Bloody Elbow · Feb 7, 2021
Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks dies at 67
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesOlympic gold medalist and former heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks died at a Henderson, Nevada hospital late Friday evening, with his wife Brenda by his side. Spinks had been battling numerous health problems but ultimately succumbed to prostate cancer.
Spinks took home Olympic gold for the United States at the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal and turned pro just one year later. By 1978 and in just his eighth professional fight, Spinks took on Muhammad Ali for the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles. In a massive upset, Spinks defeated Ali by 15-round split decision and became the only man to ever dethrone Ali as heavyweight champion.