Boxing legend Leon Spinks, who defeated Muhammad Ali, diagnosed with prostate cancer

FORMER world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, confirmed his wife Brenda.

As reported by Sun Sport last month the 66-year-old was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital in a serious condition.

The medical condition of the boxer, who shocked the world by beating Muhammad Ali in 1978, was unclear but his partner posted on social media asking people to “pray for my beautiful husband.”

Now Brenda has revealed the cancer has spread to Spinks’ bladder.

She told USA Today : “It’s going to be a long road and a lot of work.

“But we are bound and determined for the champ to make a comeback.”

Brenda also says her husband has returned home and will undergo cancer treatment on an outpatient basis.

Spinks won Olympic Gold for USA in 1976 before upsetting Ali two years later.

Unfortunately he was not successful in the rematch, losing the belt via unanimous decision at the Louisiana Superdome on September 15, 1978.

He retired in 1995 with a record 26 wins, 17 defeats and three draws.

In 2014 Spinks was hospitalised and suffered major damage to his intestines caused by a piece of bone from a chicken wing.

After several surgeries he then spent a number of weeks at a rehabilitation centre.

He is also a US Marine veteran, having served with them between 1973 and 1976.

Spinks was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.

His son Cory Spinks also enjoyed success inside the ring, becoming undisputed welterweight champion.

His other son Leon Calvin was tragically shot dead in 1990 while travelling to his girlfriend’s in East St. Louis.