Former heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks - famous for a shock world title win over Muhammad Ali - is suffering from prostate cancer, his wife has revealed.
Spinks was battling for his life last month after being taken to a Las Vegas hospital in a serious condition.
The 66-year-old, an Olympic Gold medallist in 1976, is best known for a memorable upset victory over Ali two years later in a world heavyweight title fight.
Spinks won the undisputed heavyweight world championship in 1978 when he stunned the sports world by defeating Ali by split decision.
It was only his eighth professional fight and was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
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Ali won their rematch later in 1978 , becoming the first three-time lineal heavyweight champion.
Spinks had won gold at the Montreal Olympics as a light heavyweight, and he finished his pro career with a record of 26-17-3 (14 KOs).
His wife Brenda said the boxer first was hospitalised on August 21. He had been home only once, over Veteran’s Day weekend, but has this week returned home.
"It's going to be a long road and a lot of work," Brenda said in a statement to USA Today .
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"But we are bound and determined for the champ to make a comeback."
Noting the “tremendous amount of support” the retired boxer has received, the statement added: “We are very thankful for the outpouring of loving thoughts and prayers worldwide.
"This amazing positive power has helped set Leon headed in the right direction."
The report from USA Today says the cancer has spread to Spinks' bladder and he will undergo cancer treatment on an outpatient basis.
Spinks challenged for the WBC heavyweight title in 1981 and the WBA cruiserweight title in 1986, but lost on both occasions to Larry Holmes and Dwight Muhammad Qawi respectively.
He also had a brief career as a professional wrestler in the 1990s.
