Leon Spinks dead aged 67: Tributes pour in as boxing legend passes away

FORMER world heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks has died at the age of 67.

The man who beat the legendary Muhammad Ali had been battling prostate cancer for the last five years.

Leon Spinks has died at the age of 67 after a long battle against cancer

Boxing Scene reports that ‘at the time of his passing his wife Brenda Glur Spinks was by his side’.

Tributes have flooded in for the American who competed between 1977 and 1995.

President of the World Boxing Council Mauricio Sulaiman tweeted: “Rest in peace, Leon Spinks.

“Olympic medalist, Pan American medalist, and of course, WBC heavyweight champion.”

WBC lightweight champ Devin Haney posted “RIP Leon Spinks.”

American US boxing manager Lou DiBella tweeted: “Rest In Peace, Neon Leon, a heavyweight champion and a nice man.

“Condolences to @MikeSpinksjinx and the Spinks family. Rest In Peace and Power, Leon Spinks.”

Spinks won Olympic Gold for USA in 1976 before upsetting Ali two years later.

Spinks had been battling cancer for five years

Spinks wrote his own story of the underdog triumphing in 1978 when he beat Ali

Unfortunately he was not successful in the rematch, losing the belt via unanimous decision at the Louisiana Superdome on September 15, 1978.

He retired in 1995 with a record 26 wins, 17 defeats and three draws.

In 2014 Spinks was hospitalised and suffered major damage to his intestines caused by a piece of bone from a chicken wing.

After several surgeries he then spent a number of weeks at a rehabilitation centre.

He is also a US Marine veteran, having served with them between 1973 and 1976.

Spinks was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.

His son Cory Spinks also enjoyed success inside the ring, becoming undisputed welterweight champion.

His other son Leon Calvin was tragically shot dead in 1990 while travelling to his girlfriend’s in East St. Louis.