Leon Spinks passes away at 67

By Boxing News - 02/06/2021 - Comments

By Mark Eisner: Former WBA heavyweight champion Leon Spinks passed away on Friday at age 67. The 1976 Olympic gold medalist Spinks died from cancer. Spinks was one of the stars for the United States Olympic team in 1975, and he turned pro with big expectations in 1977.

Spinks (26-17-3, 14 KOs) had been dealing with cancer for five years before succumbing to it. His wife reportedly was with him when he passed.

An all-action fighter with an exciting fighting style, Spinks defeated an out of shape boxing great Muhammad Ali by a 15 round split decision on February 15, 1978, at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A short time later, Spinks was stripped of his WBA title when he chose not to fight his mandatory Ken Norton. Instead, Spinks gave Ali a rematch and subsequently was defeated by a 15 round unanimous decision on September 15, 1978.

Although Spinks wanted a trilogy fight with Ali to try and avenge his loss, it wasn’t to be. Ali chose to retire rather than fight Spinks again. Ali did return two years later and was beaten by Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick before retiring for good.

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Unfortunately, Spinks’ career went into a downward spiral following his loss to Ali. From there, Spinks was knocked out in the first round by Gerrie Coetzee in June 1979.

“Leon fought his battle with numerous illnesses resiliently, never losing his trademark smile.

“Showing true Spinks determination, he never threw in the towel. Leon will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, and brother,” the statement from The Firm PR said.

Spinks was an outstanding U.S amateur at light heavyweight, but his decision to bulk up to heavyweight as a professional may have limited his effectiveness.

He wasn’t big or powerful enough to compete with the heavyweights following his upset win over a past his prime Muhammad Ali in 1978. If Spinks had moved down in weight to 175 early on in his career, he might have been able to turn things around.

Spinks got some nice paydays against Ali, and WBC heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, who beat him by a third-round knockout in 1981. Interestingly, Leon’s brother later avenged his loss to Holmes, beating him in consecutive fights in 1985 and 1986.

He then moved down to cruiserweight where he failed to find the same kind of success that he briefly enjoyed at heavyweight.

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“His final fight was fought with the same skill, grace and grit that had carried him through so many lifetime challenges,” the statement read.

Spinks, along with his brother, former two-division world champion Michael Spinks, was raised in St. Louis. Leon served in the U.S Marines and was a three-time AAU amateur champion at light heavyweight.