(GNB Desk): Leon Spinks, a heavy-weight gold-medal Olympic boxer, once defeated Muhammad Ali in 1978 has died at age 67.
Spinks had been battling with cancer for years, according to a spokesperson.
“Rest in peace, Leon Spinks,” World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman tweeted Saturday evening. “Olympic medalist, Pan American medalist, and of course, WBC heavyweight champion.”
Spinks was the victor in one of the biggest upsets in sports history … when he shocked the world by defeating Ali in a 15-round, split decision win in Las Vegas in February 1978. Spinks defeated defending champ Mohammad Ali in just his eighth professional fight, and taking the world heavyweight championship after a split decision in Las Vegas. It remains one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
In 1976, Spinks won a gold medal as a light heavyweight fighter in the Summer Olympics in Montreal.
Spinks had a second title shot in 1981 against Larry Holmes but fell short in the third round. Spinks later claimed the belt from Holmes in 1985, losing it to Mike Tyson three years later in his final fight.
Leon Spinks finished his career with a 26-17-3 record, including 14 wins by knockout.
Leon Spinks born in St. Louis in 1953, developed a passion for boxing while in the U.S. Marines.
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