Former heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks, who once beat Muhammad Ali, died Friday evening with spouse at his aspect after a 5-year battle with most cancers, a spokesperson mentioned in an announcement. He changed into once 67.
Spinks battled prostate and other cancers earlier than his death within the Las Vegas predicament, the spokesperson mentioned.
Spinks obtained 46 of 72 respectable fights. His most great battle came on Feb. 15, 1978, when he changed into once granted a determination victory over Ali, earning Spinks the sphere heavyweight title.
Sooner than that, the St. Louis native served within the U.S. Marine Corps, obtained a bronze medal for the duration of the 1974 boxing world championships and silver within the 1975 Pan The United States Video games. The subsequent year he scored a gold medal at the Montreal Olympics.
He known as boxing greats Ali, Ken Norton and Sugar Ray Leonard guests. He moved to increased Las Vegas in 2011, the year he married his spouse, Brenda Glur Spinks.
He changed into once inducted into the Nevada Boxing Corridor of Reputation nonetheless now not the World Boxing Corridor of Reputation.
His family mentioned he changed into once a father, stepfather and grandfather.
