Nickname: “Jinx”
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight / Heavyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Professional Record: 31 – 1 (21 KOs)
Years Active: 1977 – 1988

Biography

Michael Spinks was one of the most technically brilliant and accomplished fighters of the modern era. A 1976 Olympic gold medalist and the younger brother of heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, he became World Light Heavyweight Champion in 1981 and went on to unify the division.

In 1985, Spinks made history by moving up to defeat Larry Holmes for the World Heavyweight Title, becoming the first reigning light heavyweight champion ever to win the heavyweight crown. His unique “Spinks Jinx” right hand and awkward rhythm baffled opponents, earning him wins over some of the best of his generation.

Spinks retired after facing Mike Tyson in 1988, leaving behind one of the most impressive pound-for-pound résumés in modern boxing.

Michael Spinks in the Hobby

Spinks’s trading cards reflect his rise during the late 1970s and early 1980s — a golden era for Panini and international boxing issues. His rookie card is one of the most important from the Panini Campioni dello Sport series.

Rookie & Early Issues

1979 – Panini Campioni dello Sport (Italy): Widely recognized as Michael Spinks’s true rookie card, issued before his Olympic success was overshadowed by his professional dominance.
1981 – Panini SuperSport (Italy): Features Spinks as World Light Heavyweight Champion; highly desirable due to his growing legend.
1985 – Panini Supersport Stickers (International): Distributed worldwide during his heavyweight rise; printed in multiple languages.
1986 – Panini Supersport (Italy): Captures Spinks as reigning Heavyweight Champion of the World — a must-have for modern collectors.

Registry Metadata

Earliest Issue: 1979 Panini Campioni dello Sport (Italy)
Rookie Year: 1979
First Mainstream U.S. Card: 1981 Panini SuperSport
Key Sets: 1979 Campioni dello Sport, 1981 SuperSport, 1985 Stickers, 1986 SuperSport
Grading Rarity:
– 1979 Campioni dello Sport: PSA population ≈ 45; PSA 9–10 extremely rare
– 1981 SuperSport: PSA population ≈ 80; PSA 10s command premium prices
Recent Notable Sales:
– 1979 Campioni dello Sport (PSA 9) — $3,600 (2024)
– 1981 Panini SuperSport (PSA 10) — $1,400 (2023)

Legacy

Michael Spinks was a pioneer of precision and adaptability — the rare fighter who combined ring IQ, timing, and power to conquer two divisions. His historic win over Larry Holmes and his unique fighting rhythm made him one of the most respected champions of the modern era.

For collectors, Spinks’s 1979 Panini rookie represents the beginning of a golden age in Panini boxing — a bridge between Olympic glory and heavyweight immortality, forever marking the rise of The Jinx.