Former Heavyweight Champ Leon Spinks Dead at 67

Former World champion and Olympic gold medal boxer Leon Spinks has died after a battle with cancer.

Spinks fought as a light heavyweight in the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal. He defeated Sixto Soria to win the gold medal. Spinks finished his amateur career with a record of 178–7 with 133 knockouts.

Spinks shocked the boxing world when he beat Muhammad Ali for the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978. It was his 8th professional bout. He gave the title back to Ali seven months later, losing by decision after a 15 round fight.