https://www.tmz.com/2019/12/11/leon-spi ... as-boxing/
•Boxing legend, Olympic gold medalist and former U.S. Marine Leon Spinks, 66, is fighting for his life in a Las Vegas hospital, his family revealed on social media
•Spinks's exact diagnosis hasn't been revealed, but his wife asked for prayers
•He has suffered through poor health recently. He was previously hospitalized in 2014 after chicken bones caused significant damage to his intestines
•A member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, Spinks is best remembered for upsetting Muhammad Ali in 1978 to win the heavyweight title
•Ali won their rematch while Spinks went just 19-16-2 over the rest of his career
•Spinks is a retired member of the U.S. Marines and an Olympic gold medalist
Boxing legend, Olympic gold medalist and former U.S. Marine Leon Spinks is fighting for his life in a Las Vegas hospital.
The 66-year-old's exact condition has not been revealed, but his wife has asked for prayers on social media.
'Dear Friends,' Brenda Glur Spinks wrote on Facebook. 'I know it's been awhile. However, you know how I Believe in the Power of Prayer. It's been a tough year for us. Leon has endured a lot of medical problems. I'm reaching out to ask you to kindly pray for my Beautiful Husband Leon [so that] he may overcome the obstacles that have crossed his path.'
His son, Leon Spinks III, also pleaded for prayers on Facebook.
'As u all know by now im a very very private person & i NEVER seek attention or emotional support for the uncontrollable bs life seem to throw at me thru social media,' Spinks III wrote, 'but this is for the record My Dad isnt doing so good now & his wife Brenda Glur Spinks and I ask that u pray that he weather's (sic) this storm. my dad is all i have left and i really appreciate it if yall let God know that he is not in this battle alone.'
Spinks has suffered through poor health in recent years. He was previously hospitalized in 2014 after chicken bones caused significant damage to his intestines, according to TMZ. He subsequently endured several surgeries.
A member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, Spinks is best remembered for upsetting Muhammad Ali in 1978 to win the heavyweight title.
Ali won their rematch, marking his final victory in the ring, while Spinks went just 19-16-2 over the remainder of his career.
Prior to becoming heavyweight champion, Spinks served in the U.S. Marines for three years before winning gold as a light heavyweight at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
Spinks also graced one of the more famous Sports Illustrated covers, showing off his gap-toothed smile in one 1978 issue.
His younger brother, Michael, began his boxing career with a 31-0 record before famously suffering a first-round knockout at the hands of Mike Tyson in 1988 and immediately retiring afterward.
