As I write this, it’s 40 years since the bout took place on September 21, 1985 at the Riviera Casino Hotel in Las Vegas. Don King promoted it as ‘History. A September to Remember’, since it marked the 30 year anniversary of Rocky Marciano’s last fight. Holmes would enter the ring 48-0, and a win over Spinks would tie Marciano’s record of 49-0. Spinks was also fighting for the first time at heavyweight, so it was historic in that regard as well.
That summer I took what I call ‘The trip of a lifetime’, spending 6 weeks in Los Angeles, and a few weekends of that time in Las Vegas. It remains one of the best things I ever did in my life, with the memories embedded in my mind. When I drove back to Vegas just after Labor Day, I checked into the Dunes Hotel on the strip. One of the first things I did was make way to the Riviera to watch both Michael Spinks and Larry Holmes train in their public workouts. Unfortunately, Larry had closed his camp after a fight with New York sportswriter Dick Young, so I settled on at least seeing Michael.
Since I became a boxing fan in earnest in late 1979, Larry and Michael were two of my top three favorite fighters, the other being Sugar Ray Leonard. Getting to see Spinks train in person was a thrill for me, and I happily made my way to an upstairs room at the Riviera, turned boxing gym. Michael sparred, jumped rope, worked the bags and did floor exercises, all exciting to a fan like me. After his workout, I bought a black and white photo of him for $8, and asked him to sign it for me as he sat at a table for everyone. I also asked him what he planned to weight on fight night, and he replied “Whatever I feel comfortable at.” I thanked him, and that photo is a keepsake, since I never really sought autographs from anyone. It was a great way to end my six week escapade. and I went home to New Jersey recharged to face life again.
The fight between Larry and Michael was one I really didn’t want to take place, to be honest. Michael was my favorite light heavyweight, and Holmes my favorite heavyweight. On the drive over my cousin’s house to watch the bout on HBO on his big screen TV, I was torn. I felt like Eddie Futch, who trained both men, and stayed home, rather than pick a side. As my mother babysat, I sat riveted to the couch as round one began.
It was a bizarre bout, to say the least. Larry never threw his right hand, (Revealing after the bout that he had a pinched nerve in his neck and couldn’t) and I wondered why the whole night. Michael fought spastically, throwing punches from odd angles, and moving, The rounds were close, but not exciting, and other than the fact that it was a historic night for boxing, it wasn’t much fun to watch. I was torn as to who to root for, but leaned toward Holmes, because I wanted him to retire at 50-0, and break Marciano’s record.
After the fifteenth bell round, I nervously awaited the scores to be read. Michael won a razor thin unanimous decision, and while happy for him, was instantly sad for Larry. Gone was his undefeated record, and the critics would come out of the woodwork as usual. I made the 5 mile drive home with mixed emotions, since I felt so attached to fighters I liked, and wishing the two had never met at all.
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