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Part 6: Michael Spinks on Being Accused of Throwing the Mike Tyson Fight After Losing in 91 Seconds
Part 4: Michael Spinks on Trying to Jump in the Ring After Larry Holmes Beat His Brother Leon
Part 1: Michael Spinks on Being on 1976 Olympic Team w/ Sugar Ray Leonard, Winning a Gold Medal
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Boxing legend Michael Spinks shared his experience leading up to his monumental 1988 bout against Mike Tyson, during which rumors circulated that Tyson might have been using steroids. Both Spinks and Tyson boasted undefeated records at the time, amplifying the stakes for what would become the most lucrative fight in boxing history. Tyson, holding all three major boxing belts, was compensated with a record-breaking $22 million, while Spinks earned $13.5 million, more than all his previous fights combined.
Despite being a 4-to-1 underdog, with boxing icon Muhammad Ali in his corner rooting for him, Spinks felt immense pressure. He revealed that his training was particularly demanding, involving heavy sparring sessions. Spinks noted Tyson’s formidable prowess, sharing that he had heard rumors of Tyson being on steroids, although Tyson reportedly passed the drug test. Amidst the tension and stakes, this fight surpassed the 1987 Super Bowl as the highest-grossing single-day sporting event at the time, amassing $70 million.
