Former heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks Jr., who defeated Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight title in 1978, died. He died on Friday after a five-year battle with prostate cancer and other cancers, his representatives at Firm PR confirmed. He was 67 years old.
“Leon has fought his battle against numerous diseases in a resilient way, never losing his characteristic smile,” said a statement from Firm PR. “Showing Spinks’ true determination, he never threw in the towel.”
Born on July 1, 1953 in St. Louis, Spinks discovered his passion for boxing while serving in the Navy. He started his career taking home several victories in the light heavyweight division. He first won the bronze medal at the 1974 World Championship, then the silver medal at the 1975 Pan American Games and later the gold medal at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976.
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While Spinks had several victories under his belt before making his professional debut in 1977, he cemented his place in boxing history by upsetting the legendary Muhammad Ali on February 15, 1978 in Las Vegas. In what would become one of boxing’s most memorable victories, Spinks became the heavyweight champion.
In the 1990s, Spinks retired his boxing gloves and ventured into the world of wrestling, winning the Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling world title in 1992. With his boxing victory, he became the second man, after Primo Carnera, to hold titles in both boxing and wrestling.
In 2009, Spinks appeared in the documentary by Pete McCormack Facing Ali. Spinks was among the notable boxers who shared his experience of fighting the icon. Also participating in the documentary Henry Cooper, George Foreman and Joe Frazier.
Two years later, Spinks moved to Las Vegas and in 2017 he and his brother Michael Spinks were inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.
Spinks leaves his wife Brenda Glur Spinks, who was at his side at the time of his death.