A lovable heavyweight with a drinking problem, Spinks beat Ali by decision in a 12-round fight in 1978 to win the title. IE 11 is not supported. LAS VEGAS -- Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. Arum was in the dressing room with Ali after the fight, and said Ali directed him to sign Spinks to a quick rematch. Indonesia started its mass inoculation drive on Jan. 13 with a Sinovac vaccine. He never meant any harm to anyone. He was 67. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight … After discovering boxing both brothers became top amateurs, culminating in the 1976 Olympics where Leon won the light heavyweight gold and Michael won the middleweight gold. Known as a cheeky personality but someone with a drinking problem, Spinks died on Friday night, according to a statement from a public relations firm. In this Feb. 15, 1978, file photo, Leon Spinks celebrates as his entourage holds him aloft after his 15-round split decision victory over world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas. A boxer who delivered one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport, Leon Spinks, has died aged 67. Former world heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks has died, aged 67. According to the Firm PR, Spinks died of prostate and other cancers. re: Moderna vaccine kicked my ass Posted by Leon Spinks on 4/4/21 at 7:52 pm to Pfft The second one didn’t do anything except make me really tired. Conspiracy theorists on social media cited the recent deaths of other aging high-profile former athletes like Hank Aaron and Leon Spinks who had been given the COVID-19 vaccine … At his time of death, Spinks was surrounded by his wife Brenda and several other close friends and family. As of March 28, the 5th Fleet has administered nearly 13,000 COVID-19 vaccines during a fleet-wide effort to protect the force. Spinks, who lived his later years in Las Vegas, died Friday night, according to a release from a public relations firm. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. We've received your submission. LAS VEGAS — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. He was 67. The Friendswood girls soccer team lost in the state semifinals 1-0 to Dripping Springs in a gut-wrenching game, but that loss alone doesn’t tell the Lady Mustangs' whole story. Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks Jr. has died after battling prostate and other cancers. He was 67. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. February 6, 2021 | 7:16pm | Updated February 6, 2021 | 9:27pm. Spinks passed away with only a few close friends and family present due to COVID-19 restrictions. He was 67. His brother, Michael, who would later become heavyweight champion himself, won the middleweight gold, and Sugar Ray Leonard took the welterweight title. Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks Jr. died Friday night, Feb. 5, 2021, after battling prostate and other cancers. Leon Spinks, the gap-toothed fighter from the St Louis slums who pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in boxing history in 1978 by defeating Muhammad Ali … Spinks died Friday night, according to a … He was 67. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks Jr. has died after battling prostate and other cancers. Spinks won an Olympic gold medal in 1976 but went on to shock the boxing world a year and a half later by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth professional fight. Spinks was born July 11, 1953, in St. Louis, raised in poverty along with his brother Michael. Spinks… He was 67. Leon Spinks Jr., who won the heavyweight boxing championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali, died on Feb. 5. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your privacy controls. He was 67. He was 67. Leon Spinks, a boxing heavyweight champion who once beat Muhammad Ali, is dead at 67 after a battle with cancer. (Reuters) - Leon Spinks, the gap-toothed fighter from the St. Louis slums who pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in boxing history in 1978 by defeating Muhammad Ali to take the undisputed world heavyweight title, has died at the age of 67 after a long battle with cancer, a spokesman said on Saturday. More than 780,000 people have received their first shot and about 139,000 have … You couldn’t help but love him even though you shook your head at how he acted.”, Chiefs, Buccaneers went through dark times not long ago, This story has been shared 22,845 times. Hollywood's super rich are queue-jumping for Covid vaccines by taking private jets to Florida and offering $50,000 'bribes' as California limits shots to over-65s and health workers DALLAS, Texas — A new warning from the Better Business Bureau is directed towards those who recently got the COVID-19 vaccine: don't post a photo with your vaccine … Vaccine supply has also improved, allowing officials to expand priority populations to include non-resident workers in "congregant situations," said Green. Former world heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks, who took the crown from Muhammad Ali in 1978 before losing a rematch, died on Friday, according to his publicists.He was 67. 11m ago. According to TMZ, Spinks passed away Friday evening at the age of 67 after courageously battling prostate cancer for five years. Born on … The two fought seven months later in a prime-time fight on CBS that set television viewing records at the time, with nearly half the country tuning in. Leon Spinks, boxing's former heavyweight champion, dead at 67. Obviously he had been out drinking and I said, ‘Leon are you crazy, you’re fighting in just a few days.’ He said What do you mean? He was 67. (AP Photo/File) LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. “In that fight everything clicked,” Arum said. 14,299, This story has been shared 12,419 times. By clicking "Accept all" you agree that Verizon Media and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies and process your personal data, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Spinks would lose the rematch to Ali in New Orleans and fought for the title only once after that, when he was stopped in the third round in 1981 by Larry Holmes. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. Spinks was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017. His wife, Brenda Glur Spinks, and a few close friends and other family members were by his side when he passed away. By then, the best part of Leon’s career was over, though he would fight until losing a December 1995 fight against Fred Houpe in St. Louis. Spinks died Friday night, according to a release from a public relations firm. Ali took the rematch more seriously than he did the first fight, winning a decision though Spinks was competitive. According to TMZ, Spinks passed away Friday evening at the age of 67 after courageously battling prostate cancer for five years. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He suddenly had an entourage as big as one that Ali had,” Arum said. Leon Spinks — former undisputed heavyweight boxing champ who defeated Muhammad Ali in 1978 — has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. After moving to Las Vegas, Spinks was married to Brenda Glur Spinks in 2011. Your California Privacy Rights Among the notable people in Spinks’ entourage was Lawrence Tureaud, who would later be known as the actor Mr. T and served as bodyguard for the champion. Spinks, who lived his later years in Las Vegas, died Friday night, according to a release from a public relations firm. Michael Spinks would go on to win the heavyweight title himself in 1985, defending it three times before being knocked out by Mike Tyson in 91 seconds in their 1988 fight in Atlantic City. At the time, Ali had won 14 bouts in a row and was one of the most famous men in the world. Spinks was hardly spectacular after turning pro, winning six of his first seven fights. Spinks, who lived his later years in Las Vegas, died Friday night, according to a release from a public relations firm. Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, died Feb. 5, … “We were all staying at the same hotel in New Orleans for the rematch and one morning I was coming down to breakfast and Leon got in the elevator and collapsed on the floor. Redecorate with affordable art, Lululemon's training leggings and gear will revive your spring workout, Grill out this year with this charcoal BBQ pit for under $140, Hailey Bieber gives chill spring vibes in this Free People fleece, The 21 best places to buy rugs online in 2021, Body language expert dissects royal family during Prince Phillip's funeral. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Your California Privacy Rights He was 67. He was 67. Boxing champ Leon Spinks showing ‘small signs of improvement,’ family says December 15, 2019 at 5:45 pm EST By Joy Johnston, Cox Media Group National Content Desk LAS VEGAS — Former heavyweight world champion Leon Spinks is in the intensive care unit at a Las Vegas hospital due to complications from prostate cancer, his family confirmed Friday evening. Spinks was born July 11, 1953, in St. Louis, raised in poverty along with his brother Michael. By Bill Trott. “Leon was nutty but you couldn’t get angry at the guy. The company wants to make its vaccine available to the age range before the start of the 2021 school year. Privacy Notice Enter Spinks, who was such a big underdog most sports books didn’t even take bets on the fight. Spinks was found to have brain damage caused by a combination of taking punches to the head and heavy drinking, though he functioned well enough to do autograph sessions and other events late in his life. Leon Spinks — former undisputed heavyweight boxing champ who defeated Muhammad Ali in 1978 — has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. But Ali was coming off a brutal fight with Earnie Shavers and wasn’t looking forward to what would have been a mandatory bout against Ken Norton, whom he had already fought three times and who seemed to have Ali’s number. Spinks, who lived his later years in Las Vegas, died Friday night, according to a release from a public relations firm. Leon Spinks defeated Ali in a 15-round split ... Krispy Kreme's CEO defended the company's offer of a free doughnut a day to people get the COVID vaccine after a social media backlash. He was surrounded by his wife, Brenda Spinks, in addition to a few other close friends and family members. Spinks might have been better, Arum said, but enjoyed the life of being heavyweight champion too much and partied much of the time between fights. He was 67. He got anything but that, with an unorthodox Spinks swarming over Ali throughout the fight on his way to a stunning win by split decision. He was 67. Your Ad Choices He was 67. Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder April 9, 2021. Leon Spinks, the gap-toothed fighter from the St. Louis slums who pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in boxing history in 1978 by defeating Muhammad Ali to take the undisputed world heavyweight title, has died at the age of 67 after a long battle with cancer, a spokesman said on Saturday. Leon Spinks, the heavyweight boxer who became undisputed world champion by upsetting Muhammad Ali in 1978 before losing a rematch only months later, has died. Spinks passed away with only a few close friends and family present due to COVID-19 restrictions. Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks Jr. died after battling prostate and other cancers. Police ask for sightings of missing Auckland man with concerning medical condition. 22,845, This story has been shared 14,299 times. Spinks was not ranked at the time, and was picked because Ali was looking for an easy fight. Thanks for contacting us. Michael Spinks. Just four months before he met Ali, he could manage just a draw with journeyman Scott LeDoux and he wasn’t on anyone’s radar in the heavyweight title picture. He had been battling prostate and other cancers. Spinks, with a big grin that often showed off his missing front teeth, was popular among boxing fans for both his win over Ali and his easygoing personality. LAS VEGAS — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. “He was happy go lucky, the salt of the earth,” Arum said, chuckling at the memories. Jake Paul destroys Ben Askren in first-round knockout, © 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Sitemap AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine Leon Spinks. The two met seven months later at the Superdome in New Orleans, with Ali taking the decision this time before a record indoor boxing crowd of 72,000 and a national television audience estimated at 90 million people. “It was one of the most unbelievable things when Ali agreed to fight him because you look at the fights he had up to then and he was not only not a top contender but shouldn’t have been a contender at all,’’ promoter Bob Arum said Saturday. In this Feb. 15, 1978, file photo, Leon Spinks celebrates as his entourage holds him aloft after his 15-round split decision victory over world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali in … LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leon Spinks, who won Olympic gold and then shocked the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in only his eighth pro fight, has died. I’m just coming in from roadwork.’”. Leon Spinks punches Muhammad Ali during his heavyweight title win in 1978. He had lived his later years in Las Vegas and had been suffering from prostate and other cancers. Pakistan. He later was part of a group of ex-fighters who had their brains studied by the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. Spinks won the light heavyweight division at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, beating Sixto Soria of Cuba in an upset to become one of five U.S. fighters to win gold. He was 67. The Lady Mustangs are a fantastic soccer team, and no one can deny that. Terms of Use By then, the best part of Leon’s career was over, though he would fight until losing a December 1995 fight against Fred Houpe in St. Louis. Leon Spinks, the gap-toothed fighter from the St Louis slums who pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in boxing history by defeating Muhammad Ali, has died at the age of 67. It wasn’t that Ali wasn’t at his best, but Leon shocked everybody with how good Leon was.”. The American, who in just his eighth professional fight claimed a famous upset win … The two were often seen at boxing-related activities, including Spinks’ 2017 induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. The two were often seen at boxing-related activities, including Spinks’ 2017 induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. Spinks, who lived his later years in Las Vegas, died Friday night, according to … “He came in with a game plan and he beat Ali. After moving to Las Vegas, Spinks was married to Brenda Glur Spinks in 2011. “Leon posed in a bathtub with a glass of champagne smoking a cigar. 12,419, © 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved He was unranked at the time, and picked as an opponent because Ali was looking for an easy fight. He continued fighting on and off into the mid-1990s, finishing with a record of 26-17-3. Amid threats, French Embassy advises citizens to leave Pakistan Spain's Castile and Leon region suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine Like a bad hangover with no headache. The boxer battled cancer for five years, his family said. Former world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, best known for defeating Muhammad Ali in 1978, has died at the age 67, according to a statement from his publicist. Man accidentally gets one Moderna and one Pfizer COVID vaccine, Kate Middleton, 'family peacemaker,' calms William and Harry's rupture, De Niro struggling to keep up with wife’s ‘thirst for Stella McCartney’: divorce lawyer, 'Consensual incest' should be decriminalized, advocates say, Sharon Osbourne blasts 'The Talk' hosts, calls Prince Harry 'poster boy of white privilege'. ”He was just an opponent but somehow he found a way to win that fight.”. “He was a good soul,” said Gene Kilroy, who was Ali’s business manager when he fought Spinks and became friends with the fighter. 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