Leon Spinks, the former world heavyweight champion, has died.
He was 67.
An Olympic gold winner at the Montreal Games in 1976, he is best known for his famous win over Muhammad Ali two years later.
He had suffered from health issues in recent years, and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019.
He passed away in Nevada on Friday evening last.
"His final fight was fought with the same skill, grace and grit that had carried him through so many lifetime challenges," a statement from his management company said.
"Leon fought his battle with numerous illnesses resiliently, never losing his trademark smile. Showing true Spinks determination, he never threw in the towel,"
Spinks rose to prominence on the amateur scene in the 1970s, where he finished with a total of 133 knockouts and a 178-7 record.
His success culminated in an Olympics win in 1976, when he narrowly overcame the Cuban favourite Sixto Soria.
Leon Spinks was 67 years old. pic.twitter.com/7GrA3iqkVR
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) February 7, 2021
It was on the professional stage, however, that he wrote his name into boxing history.
In just his eighth professional fight, he stunned Muhammad Ali on a split decision to take the WBC, WBA and lineal heavyweight titles.
He was scored by two of the three judges to have won the fight.
Their cards read 145-140 and 144-141 in his favour, with the third going 143-142 in Ali's direction.
His reign as champion lasted a mere seven months, when Ali returned with purpose to win the rematch in September of 1978.
He did fight for heavyweight honours again in 1981, but was stopped after just three rounds by Larry Holmes.
The boxing tradition has extended to his son, Cory, who has claimed world titles in the welterweight and light-middleweight divisions.
His brother, Michael, won the IBF heavyweight title during his time in the ring, as well as experiencing success at light-heavyweight level.
