2/8/2021 Leon Spinks: Ex-heavyweight champion who shocked Muhammad Ali dies aged 67 - BBC Sport

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Leon Spinks: Ex-heavyweight champion who shocked

Muhammad Ali dies aged 67
13 hours ago Boxing

Leon Spinks stunned Muhammad Ali in 1978 before losing a rematch

Former world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks has died aged 67.

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2/8/2021 Leon Spinks: Ex-heavyweight champion who shocked Muhammad Ali dies aged 67 - BBC Sport

The American achieved a famous upset win over Muhammad Ali in 1978, in just his eighth
professional fight.

He had suffered with health issues in his later years and was diagnosed with advanced stage
prostate cancer in 2019.

"His final fight was fought with the same skill, grace and grit that had carried him through so
many lifetime challenges," said a statement from his management company.

The former US marine died on Friday evening in Henderson, Nevada, with his wife Brenda Glur
Spinks by his side.

"Leon fought his battle with numerous illnesses resiliently, never losing his trademark smile.
Showing true Spinks determination, he never threw in the towel," the statement added.

Born in St Louis, Spinks won gold at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, then rose to greater
prominence a little more than 18 months later, given the nod via a split decision to stun Ali and
claim the WBC, WBA and lineal heavyweight titles.

In one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport, Spinks defied his 10-1 underdog odds
with bookmakers to prevail aer 15 rounds, winning 145-140 and 144-141 on two scorecards
while a third went 143-142 in favour of Ali.

His reign as world champion lasted exactly seven months as a sharper and fitter Ali gained
revenge in a rematch in September 1978, becoming the first three-time lineal heavyweight
champion aer a comfortable points win.

Spinks did get another opportunity for heavyweight glory in June 1981, but was stopped inside
three rounds by Larry Holmes.

Spinks then dropped down to cruiserweight but was defeated by WBA champion Dwight
Muhammad Qawi in 1986. He boxed on for another nine years and finished with a record of 26
wins, 17 defeats and three draws.

Known for his gap-toothed grin, Spinks' battles in the ring contributed to his ill health in later
life. It was found he had shrinkage in the brain in 2012 before his cancer diagnosis was
confirmed a few years later.

His son Cory, 42, is a former undisputed welterweight champion who also won a world title in
the light-middleweight division.

Spinks' younger brother Michael, 64, was undisputed light-heavyweight champion for a period
in the 1980s, before moving up to heavyweight, where he won the IBF title and avenged Leon's
loss to Holmes.

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2/8/2021 Leon Spinks: Ex-heavyweight champion who shocked Muhammad Ali dies aged 67 - BBC Sport

Spinks celebrated his 65th birthday in 2018

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