Leon Spinks, who defeated Muhammad Ali in 1978, critically ill

American boxing legend Leon Spinks, who famously beat Muhammad Ali in 1978, is reportedly hospitalized in Las Vegas and his friends have said that the situation is very serious.

Sources connected to the 61-year-old Olympic gold medal winner revealed that Spinks underwent surgery this weekend for abdominal problems, which was his second surgery for the issue, and there were complications during the surgery, TMZ.com reported.

Spinks' situation reportedly seemed dire at first, but the former American boxer seems to be doing better now.

Spinks' wife issued a statement saying that it is going to be a long road ahead, but he's strong and he's starting to recover.

The boxer's good friend Tony Orlando, the famous singer, is asking people to please pray for his friend Spinks and also said that the boxer is facing the greatest fight of his life.