Some days are better than others for Leon Spinks.
At 58, he has dementia, difficulty maintaining balance and short-term memory impairment, says his wife, Brenda.
Muhammad Ali, who twice fought Spinks in the 1970s, has his own well-documented medical issues. At 70, without complaint or regret, Ali wages a courageous fight against Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder.
Their unsteady paths will cross Saturday in the same neon-splashed city at a benefit to help raise funds and awareness in support of brain health.
Perhaps both would have quit fighting sooner if they had the benefit of today's MRI technology, which might have revealed damage from concussive blows. An estimated 10% of all athletic injuries -- between 1.6 million and 3.8 million head traumas a year -- lead to concussions.
"We might be missing the boat a little on the concussion issue (in sports)," said Charles Bernick, lead physician of a four-year brain study of fighters conducted by the Cleveland Clinic's Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. "It is made to seem like you either have a concussion or you do not -- black or white. It may be that blows to the head that are not quite enough to give you a concussion may not be good for you. I think we need to broaden our idea of head trauma."
Spinks, who upset Ali in their first fight and lost the rematch, retired at 42 in 1995 after 46 pro bouts. Ali fought 61 times, until just before his 40th birthday.
The "Power of Love" gala Saturday at the MGM Grand will salute the three-time champion's birthday, raising funds to help support the Ruvo Center and the Muhammad Ali Center.
The Ruvo Center study began 10 months ago. Doctors have enrolled 148 fighters with a goal of more than 500. The study will measure changes in brain volume, blood flow and scarring. Doctors will try to determine if testing can uncover subtle changes in the brain that correlate with impaired thinking.
Preliminary research shows those with the longest careers have the worst cognitive outcomes. Results are confidential.
Spinks this week had an MRI at the Ruvo Center and began physical therapy. He is not part of the study. "I have high hopes (the center) will help improve his life," Brenda Spinks said.
The study aims to use MRI scans to detect the earliest and most subtle changes in the brain and function of the organ resulting from trauma. It seeks to determine which changes might predict future development of dementia, depression or other chronic brain disorders.
"We know that those disorders take years to develop," Bernick said. "The earlier you can identify who may be on their way downward, the better it is."
The center is working in conjunction with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Top Rank and Golden Boy promotions and Ultimate Fighting Championship. "We encourage all our young fighters to participate," Top Rank boss Bob Arum said.
Two of them are brothers Diego, 25, and Jesse, 20, Magdaleno. "I am a firm believer in maintaining your health in and out of the ring," Diego said.
The study gets funds from a foundation established by billionaire hotelier Kirk Kerkorian. Researchers hope the study will lead to more effective methods of preventing permanent brain injury and better protective equipment in all sports.
Previous studies have indicated 20% to 50% of pro fighters might develop serious neurological maladies and 20% are at risk for early-onset dementia.
Top trainer Freddie Roach fought 53 times as a pro. He later developed Parkinson's.
"Fighters are not dumb people -- we can be educated," Roach said. "But fighters are athletes, and their attitude is, 'It never will happen to me.'"
Spinks, who moved to the Las Vegas area last fall from Nebraska, plans to visit the Ruvo Center regularly. "I hope," he says, "they can help me."
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