Boxer who sprung a huge surprise by beating Muhammad Ali before blowing a fortune on drink and drugs
Leon Spinks, who has died aged 67 of cancer, was a classic rags-to-riches boxer who shocked the world in 1978 by becoming world heavyweight champion when he defeated the ageing champion Muhammad Ali in only his eighth fight as a professional. Sadly, Spinks was also a classic example of a star who frittered away a fortune on booze, drugs and partying.
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