Former undisputed heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, 67, died Friday night after a long battle with prostate cancer and other illnesses.
Spinks finished his boxing career with a record of 26-17-3, 14 KOs, but it’s most remember for defeating Muhammad Ali in 1978 to win the championship.
After news of his passing, friends, colleagues and current fighters took to social media to say their goodbyes and praise the former champ.
Spinks’ brother, Michael Spinks, is a former two division champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Rest In Peace, Neon Leon, a heavyweight champion and a nice man. Condolences to @MikeSpinksjinx and the Spinks family. Rest In Peace and Power, Leon Spinks. 🥊#boxing https://t.co/ntvULT8yZy
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) February 6, 2021
You no longer have to suffer anymore. Rest easy Marine… my condolences go out to the Spinks family. Leon was a good man. pic.twitter.com/lhxr9PEsj9
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) February 7, 2021
May you Rest In Eternal Peace Leon Spinks 🙏 https://t.co/WY6hou9iSd
— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) February 6, 2021
Ugh. Very sad news. He suffered way too long. May his soul Rest In Peace. A real nice guy and an amazing Champ. My heart goes out to his brother @MikeSpinksjinx and his family. #RIPLeonSpinks https://t.co/YOdjCxl8G6
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) February 7, 2021
Rest in peace, Leon Spinks.
Olympic medalist, Pan American medalist, and of course, WBC heavyweight champion. pic.twitter.com/dsByBrLp2L
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) February 6, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with Leon Spinks, 1976 Olympic Champion, family and friends during this time. https://t.co/IhetGFUDdE
— USA Boxing (@USABoxing) February 6, 2021
Top Rank joins the boxing community in mourning the passing of Leon Spinks – A true legend, who pulled off one of the greatest Heavyweight upsets of all time in 1978. pic.twitter.com/i3xHjkKNti
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 7, 2021
A sad day for boxing. R.I.P Leon Spinks 👑 A real legend in boxing. 🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾❤️
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) February 7, 2021
R.I.P Leon spinks https://t.co/vQ5vT7BeX8
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) February 6, 2021
Sadden to hear my old buddy Leon Spinks passed last night. We had a few good times together including the last time I saw him and brother Michael out here on LI in 2019. He will be missed RIP.
— Ron Katz (@rkmatchmaker) February 6, 2021
R.I.P “Neon” Leon Spinks, Olympic gold medalist and undisputed heavyweight champion! #beatthegreatest pic.twitter.com/UpxgO3CEXM
— Kevin Cunningham (@KCBoxTrainer) February 6, 2021