Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard
Ray Charles "Sugar" Leonardis an American former professional boxer, motivational speaker, and occasional actor. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he won world titles in five weight divisions, including a run as the undisputed welterweight champion. Leonard was part of "The Fabulous Four" a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980s, consisting of himself, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler. "The Fabulous Four" created a wave of popularity in the...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionAthlete
Date of Birth17 May 1956
CountryUnited States of America
I wanted to win the gold medal and then go home and further my education in college. I had no intentions whatsoever to become a professional fighter because I had heard horror stories about former boxers who made money but, in the end, ended up with nothing. I didn't want to be one of those guys.
Boxing should focus on pitting champion versus champion - those are the fights that everyone wants to see. The sports also needs to work on developing new heroes and personalities. I'd like to see more vignettes on fighters, focusing on their lives, goals and stories. Boxers need to be larger than life.
Joe Frazier was the epitome of a champion. I mean, here is a guy who was total old school, blue collar, who would fight anybody. You know, he didn't tell you he was the best fighter pound for pound.
When I was fighting, I would look to excite the crowds with a bolo punch or something taunting. Looking back, they were legal - but not sportsmanlike. I don't recommend another boxer try them. But we looked more to make the robot fights dramatic first and realistic second.
Before the start of the '76 Olympics, I'd had 160 amateur fights. I won 155 and lost five
Before I fight, I always pray that no one gets hurt.
Except for Ali, fighters had never been marketable
I want my fights to be seen as plays that have a beginning, a middle and an end
Duran always disturbs me. The guy is just weird. Before our first fight, both Duran and his wife gave my wife the finger.
I'm a free agent. I haven't allowed any promoters to have exclusive options on my fight. I don't need a promoter.
I wouldnt change anything because the mistakes and the hurt are as important as all the great fights. They made me who I am today.
I remember all the important fights. Vividly. In detail.
If I hadn't had the talent, the networks wouldn't have televised my fights. No one has made me; I made myself. I paid my dues
The only way for a fighter to get back in shape is to fight his way back.