Heavy Issue: Spinks Was Over the Limit
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In the excitement and furor which followed the latest shocking upset by a member of the Spinks family, the media seems overly zealous in its desire to rewrite the sports history books, obfuscating the facts in the process.
Richard Hoffer states: “Spinks, 29, became the first light-heavyweight to win the heavyweight title--eight had tried.” Since he weighed in at 200 pounds, a full 25 pounds over the light-heavyweight limit, Spinks, regardless of whatever title he may have held at the time, was a heavyweight. As such, he is not the first light-heavyweight to win the big title. We are still waiting for that apocryphal person.
The fact that he is the first to hold these two titles simultaneously is enough of an accomplishment. Let us just stick to the facts, please.
GREGORY A. PEARSON
Santa Monica
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