Final bell for Spinks

Boxing: Leon Spinks, who won an Olympic gold medal and then beat Muhammad Ali to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion, has died after a long battle with cancer, a spokesman said yesterday

Spinks, recognisable by his gaptoothed grin, rose to fame winning the lightheavyweight gold medal for the United States at the 1976 Montreal Olympics but shocked the boxing world just two years later when, in only his eighth professional bout, he defeated Ali in a split decision.

That was the highlight of Spinks' career, as Ali gained his revenge in the rematch seven months later, in New Orleans. Spinks retired at the age of 42 with an unremarkable record of 26173. — Reuters