti), and 145-142 (Wallace). The result was controversial, as many observers, including unofficial scorecards from AP and UPI, scored the fight in Holmes' favour. Regardless, Spinks' victory was an undeniable milestone: he became the first reigning light heavyweight champion to capture the heavyweight crown. This feat earned him Ring Magazine's "Upset of the Year."

Holmes, visibly disappointed, did not hold back post-fight, criticizing the scoring and famously remarking that Rocky Marciano "couldn't carry my jockstrap," a statement he later apologized for. Spinks, meanwhile, solidified his place in boxing history with a calculated and disciplined performance that remains a landmark in the sport. This fight marked the end of Holmes' unbeaten streak, denying him a place alongside Marciano while elevating Spinks into the annals of heavyweight history.