of boxing operations and matchmaker for Don King Productions claimed it broke the record for the most world championship bout on a single card saying "This is history.

In the meantime WBA ordered a bout for an "Interim" title, between their top ranked contenders David Tua and Hasim Rahman,[8][9] who had fought to a somewhat controversial draw in March, after the previously top ranked Vitali Klitschko opted to face WBC champion Lennox Lewis in June.

[10] However after Tua's estranged management team took him to the High Court, King brought in John Ruiz to replace him.

The penultimate bout would see the first Undisputed welterweight champion since Lloyd Honeyghan dumped his WBA belt in 1987.

[16] There were talks of Mayorga facing unified light middleweight champion Shane Mosley should he beat Spinks.

After 12 rounds, one judge scored it 114–114, the other two had 114–112 and 117–110 both in favour of Spinks, giving him a Majority Decision victory.

Joppy's left cheek face was bruised in the 3rd round, by the 10th, a welt had grown on his right temple.