Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, who has had multiple health issues, reportedly has been hospitalized in Las Vegas. His condition isn’t clear but his wife, Brenda Glur Spinks, is asking for prayers.
A source told the New York Daily News that his illness is treatable and that he would be going home. However, another source told the newspaper that “his condition had deteriorated and he was battling pneumonia.”
TMZ is reporting that Spinks, 66, is “fighting for his life.”
Spinks’ wife posted on Facebook Monday, “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.”
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Spinks had abdominal surgery in 2014, according to the Daily News. He also has been in and out of a wheelchair for several years.
Spinks, a former U.S. Marine, won a gold medal as a light heavyweight in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Then, in only his eighth fight, he upset an aging Muhammad Ali by a split decision to win the heavyweight championship on Feb. 15, 1978 in Las Vegas.
Ali regained the title seven months later by a unanimous decision. Spinks had mixed results the remainder of his career, at both heavyweight and cruiserweight, never again winning a major title.
He last fought in 1995.