Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks - 1st fight, Event date 15/2/78... In this first fight between these two fighters not much was known of Leon Spinks who at this stage of his career had only fought a handful of fights before he got this opportunity to fight for the World Heavyweight Title. But in this fight Muhammad Ali would under estimate the younger Leon Spinks. Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks 2nd Fight, event date 15/9/78... The return bout between this two Heavyweights was to be a do or die affair for Ali. It was his third attempt to win back the title. A much different Ali was to enter the ring and create history.