“Stop the Interview”: Internet Erupts as Journalist Grills Aging Boxing Legend on 14-Year-Old Issue

Michael Spinks, once a revered heavyweight boxing champion, was at the top of the mountain with victories over notable contenders like Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Gerry Cooney, and Larry Holmes. That was until that fateful night in June 1988 when he stepped into the ring against a terrifying young champion who was barely 22 at the time. The man opposite him that night? Iron Mike Tyson.

Tyson was the WBC heavyweight champion and Spinks was the IBF heavyweight champion. Thus, the unification bout was underway. But unbeknownst to many, that would be the last time Michael Spinks would ever step into the ring again. All it took was 91 seconds for Mike Tyson to end Spinks’ career and his undefeated streak. Spinks was only 31 at the time. So why the recap now? It just so happens, that after avoiding the limelight for so many decades, Michael Spinks found himself in front of a camera when he sat down for an interview with DJ Vlad for Vlad TV.

During the conversation, the former world heavyweight champion spoke on many things, including the 1988 Mike Tyson fight. Well, spoke may not be the right word here. The boxing legend looked frail and had to mumble through many of the questions that DJ Vlad decided to throw at him. This seems to have greatly angered users on YouTube who made it a point to call the journalist out for poking at the weathered champion.

The question that was asked pertained to a lawsuit that the former undisputed light heavyweight champion had filed in 2011 in the Delaware Chancery Court against his late promoter, Ronald “Butch” Lewis, and Robert L. Johnson (founder of Black Entertainment Television), who after Lewis’ death became the executor of Lewis’ $8.5 million estate. In the lawsuit, Spinks alleged that Lewis had violated their agreement and had mismanaged more than $24 million that Michael Spinks had earned in the ring, causing his health insurance to expire and bills to pile up with no way for him to pay them off.

Now, 14 years later, when seated in front of Spinks, DJ Vlad wanted to know more about the lawsuit and the controversy behind it. However, Spinks could hardly recollect the hullabaloo behind the suit, much less explain it to Vlad. When asked to elaborate on the matter, Michael Spinks gave an unclear and brief response. “I can hardly remember,” lamented the former two-division champion.

As the conversation proceeded, Vlad brought up more things about the lawsuit. However, Spinks hardly spoke beyond the occasional “Hmm” and “Yeah.” When he was asked if he had eventually won the lawsuit or not. Spinks had to take a moment to recall. The 68-year-old then responded, “I think I lost.”

When asked if he really thought that his manager had stolen the money from him, Spinks replied, “I don’t really know.” What’s more concerning is that when asked about managing his finances differently, he showed little clarity, raising concerns about his memory and overall well-being. As the interview gained traction online, fans expressed their thoughts on Spinks’ condition while expressing anger at the interviewer.

Going too far for the clicks

One user expressed their anger. “Enough interviewing these boxers, they can’t comprehend 😢.” There have been a string of recent interviews on Vlad TV where old boxers have been invited to recount their stories. However, many a time the boxers have endured so much punishment inside the ring that they begin to show signs of CTE at a very early age. This is what this user seems to be driving at. You need only go through Vlad’s recent interviews with Mitch Green and Evander Holyfield to understand what the user is trying to convey.

Another similar comment noted, “His speech is clear. He safely doesn’t elaborate on questions, but you can tell his memory has faded. Stay well, champ. 🥊” This sentiment of concern for his health was echoed by many, as some fans lamented the toll boxing had taken on Spinks’ mental faculties. One of the symptoms of CTE is slurred speech.

Others were outright angry at the interview for having taken place. One user declared, “Man, this is just ridiculous. He doesn’t even know where he’s at.” The anger in the comment was evident. As one of the most dangerous sports in the world, boxing wreaks havoc on your life, years after you have left the ring.

Some even expressed disbelief, saying, “WTF is this!!!! This interview should have been stopped straight away—he doesn’t answer anything, only agrees or disagrees with the interviewer.”

Another user remarked, “This dude ain’t got a clue what’s going on.” The repeated questions from DJ Vlad certainly didn’t help any. There were also calls to stop the interview entirely, with one person stating, “Stop the interview … he can’t remember s***.”

The interview has sparked a debate about how media outlets should approach aging athletes, particularly those who may be battling health challenges. What do you think about the interview with Michael Spinks? Should the media handle such situations differently? Let us know your thoughts below.