Leon Spinks Muhammad Ali boxing

February 15, 1978

St. Louisan, Leon Spinks, shocked the sports world when he beat Muhammad Ali in fifteen rounds for the World Heavyweight Crown. He and his brother, Michael, were the only brothers to ever hold world titles.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.