Former American boxer Leon Spinks dies aged 67, according to his publicists.

The boxing champion Leon Spinks, died with his wife, Brenda Spinks, at his side, after a five-year battle with cancer.

He had also received treatment in a Las Vegas hospital in December, reports added.

“His final fight was fought with the same skill, grace and grit that had carried him through so many lifetime challenges,” the statement said.

“Leon fought his battle with numerous illnesses resiliently, never losing his trademark smile. Showing true Spinks determination, he never threw in the towel.”

The legend had faced Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 15, 1978, winning to become the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion. It was only Spinks’ one of the greatest upsets in boxing history.

Moreover, Spinks’s son, Cory, had become an undisputed welterweight champion from 2003 to 2005 and had brief junior middleweight reigns in 2007 and 2009.

Whereas, his younger brother Michael was a 1976 Olympic middleweight champion who was the undisputed light heavyweight champion from 1983 to 1985 and a heavyweight champion from 1985 to 1986.