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kenyan_cheena · 03-31-2007, 01:54 AM

SPINKS AND LEONARD APPEAR ON
REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL

Friday 5 July 2002

They were two of the three American gold medallists who, back on April 4, helped Chief Director James Molk introduce the presence of the International Boxing League to the world. But since then Michael Spinks and Ray Leonard have been rarely heard and barely seen. That changed this evening with the two appearing on the HBO program Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

Spinks won Middleweight gold in Sydney but will be competing in what is expected to be a deep Light-Heavyweight division in the IBL while Leonard is one of the favourites to take out the league's inaugural Welterweight World Championship. Some of the topics that Gumbel explored during the interview were:

* A perceived rivalry between fighters in the HBF and the IBL?

"I don't see that at all," said Spinks, frowning. "Maybe amongst the guys from the same division, but there's no beefs between guys in the two organisations. Not yet, at least. You've seen what's happening out in Cali already, with McVey and Toney and those other guys in USC. And you only have to look back to the days after Molk announced it how a number of the HBF guys spoke up in support of us. Ain't no reason to have a beef with a guy that you won't be competing against."

* The excitement as the IBL's unveiling approaches...

"So many people have been talking to me about it," said Leonard. "It's just going to be a huge night. I'm really curious to see exactly who they've placed in each group because there were a number of guys that they weren't sure on, whether they'd be in the qualifiers or the Future Contender series. I'm looking forward to that."

* Their aspirations for the future?

"I ain't afraid to say that I've got a big vision," said Spinks. "Some people might laugh at my ambitions, but I've got a plan laid out in my mind that leads all the way to the HBF's World Championship. I'm not afraid to say that and I don't think anyone should get on my case for saying it, either."

"I'll just be happy if I can have some success in the qualifiers," said Leonard, smiling. "That's my primary focus right now. I'm only thinking short term and part of that will be revealed on July 22 when I find out who my first opponent is."

* The format for the IBL's tournaments...

"It's gonna be tough," Spinks said. "You know, the HBF have protected their guys to this stage of their tournaments but we won't get that luxury. We won't know who we're going up against next until after we fight. That will make things really interesting and could lead to some surprising results, I think."

***

With only seventeen days until the IBL's big bash at the MGM, it goes without saying that with competitors the likes of Spinks and Leonard in its ranks, the league has an exciting future to look forward to...

03-31-2007, 01:54 AM	#151 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,410	SPINKS AND LEONARD APPEAR ON REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL Friday 5 July 2002 They were two of the three American gold medallists who, back on April 4, helped Chief Director James Molk introduce the presence of the International Boxing League to the world. But since then Michael Spinks and Ray Leonard have been rarely heard and barely seen. That changed this evening with the two appearing on the HBO program Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. Spinks won Middleweight gold in Sydney but will be competing in what is expected to be a deep Light-Heavyweight division in the IBL while Leonard is one of the favourites to take out the league's inaugural Welterweight World Championship. Some of the topics that Gumbel explored during the interview were: * A perceived rivalry between fighters in the HBF and the IBL? "I don't see that at all," said Spinks, frowning. "Maybe amongst the guys from the same division, but there's no beefs between guys in the two organisations. Not yet, at least. You've seen what's happening out in Cali already, with McVey and Toney and those other guys in USC. And you only have to look back to the days after Molk announced it how a number of the HBF guys spoke up in support of us. Ain't no reason to have a beef with a guy that you won't be competing against." * The excitement as the IBL's unveiling approaches... "So many people have been talking to me about it," said Leonard. "It's just going to be a huge night. I'm really curious to see exactly who they've placed in each group because there were a number of guys that they weren't sure on, whether they'd be in the qualifiers or the Future Contender series. I'm looking forward to that." * Their aspirations for the future? "I ain't afraid to say that I've got a big vision," said Spinks. "Some people might laugh at my ambitions, but I've got a plan laid out in my mind that leads all the way to the HBF's World Championship. I'm not afraid to say that and I don't think anyone should get on my case for saying it, either." "I'll just be happy if I can have some success in the qualifiers," said Leonard, smiling. "That's my primary focus right now. I'm only thinking short term and part of that will be revealed on July 22 when I find out who my first opponent is." * The format for the IBL's tournaments... "It's gonna be tough," Spinks said. "You know, the HBF have protected their guys to this stage of their tournaments but we won't get that luxury. We won't know who we're going up against next until after we fight. That will make things really interesting and could lead to some surprising results, I think." * With only seventeen days until the IBL's big bash at the MGM, it goes without saying that with competitors the likes of Spinks and Leonard in its ranks, the league has an exciting future to look forward to... __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...** Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 06-24-2007 at 10:18 PM.