North St. Louis in the 1950s was a city notorious for its abject poverty and violence - especially the segregated Pruitt-Igoe projects where a scrawny, sickly Leon Spinks was raised. But he soon would take up an activity to ensure his safety - and set him up for a legendary career: boxing.
Soon respected in the community for his skills, a determined Spinks joined the Marines to escape poverty, building a strong reputation boxing in the services. And by 1976, he and his younger brother won Olympic gold! Then, two years later, Spinks did the unthinkable.
Only a year into his professional career, he challenged none other than Muhammad Ali for the 1978 heavyweight title. In one of boxing’s biggest upsets, Leon Spinks WON, solidifying his legendary status in the sport forever! But times soon turned to tragedy for Spinks.
By the early 2000s, he had experienced bankruptcy, addiction, homelessness and even dementia. And today, he’s battling his biggest opponent: advanced prostate cancer. But Spinks has never given up. In a 2006 interview, he shared:
“I’m still breathing. Still making money. Still trying. I ain’t giving up on life.”
Despite the systemic oppression we meet in America, we can take a page from Leon Spinks’ life and never give up. Even when the deck is stacked against us, we’ve got to come out swinging!