Ray Charles Leonard entered the world on May 17, 1956. His family called Rocky Mountain, North Carolina home at the time of his birth. The list of accolades for the man the world would come to know as Sugar Ray Leonard includes five world championships, a reign as lineal champion in three weight classes, and time as the undisputed welterweight champions of the world over a 20-year boxing career spanning from 1977 to 1997.
Leonard was the star attraction of a group of boxers dubbed the “Fabolous Four” in the 1980s. The other Hall of Famers in this group include Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Roberto Duran. Each of these men faced each other during their era, and together they kept the post-Ali boxing era afloat.
Ray Leonard earned the fighter of the decade crown once the legendary battles between the four champions were complete. He also became the first professional boxer to make $100 million from fight purses.
Early Life
Ray Leonard is the fifth among the seven children born to Cicero and Gertha Leonard. Gertha convinced her husband to name their child after her favorite singer, Ray Charles. It is unlikely the couple had any idea of the path to fame and success their newborn son would begin carving for himself less than two decades later.
Leonard and his family moved to Palmer Park, Maryland, when he was three years old. He was known as a quiet child who spent a lot of time in his home reading. His mother recalls Ray’s reluctance to speak made it a chore to know what her son was thinking at times. She also explains he never caused any trouble at school or around the home. But by his mid-teens, Ray Leonard proved to be more than enough trouble for anyone facing him in an amateur boxing match.
Amateur Boxing Career
Ray Leonard was 13 years old when he began training to box at the Palmer Park Recreation Center. His first loss came three years later when he lost a tough decision to Jerome Artis at the National Amateur Athletic Union quarterfinals round. The same year, sixteen-year-old Leonard lied about his age to fight in the Eastern Olympic Trials. The minimum age to fight in international competition is 17.
Leonard lost another close decision that many at ringside openly contested. An assistant coach for the United States Olympic Boxing team remarked to Dave Jacobs, Leonard’s coach at the time, that he had a “sweet” fighter on his hands. People involved with amateur boxing circles christened him with the nickname Sugar Ray Leonard.
Leonard earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team in 1976. Some amateur boxing fans believe the 1976 team to represent the most talented group of Olympians ever assembled. Members included Howard Davis Jr., Charles Mooney, and both Leon and Michael Spinks.
Ray Leonard won all five of his Olympic bouts by 5-0 decisions en route to a gold medal. He announced the end of his boxing career upon winning the gold. The final tally for Leonard’s amateur career included 165 victories in 170 fights with 75 knockouts. His post boxing plans included college and a degree in business administration.
Ray Leonard Professional Career
Ray Leonard eventually chose to turn pro as a boxer instead of attending business school. However, the move he made to begin his career suggests he may have been just as successful wearing a business suit as he would go on to be in gloves and boxing shorts.
Leonard was able to secure a loan from a group of investors for $21,000. This money was enough to jumpstart his career. He agreed to pay the loan over four years at 8%. Leonard also appointed himself as Sugar Ray Leonard Inc.’s only stockholder.
Angelo Dundee agreed to a customized managing and training role that paid him 15%. This number was a little less than half the 33% payments common to traditional agreements.
Sugar Ray Leonard’s first professional bout ended in a six-round unanimous decision victory against Luis Vega. Leonard’s pay for the fight was a little more than $40,000. He paid the loan he owed immediately.
Leonard tore through an early group of opponents before running into tough veteran Floyd Mayweather Sr. in his fourteenth bout. Leonard outlasted the more than game Mayweather by scoring a tenth-round technical knockout.
Leonard’s winning ways continued, and after a knockout win against Andy Price in September of 1979, Ray Leonard was 25-0 and ready to challenge for a world welterweight title.
Sugar Ray Leonard Vs. Wilfred Benitez
Ray Leonard challenged Wilfred Benitez on November 30, 1979. The fight took place at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas with Benitez’s WBC Welterweight Championship on the line.
Leonard expected a tough fight when agreeing to face the two-division champion. Wilfred Benitez already had 38 wins under his belt against no losses. Benitez delivered everything Leonard expected and then some.
The tactical battle went back and forth, but Leonard showed his power early when he ended a three-punch combination with a stunning left hook in the first round. Leonard landed a hard shot in the third round and scored the fight’s first knockdown.
Benitez adjusted in the fourth round and improved his position in the fight. Leonard said he felt at times as if he was looking in the mirror. The two men clashed heads in the sixth, and a cut developed on Benitez’s forehead. The flow of blood stayed away from Benitez’s eyes, and he continued fighting a fight befitting of a champion.
Leonard landed hard punches several times in the mid to late rounds but was unable to finish Benitez. The fight finally ended on a TKO in the 15th round. Sugar Ray Leonard was the welterweight champion of the world.
Sugar Ray Leonard Vs. Roberto Duran
Sugar Ray Leonard faced Roberto Duran in June of 1980. The fight happened at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada.
Duran was a tough, battle-ready Panamanian who earned victories in 71 of his 72 professional fights. He was also the undisputed lightweight champion of the world for six and a half years before moving up in weight. Many people regarded Duran as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. He received $1.5 million for fighting Leonard.
Leonard was a media darling at this point in his career. He was guaranteed $9 million with the opportunity to make more with his share of the closed-circuit revenue. Leonard also believed in his ability to defeat Roberto Duran.
Angelo Dundee instructed his fighter to counter the flat-footed brawling style used by Duran with his boxing ability. But Leonard had grown upset with what he considered continued disrespect from Duran during the buildup for the fight. Ray Leonard came to Montreal to fight.
The decision to brawl played into Duran’s more than willing hands. Roberto Duran’s record improved to 72-1 with his victory against Sugar Ray Leonard.
Sugar Ray Leonard Vs. Roberto Duran II
Leonard was not in the mood for a cold dish of revenge after suffering the first loss of his professional career. Instead, Sugar Ray Leonard stood center ring at the Lousiana Superdome in New Orleans five months after the defeat. Roberto Duran stared back at him.
Leonard used his boxing ability the second time around. It became clear early in the fight that his speed and movement were too much for Duran. Leonard began to taunt his opponent as the gap between the two fighters grew larger.
Duran would decide that the nearly eight rounds of frustration he endured were enough. He turned his back and uttered the now-famous words “no mas” before retiring from the fight.
Sugar Ray Leonard Vs. Thomas Hearns
Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns agreed to face off in “The Showdown” at Caesar’s Palace. Leonard made $11 million for the fight. Another $5 million went to Hearns.
Thomas Hearns was 32-0 and known to fight fans as The Hitman. He had already knocked out thirty opponents when he stepped into the ring with Leonard.
No one at the ringside was surprised with how the fight began. Leonard used his feet to maintain a safe distance from Hearns’ right hand while the taller man stalked his prey.
Hearns’ exceptional reach and stiff jab bothered Leonard throughout the first third of the fight. By round five, a mouse was visible under Leonard’s eye.
Ray Leonard, perhaps sensing he was behind on the scorecards, fought with more aggression. Leonard hurt Hearns with a left hook in round six. He dominated the action in rounds six and seven.
The roles in the fight reversed totally, and Hearns became the boxer. He was able to move and box his way into winning round nine through 12 on all scorecards. The performance was convincing enough to cause Angelo Dundee to implore his fighter with warnings of “You’re blowing it, Son.”
Leonard’s left eye was swollen when he left the corner for the thirteenth round. But this did not stop him from coming out with both guns blazing.
Leonard landed a right hand that hurt Hearns and quickly followed up with a flurry of punches. Hearns’ legs were gone, and he almost fell through the ropes.
Hearns returned to the fight after being disentangled from the ropes. He walked into another flurry from Leonard. The Hit Man survived the round but was stopped in the fourteenth with a barrage of punches from Leonard.
Sugar Ray Leonard emerged victorious in The Showdown despite Hearns being ahead on all judges’ scorecards. The bout earned Fight of the Year honors from Ring Magazine. Leonard was named Fighter of the Year by the publication.
Sugar Ray Leonard Vs. Marvin Hagler
A retirement, eye surgery, and several other complications clouded the career landscape for Sugar Ray Leonard before finally stepping into the ring with Marvelous Marvin Hagler on April 6, 1987.
Leonard started the fight on his toes. Hagler surprised fight fans by beginning the boxing match in an orthodox stance.
Hagler switched to his trademark southpaw stance after Leonard dominated the first two rounds. The tactical change benefitted Hagler, but Leonard’s speed continued to win out over the next couple of rounds.
By round five, Leonard showed the first signs of fatigue. Hagler pressed the attack and was finally able to close the distance between the two fighters. Hagler landed a right that buckled the knees of the opponent toward the end of the round. The bell rang with Leonard’s back against the ropes while Hagler continued a two-fisted attack.
Hagler continued the attack in the sixth round. Leonard found his legs would no longer keep him away from his opponent and began to depend on his hand speed instead. The two men engaged in multiple exchanges against the ropes. Hagler would launch furious attacks, but Leonard’s response was equal fury with his counter-punching each time.
The ninth round provided action that many believe to be the most memorable moments in either man’s career. Hagler landed a left hand that hurt Leonard. Hagler pressed his opponent and, for a moment, looked like he may finish Leonard against the ropes. But Leonard would launch a furious comeback each time it looked as if Hagler would take complete control. The back and forth action continued until the bell sounded to end the round. The two exhausted fighters headed back to their corners.
Things slowed down in the tenth as both men began the round a bit winded. Leonard leaned on his boxing ability in the eleventh round. He countered his opponent’s attacks with flashier punches that made an impression on the viewing audience.
Hagler chased Leonard in the twelfth round but was unable to corner him. When he did corner him, Ray Leonard returned fire with equal aggression. Sugar Ray Leonard won a split decision victory over Marvelous Marvin Hagler. But many fans and journalists felt the fight did not prove who was the better fighter between them. A perfect demonstration of how close many viewed the boxing match is apparent when considering the scorecards of 38 press members sitting at ringside.
Seventeen of the journalist felt Leonard deserved the victory. Another seventeen scored the fight for Hagler. The remaining scorecards tallied a draw.
Life After Boxing
Sugar Ray Leonard continues to find ways to help and entertain others years after lacing up his boxing gloves for the last time. He and his wife founded the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation in 2009. Leonard appeared on the television show Dancing with the Stars in 2011. Leonard also published his memoir, The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring, in 2011.