According to the Associated Press (AP) former heavyweight champion “Neon” Leon Spinks is currently hospitalized due to complications from a 2nd abdominal surgery and is not out of the woods as of yet. AP boxing writer Tim Dahlberg reports that the 61-year-old boxer, who catapulted to fame by beating Muhammad Ali in 1978, had the second surgery in recent days after complications from the first emergency surgery, his wife said. “It’s going to be a long road ahead, but he’s strong and he’s starting to recover,” Brenda Spinks told The Associated Press. Brenda Spinks said she doesn’t know how long her husband will be hospitalized, but that she’s optimistic about his recovery. “There were complications after his first surgery, but everything has been fixed,” she said.
Spinks is a former gold medalist that is most remembered for winning a 15 round split decision over Muhammad Ali in 1978 when he was just 7-0 as a professional. While the Ali fight was the highlight of his professional career he may very well be in for the fight of his life with his current medical situation but his friends, family and the boxing world will be pulling for him in this fight.
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