The wife of former world heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks has asked for prayers for her husband amid a media report that he is in a Las Vegas hospital in a serious condition.

“It’s been a tough year for us,” Brenda Spinks wrote in a Facebook post.

Spinks is “fighting for his life” with an undisclosed condition.

A spokesperson for the Spinks family gave TMZ Sports a statement, saying: “Leon is currently hospitalised and in the care of an exceptional team of doctors. We kindly request that privacy be given to his family at this time.”

“His wife Brenda and their family would like to graciously thank all of Leon’s friends and fans for all of the outpouring support of love and prayers.”

The 66-year-old will forever be known for beating Muhammad Ali in one of boxing’s greatest upsets in their 1978 world heavyweight title fight.

Ali reclaimed his WBA title back with a unanimous decision victory over Spinks later that year.

Spinks then lost his WBC title to Larry Holmes in June, 1981.

Missouri-born Spinks had previously won gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Spinks has slurred his words since his active boxing days and was diagnosed in 2012 with shrinkage in his brain, which doctors said was likely caused by punches he took during his career.

Spinks was hospitalised twice in 2014 due to abdominal problems. He required surgery.