Michael Spinks Charged After Accident

Former heavyweight boxing champion Michael Spinks faces a hearing March 26 on charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol after his car crashed into a rock and a tree at 5:30 a.m. Monday about two miles north of Wilmington, Del. Spinks, 30, was not hurt in the one-car accident and was released pending the hearing.

Spinks, who moved to Centerville, Del., two years ago, told police that his 1983 Mercedes-Benz was run off the road by another car.

Spinks was stripped of his International Boxing Federation heavyweight title earlier this month when he refused to fight the IBF’s No. 1 contender. Spinks, who defeated Larry Holmes for the title, is planning to fight Gerry Cooney in his next bout.

Spinks and his promoter, Butch Lewis, have also been in court attempting to have a temporary injunction against the Cooney fight lifted. HBO cable network, which is sponsoring the heavyweight unification series, filed for the injunction when Spinks backed out of the tournament.