Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks loses battle with cancer at the age of 67

Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks passed away on Friday, Feb. 5, due to cancer. He was 67 years old and is survived by his son Cory and wife Brenda. 

It is with a heavy heart that FanSided reports the death of former heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks.

The Spinks name is famous in the boxing world due largely to Leon, who defeated Muhammad Ali in his eighth professional fight in 1978. Ali was past his prime, but not many thought that the smaller, younger, and vastly inexperienced Spinks could defeat Ali.

Even before the Ali bout, Spinks enjoyed great success as an amateur. The upstart from St. Lois, MO, won 3 AAU national titles, medaled twice at the Pan American Games, and won gold at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, all in the light heavyweight division.

With a record of 6-0-1, with 5 KOs, Spinks pulled off a stunning upset against Ali in 1978 via split decision to win the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles. He was only 24 years old and very early into his career when he defeated the great Ali.

Unfortunately, success at such an early stage in his career and life proved stressful for the young Spinks. At that point, he lacked the wisdom to handle all that was thrown at him, and he surrendered the heavyweight title back to Ali in their rematch six months later.

Leon Spinks was a world champion who achieved a lot in a short period of time

Spinks had another shot a the heavyweight title in 1981 but was stopped by Larry Holmes in round 3. He later won the NABF cruiserweight title in 1982, but his career deteriorated after a string of losses during the late 80s.

Spinks fought for the last time in 1995, losing the bout and retiring with a record of 26-17-3, with 14 KOs. Life and personal problems took their toll on his potential, but he still achieved greatness several times throughout his life as a boxer.

Spinks’ younger brother, Michael, was also an outstanding boxer who won middleweight gold at the 1976 Olympics and reigned as the light heavyweight and heavyweight champion at different points throughout his professional boxing career. His son, Cory, was the unified welterweight world champion from 2003-2004.

Spinks died on Friday, Feb. 5, at 8:15 p.m. His wife, Brenda, provided details in her obituary of Spinks’ life.

“In this moment, I am humbled and devastated to share with you the heartbreaking news that my beautiful husband, former Heavyweight Champion Leon Spinks, Jr., has succumbed to an insidious illness that this time, we were unable to defeat,” wrote Brenda Glur. “Despite the team of healthcare professionals working tirelessly to keep Leon alive, their greatest efforts were unable to overcome. Leon was removed from life support on Friday, February 5, and died at 8:15 pm, at St. Rose Sienna Hospital in Henderson, NV, surrounded by a small group of family and close friends (very limited due to COVID restrictions) as he made the transition into God’s loving arms.”

Thoughts and prayers go out to the Spinks family. He will forever be remembered for his success in the ring and as a fighter who beat the odds to become a world champion.