Former heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks dead at 67

LAS VEGAS — Former world heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks, who scored an upset victory against Muhammad Ali, died Friday, a spokesman for the fighter said. He was 67.

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Spinks, who also won a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics, lost a five-year battle with prostate and other cancers, KVUU reported. His wife, Brenda Glur Spinks, was by his side, the television station reported.

“Leon fought his battle with numerous illnesses resiliently, never losing his trademark smile,” a statement from The Firm PR said. “Showing true Spinks determination, he never threw in the towel. Leon will be remembered as a beloved husband, father and brother.”

Spinks made history on Feb. 15, 1978, in Las Vegas when he defeated Ali in a split decision to become the world heavyweight boxing champion. Ali won the return match on Sept. 15, 1978, at the Louisiana Superdome.

Spinks was 24 and a heavy underdog when he faced Ali and withstood a 15th-round flurry from the champion, ESPN reported. Spinks became the only fighter to take a title from Ali in the ring, the sports network reported.

Spinks fought professionally in 46 fights and had a 26-17-3 record.

Spinks would fight just once more for the heavyweight title, when he lost via TKO to Larry Holmes for the WBC title in June 1981, ESPN reported. Spinks later dropped to the cruiserweight division and lost his only title bout to Dwight Muhammad Qawi, falling in a sixth-round TKO in March 1986, according to ESPN.

Spinks was born in St. Louis on July 11, 1953. He served in the Marines, where he found a passion for boxing.

Before he turned pro, Spinks won a bronze medal at the inaugural 1974 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Havana. He also won a silver medal at the 1975 Pan American Games. In 1976, Spinks won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

Spinks was the brother of Hall of Fame former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks. He was the father of former welterweight world champion Cory Spinks.

“His final fight was fought with the same skill, grace and grit that had carried him through so many lifetime challenges,” The Firm PR said in its statement.

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