Former heavyweight world champion Leon Spinks has passed away after a long battle with cancer over the past five years. The American boxer is world famous for defeating Muhammed Ali in 1978.
The hunter, who had won a gold medal in the 1976 Olympics, suffered various health problems In recent years. His family and the firm that represents him confirmed on Saturday that Spinks died at night the previous day in the company of his relatives.
Spinks retired at the age of 42 after losing a unanimous decision to Fred Houpe in 1995. In August 2017 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with his brother Michael.