Spinks lost his five-year battle with prostate and other cancers on Friday night.
At the time of his death, his wife Brenda Glur Spinks was by his side. Due to Covid’s limitations, only a few close friends and other family were present, ”the statement said.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Spinks represented the United States at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada, as a light heavyweight and won a gold medal.
He faced Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 15, 1978, winning and becoming the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion. It was only Spinks’ eighth professional match and one of the biggest setbacks in boxing history.
Spinks and Ali met again seven months later at the Superdome in New Orleans. Ali won and claimed the heavyweight title.
Spinks fought 72 professional fights and won 46. He retired in 1995 with a record of 26-17-3 with 14 knockouts. In 2017 he was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019. In December of that year, he was hospitalized after the cancer had spread to his bladder.
The publicist’s statement continued: “Leon resiliently fought his battle with numerous illnesses, never losing his signature smile. He showed Spinks real determination and never threw in the towel.”