Michael Spinks vs Johnny Davis

Michael Spinks continued his dominant championship run with a ninth-round TKO victory over Johnny Davis on September 18, 1982, at Atlantic City's Sands Casino Hotel. The stoppage came at 2:27 of the round when referee Larry Hazzard intervened after a Spinks right cross left Davis defenceless.

The 172¾-pound champion initially struggled with his 173½-pound challenger's style, with Davis claiming the opening two rounds. However, Spinks adjusted and took control in the third, opening a cut on Davis with a right hand. The champion's dominance increased as the fight progressed, scoring a knockdown in the eighth round with a right cross before forcing the stoppage in the ninth.

At the time of the stoppage, all three judges had Spinks comfortably ahead: Frank Cappuccino at 79-74, Paul Cavalier at 79-73, and Vincent Rainone at 78-73. The ABC-televised bout, promoted by Butch Lewis, marked several milestones for Spinks - his fourth successful title defence of 1982 and his fifth consecutive championship victory by knockout, both equaling records set by Bob Foster. The victory improved Spinks' perfect record to 22-0.

The post-fight press conference was marked by tension when WBC champion Dwight Braxton appeared. This led to a near-altercation with Spinks as discussions of a potential unification bout emerged. For Davis, whose record fell to 13-4, the loss proved particularly bitter as it marked his second defeat to the Spinks family. He had previously lost to Leon Spinks in the 1976 Olympic trials semifinals.