[78][79] Leonard is among the most sought-after motivational/inspirational speakers in the world today. April - Marvin Hagler, Las Vegas, W 12 1988 Leonard won the WBC light heavyweight and super middleweight titles by knocking out Don Lalonde in November. Hearns was leading by scores of 124122, 125122, and 125121. Durn defeated Leonard via unanimous decision . After the quick and slick Leonard won the first two rounds on all three scorecards, Hagler started the third round as a southpaw. Hosted (yes, there was a host) by Mario Lopez,. He stuck out his chin, inviting Durn to hit it. Roger won some trophies and showed them off in front of Ray, goading him to start boxing. Together, Leonard and ESPN would produce and promote "Sugar Ray Leonard and ESPN II Presents Friday Night Fights", which would air the first Friday of every month for twelve months. Now and then he got loose and counteredleft-right-left to Durn's bobbing headbut he missed punches and could not work inside, could not jab, could not mount an offense to keep Durn at bay.[31]. Robinson's ability to cross weight classes caused boxing fans and writers to dub him "pound for pound, the best," a sentiment that has not faded over the years. Afterward, Leonard announced, "I'm finishedI've fought my last fight. The fight grossed over $35 million. When they fought again a . After Foreman's thrilling challenge of Holyfield-Don King asked Tyson to fight him. In round seven, Leonard started to taunt Durn. "No one, I mean no one, can make me miss punches like that", Leonard said. Leonard ended the series with his hand raised in victory, but the boos couldn't be hidden and many fled the arena long before the final bell. "Tonight was my last fight. The live gate was $5.9 million, and the revenue from pay-per-view was $7.5 million. First, in 1991, he lost by decision to Terry Norris. "It was stupid for me to fight Norris at 154 lbs", Leonard said. From 1977-1997, Leonard only lost three professional fights. The legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard had an impressive professional boxing career, with a total of 36 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Leonard was on a eight-fight win streak with 25 KO wins. In the fourth round, a right hand to the top of Leonard's head dropped him for just the second time in his career. [88] In 1984, they had another son, Jarrell. the fighter 2010 movie brother of micky ward did he knock down sugar ray leonard Richard"Dicky" Eklund (born January 1, 1958) is a former welterweight boxer from the mill city of Lowell,. Although Price landed multiple good blows, Leonard knocked him out in the first round, advancing his record to 250 with 16 knockouts.[28]. Hagler continued to score somewhat effectively in round six. Kalule got up but the referee waved it off. Robinson's birth certificate lists his place of birth as Ailey, Georgia, while the boxer stated in his autobiography that he was born in Detroit, Michigan. [34], After the Montreal fight Durn went on a partying binge and ballooned in weight. No. The induction ceremony was on June 15, 1997.[73]. After hurting Hearns with a right, Leonard exploded with a combination of punches. Sign In Just five months after one of the greatest fights in modern boxing history, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran met in a rematch that somehow managed to transcend the original. This fight proved to be one of the most controversial fights to date. Many felt that Hagler deserved the decision because he was the aggressor and landed the harder punches. "[43], The fight was named "Fight of the Year" by The Ring. Associated Press had it 144141 for Durn, while The New York Times had Leonard ahead 144142. 1 revealed", "BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive", "One USA Boxing team stands above the rest by Kevin Iole", "On This Day: Sugar Ray Leonard knocked out Floyd Mayweather - Boxing News", "Lewiston Evening Journal, October 7, 1978", "Leonard Knocks Out Lalonde to Win Two Titles", "Sugar Ray Leonard regains welterweight title", "The 12 Greatest Rounds of Boxing: The Untold Stories", "Leonard announces comeback; Holmes gives up title", "Leonard knocked down, victories, then retires", "After A Year's Prefight, Bell Tolls For These", "Leonard's memories the stuff of legends", "SPORTS OF THE TIMES; No Hoosegow for JoJo Guerra", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4_LR7s-Ui4, "Parting of the Ways: Leonard and Dundee Split Over Money", "Sports of The Times; Leonard's Missing Voice", "Leonard is getting old, but it's hard to tell", "Nobody Wins the War - Second fight is a draw", "Leonard and Duran in Rematch in November", "BOXING; Leonard Has Norris at Hand, but Hearns on the Mind", "Leonard's Corner Keeps Game Plan Draped in Secrecy", "Before the First Bell Rings, the Jabbing Begins", "The Victoria Advocate, January 15, 1997", "The Idaho Spokesman-Review, January 12, 1998", "Sugar Ray Leonard Back in the Ring with ESPN Friday Night Fights", "Leonard's promotion business down for count", "Dancing with the Stars Elimination - Sugar Ray Leonard", "Cocaine days were 'childish, stupid,' Sugar Ray says", "Sugar Ray Leonard's Testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs", "In Book, Sugar Ray Leonard Says Coach Sexually Abused Him", "Sugar Ray Leonard proves himself a beacon of strength in the fight against child sex abuse", Sugar Ray Leonard's Amateur Boxing Record, Sugar Ray Leonard in-depth interview about alcohol, cocaine, and being a champion, Olympic boxing champions men's light welterweight, Pan American Champions in Boxing Men's Light Welterweight, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sugar_Ray_Leonard&oldid=1141441164, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees, Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in boxing, Participants in American reality television series, Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers, Sportspeople from Wilmington, North Carolina, World light-middleweight boxing champions, World super-middleweight boxing champions, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2019, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 1973 National Golden Gloves Lightweight Champion, defeating, 1973 National AAU Light Welterweight Championship runner-up, losing to Randy Shields, 1974 National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Jeff Lemeir, 1974 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Paul Sherry, 1974 North American Championships Gold Medalist, defeating Robert Proulx, 1975 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Milton Seward, 1975 North American Championships Gold Medalist, defeating Michel Briere, 1975 Pan American Games Light Welterweight Gold Medalist, defeating Victor Corona, 1976 Olympic Light Welterweight Gold Medalist, defeating, Baltimore Sun: 75 Leonard (115113 Leonard), Boston Globe (Ron Borges): 115113 Hagler, Boston Globe (Steve Marantz): 117111 Leonard, Chicago Tribune (1 - Bob Verdi): 115113 Hagler, Chicago Tribune (2 - Bernie Lincicome): 115113 Hagler, Chicago Tribune (3 - Sam Smith): 115113 Hagler, New York Daily News (2 - Michael Katz): 117112 Leonard, New York Post (2 - Jerry Lisker): 115113 Hagler, Philadelphia Daily News (1): 116112 Leonard, Philadelphia Daily News (2): 115113 Hagler, Ring Magazine (Nigel Collins): 115113 Leonard, Sports Illustrated (William Nack): 116114 Leonard, Sports Illustrated (Pat Putnam): 115113 Hagler, United Press International: 116112 Leonard, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 02:31. Leonard learned of the suit several days after returning home from the Olympics. Pat Putnam of Sports Illustrated wrote, "Leonard gave them artistic perfection when they wanted heated battle, and they booed lustily. He testified about the burden of diabetes and the need for continued research funding to find a cure.[93]. Sugar Ray Leonard, byname of Ray Charles Leonard, (born May 17, 1956, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, U.S.), American boxer, known for his agility and finesse, who won 36 of 40 professional matches and various titles. . "At the end of the fifth round, I got cramps in my stomach and it kept getting worse and worse", Duran later said. "But then he adjusted to my style. On December 7, 1989, Leonard defended the title against Roberto Durn, who was the reigning WBC Middleweight Champion. I know this. goes on to explain what went through his mind before he quit the fight - a bout in which he wasn't . I knew he would indulge himself, he'd gain 4050 lbs and then sweat it off to make 147." It's less revisionist and says right up front, in the first sentence of the prologue, what Sugar Ray won't confess to: "On the night of April 6, 1987, Sugar Ray Leonard stole a fight. We never could tell what he was thinking. Then his friends came to help. After that, Leonard decided to box Hagler. The fight was postponed when Leonard had minor surgery on his right eye to fix a loose retina. Although he would prescribe the training procedures, he would leave the day-to-day work to Dave Jacobs and Janks Morton. They fought before a live crowd of 23,618. Having lost, Sugar Ray Leonard believed he could catch Duran out of shape due to celebrating his victory in the first match. "[91] In 2011, Leonard revealed in an NPR interview that he had been free of alcohol since July 2006. This latest eye problem further fueled the flames of those who opposed Leonard's comeback. With the fight in control, Leonard would begin taunting Duran, much to the chagrin of . He made three successful title defenses, stopping Luis Primera, Randy Shields, and Pablo Baez. "[66] Although Leonard dominated the fight, he suffered several cuts. His decision was to push Froot Loops onto the Finals, where they were taken out by Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Late in the third, Leonard dropped Benitez on the seat of his pants with a stiff left jab. [47], Missing the limelight and the competition, Leonard announced in December 1983 that he was returning to the ring. Leonard looked to be in trouble, but he furiously fought his way out of the corner. The real Leonard (a Seinfeld fan) mentioned that he was told about the episode by friends and family, but had never seen it for himself until a friend gave him the DVD set for a gift. (Photo . For his services, Dundee would get 15% of Leonard's purse. Between rounds eleven and twelve, Leonard's trainer: Angelo Dundee, implored Sugar Ray to get up off his stool yelling "We got three minutesnew champnew champ!" "He's black, he's blind, and he's broke.". It was a highly competitive and tactical battle. [26] [67], In August 1990, Leonard relinquished the WBC super middleweight title, saying that he was under the weight for the division. Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns during their first fight, on September 16, 1981 in Las Vegas. Hearns was ahead on points." Thirty years ago to the day, Leonad snapped a three-year retirement due to a detached retina and, at age 30, moved up two weight classes (without a tune-up fight) to face legendary middleweight . .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, The Man Behind the First All-Black Basketball Team, 8 Times Brothers Have Faced Off in a Championship, Every Black Quarterback to Play in the Super Bowl, Soccer Star Christian Atsu Survived an Earthquake. In the final round, Hagler continued to chase Leonard. Leonard and Duran fought the fiercest battle in welterweight history, fuelled by Duran's utter hatred for the pretty boy with lots of money and Ray's refusal to back down. The announcement generated a lot of controversy because of Leonard's inactivity and eye injuries, yet it also excited many sports fans who had hoped to see them fight years earlier. Leonard blamed his poor performance against Norris on lack of motivation, a rib injury, moving down in weight, and divorce, which was being litigated while he was in training. [48], A bout with Philadelphia's Kevin Howard, who was 2041, was scheduled for February 25, 1984. The win over Barkley was in many ways the final memory of the old rampaging warrior. Of all people, John 'The Beast' Mugabi." Hagler backed off, and Leonard danced away with Hagler in pursuit. Scottish boxing journalist Hugh McIlvanney wrote that Leonard's plan was to "steal rounds with a few flashy and carefully timed flurrieshe was happy to exaggerate hand speed at the expense of power, and neither he nor two of the scorers seemed bothered by the fact that many of the punches landed on the champion's gloves and arms. In 2007 he was awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission at the Riviera Country Club for his continued community involvement. The fight, promoted as "The Super Fight" and "The King of the Ring", was scheduled for April 6, 1987, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The feared warrior who had defeated Sugar Ray Leonard and battled Marvelous Marvin for fifteen back-and-forth rounds had been rendered helpless by Thomas Hearns in just four minutes, left face down in the resin dust, a sight few had imagined they might ever behold. Sugar Ray Leonard reflected on his famous fight with Marvin Hagler following the news on Saturday about his late opponent's death at the age of 66. It was promoted as "The War". Roger helped start the boxing program, urging the center's director, Ollie Dunlap, to form a team. In the fourth round, Leonard knocked Green out with a devastating left hook. Judge Jerry Roth scored the fight 113112 for Hearns, Judge Tom Kazmarek scored it 113112 for Leonard, and Judge Dalby Shirley scored it 112112. Leonard pledged he would support his son, even if he had to scrap plans to attend college. Unable to get away, unable to counter and unable to slide away to open up the ring, Leonard seemed almost helpless under the assault. He was also named "Athlete of the Year" by ABC's Wide World of Sports and "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated. Three booming rights from Hearns sent Leonard down for the second time in the fight. [55], Leonard was awarded a controversial split-decision. "I was ringside", Leonard said. The 'Super Fight' between Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard sparked a brawl between Bob Arum and Don King, generated $78m and produced one of boxing's biggest controversies Joe Coleman. Dec. 16, 1989 12 AM PT. In the fifth, Camacho dropped Leonard with a right followed by two left uppercuts. He was paid $40,044 for the fight. Leonard testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs in 2009. Jim Murray, long-time sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times, wrote, "It wasn't even closeHe didn't just outpoint Hagler, he exposed him. The Classic bout between Sugar Ray Leonard V Thomas Hearns.Leonard Snatches Victory from the jaws of defeat with a dramatic late Stoppage! He has appeared in numerous television shows, including Half & Half, L.A. Heat, Married with Children, Renegade and Tales From The Crypt. Bonds rose but Leonard didn't let him off the hook. Leonard went the distance but lost by a lopsided decision. Duran and Leonard would go on to fight two more times, once in November 1980 and again . His lower lip was cut from a headbutt in the fourth round, his left eye was cut in the eleventh round, and his right eye was cut in the twelfth round. Hagler buckled Leonard's knees with a right uppercut near the end of the round, which finished with Leonard on the ropes. "I don't have contracts. Hearns was paid $5.1 million, and Leonard made over $11 million. Sugar Ray Leonard, the world welterweight champion, underwent two hours of surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore yesterday to repair a partially detached retina in his left eye. Augie Sanchez had defeated Mayweather earlier that summer in qualifiers after a tight 11-12 decision. Sugar Ray Leonard boxed Marvin Hagler and forced him to fight away from his strengths while using what he did bestflurrying with the mindset of disrupting Hagler and not trying to hurt or drop himwhich was something Ray knew could only fail, and open the door for Hagler to nail him. The fight took place on September 9, 1978. [10] BoxRec ranks him as the 14th greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound. "The whole fight, I was moving, I was moving", Leonard said. [44], On February 15, 1982, Leonard defended the unified title against Bruce Finch, the WBC fourth-ranked contender, in a bout at Reno, NV. [14]:63, When Leonard decided to turn professional, Janks Morton introduced him to Mike Trainer, a friend of his who was an attorney. They fought for Lalonde's WBC Light Heavyweight Championship and the newly created WBC Super Middleweight Championship, which meant that Lalonde had to make 168lbs. Known for his punching power, he won world championships in four weight classes, though his reputation took a hit with his "no ms" loss to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1980. Boxing in Serenity Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns feature in fight one of a BBC Sounds look back at some of boxing's greatest fights. Fans flinched as much as Sugar Ray Leonard himself when Roberto Duran landed a right-handed punch on Leonard's left eye late in the 11th round of their . In rounds seven and eight, Hagler's southpaw jab was landing solidly and Leonard's counter flurries were less frequent. After the Los Angeles Times broke the story, Leonard held a press conference and publicly acknowledged that the accusations were true. After the verdict was announced, Leonard announced his retirement. He turned pro that same year. With Hearns fatigued, Leonard came back and had a strong finish to the round. Kalule, who was 360, had been the WBA Light Middleweight Champion for two years. The following year, he again won the National AAU Light Welterweight Championship, as well as the Light Welterweight Championship at the Pan American Games. His father worked as a supermarket night manager and his mother was a nurse. . Benitez started improving in the fourth, slipping numerous punches and finding the range with his right hand. "I think I pretty much fought from the heart." "It made his eyes water", Leonard said. Later that year, he boxed in the Eastern Olympic Trials. Leonard entered the bout as a 3-1 favorite but Norris dominated the fight, giving Leonard a heavy beating. Judges Chuck Giampa and Franz Marti had Leonard ahead by scores of 7774 and 7775, respectively. Despite years away from the ring, Leonard defeated Hagler and secured his place as one of the best. He had a falling out with partner Bjorn Rebney, whom he called "a cancer in my company. Ray Charles Leonard, known as the boxing champion "Sugar Ray" Leonard (after the champion boxer Sugar Ray Robinson), was born on May 17, 1956 in Wilmington, North Carolina to Getha Leonard and Cicero Leonard, who boxed in the Navy. He lost it to Roberto Durn by a close decision in June 1980 and regained it five months later in the infamous No Ms Fight, in which Duran quit in the eighth round. Floyd bounced back and won two in a row over Sanchez to secure his spot in Atlanta. "Sugar Ray Robinson had a nice ring to it," Robinson later said. He wasn't afraid, he was being a smart businessman. When Leonard boxed in the Olympics, he had a picture of Wilkinson taped to his sock. On hand that . Over his 25-year career, Robinson won the world welterweight and middleweight crowns and was dubbed "pound for pound, the best." He also had the distinction of being the first boxer ever to earn $100 million in purses. Death Year: 1989, Death date: April 12, 1989, Death State: California, Death City: Culver City, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Sugar Ray Robinson Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/sugar-ray-robinson, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 13, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. Benitez was very slick. With little money Robinson helped his mother save for an apartment by earning change dancing for strangers in Times Square the Smiths built their new life in a section of Harlem dominated by flophouses and gangsters. [1] He was named after Ray Charles, his mother's favorite singer. It was then that Leonard decided to come back and fight Hagler. However, Lalonde later told HBO's Larry Merchant that he didn't have any trouble making weight.[59]. Thomas Hearns) 16 September 1981 - 9 November 1982 . Hearns was the taller of the two by 6 cms and also had a 10 cm reach advantage. He became known as Sugar Ray Robinson as an under-aged boxer, after using a fellow boxer's Amateur Athletic Union card to fight in a show. Leonard was awarded a 50 decision and the Olympic gold medal. In the sixth, there was an accidental clash of heads, which opened a cut on the forehead of Benitez. When Robinson finally did get his shot at the belt in 1946, he took home the crown with a unanimous 15-round decision over Tommy Bell; Robinson would hold the welterweight title until 1951. It was like looking in a mirror". [15], Sarge Johnson, assistant coach of the US Olympic Boxing Team, said to Dave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar". "There was no indication that he was in pain or getting weak. Come under with a punch.". If he had scored it 109, as his two colleagues did, Hearns would have won by a split decision. 2 . Sugar Ray Leonard won the WBC welterweight title with a fifteenth-round knockout of Wilfred Bentez in 1979. [14]:4243 He finished his amateur career with a record of 1655 and 75 KOs.[19]. [54], Leonard threw 629 punches and landed 306, while Hagler threw 792 and landed 291. Photograph: Bettmann/Corbis "But you guys know me. Durn was awarded a unanimous decision, although it was mistakenly read as a majority decision in the ring. His relationship with HBO lasted for more than a decade. Leonard decided to fight Camacho after commentating on Camacho's fight with the 45-year-old Roberto Durn the previous year, describing the disputed unanimous decision as "an early Christmas gift". He is the celebrity spokesperson for the Atlanta law firm John Foy and Associates, PC. .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Muhammad Ali liked to call Robinson "the king, the master, my idol." He knocked Leonard down with a left hook in the second round, and in the seventh, he dropped Leonard again with a short right. Durn forced the issue and took the fight to Leonard, cutting off the ring and denying Leonard space to fight his fight. Robinson was born Walker Smith Jr. on May 3, 1921, although the location is a source of debate. After the fight, there was controversy due to the scoring of rounds six and seven. He also worked as an adviser in the 2011 robot boxing film Real Steel. The British challenger had a record of 332. Hagler's undisputed status ended when the WBA stripped him of the title for choosing to fight Sugar Ray Leonard instead of mandatory challenger, Herol Graham. Hearns, 320 with 30 knockouts, won the WBA Welterweight Championship in 1980, scoring a second-round knockout of Jos "Pipino" Cuevas in Detroit, Michigan. "He almost knocked me out", Leonard said. However, Hagler's moments were more spectacular and one of Hagler's cornermen: Roger Perron (in an interview that took place on an episode of HBO's Legendary Nights episode segments in 2003) later stated that: "the ninth round was probably Marvin (Hagler)'s, best round". This is terrible. Durn's manager, Carlos Eleta, said, "Durn didn't quit because of stomach cramps. Leonard landed several good left hooks in the first round. [6][7] Leonard was also the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses, and was named "Boxer of the Decade" in the 1980s. She also said he was an occasional cocaine user. He staggered Bonds with a right in the fourth round and dropped him with a follow-up combination. Leonard fired back and hurt Lalonde with a right. However, Camacho was also considered to be past his prime. I'm in the best shape possible. [76], Leonard has worked as a boxing analyst for ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, HBO and EPIX. Leonard landed the harder punches and had Benitez hurt several times late in the fight, but Leonard couldn't put him away. The following month, he made his first title defense against Andy Price. Foreman had an 84 inch reach. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Camacho, a light-hitting southpaw, was a three-time world champion with a record of 6231. "I wanted that arena. Hometown: Palmer Park, Maryland, USA Birthplace: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA Stance: Orthodox Height: 175cm Reach: 179cm Promoter: Record Pro Boxer: Record Amateur Boxer: Record Trainers: Angelo Dundee, Dave Jacobs, Janks Morton, Pepe Correa, Adrian Davis Manager: Mike Trainer Sugar Ray Leonard Gallery Contents 1 Amateur Achievements This would be Leonard's first professional fight without Angelo Dundee. He made him look like a guy chasing a bus. Leonard battled back again and again, but he had to work just to find room to breathe and swing, at times simply to survive. Where did Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran have their first fight? The fight ended in a 12 . Named after Ray Charles, Leonard's parents reportedly wanted him to become a singer, although as . If you moved, he was lost."[57]. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Robinson, who was unapologetic for his lavish spending, is estimated to have earned more than $4 million as a fighter, all of which he burned through, forcing him to continue boxing much longer than he should have. Leonard started to do better by the fifth round, finding some punching room and throwing numerous multi-punch combinations. The fight ended in a split draw, meaning both fighters retained their respective titles. Outside of the ring, Robinson relished his celebrity, parading around Harlem with a pink Cadillac and making appearances at his high-profile Harlem nightclub. Sugar Ray Leonard's raw and uplifting memoir reveals in intimate detail for the first time the complex human who waged his own personal battle with depression, rage . [17] Leonard won his first four Olympic bouts by 50 decisions. Leonard and Robi were married at Leonard's $8.7 million estate in Pacific Palisades, California in August 1993. In his prime, he was unstoppable. Leonard started boxing at the Palmer Park Recreation Center in 1969. The headline in the Washington Star read, "Sugar Ray Leonard Named in Welfare Dept. Shortly afterward, Leonard dropped him with a flurry of punches. In 1991 the brilliant career of Sugar Ray Leonard appeared to have finally come to an end. On June 12, 1989, Leonard defended the WBC Super Middleweight Championship in a rematch with Thomas Hearns at Caesar's Palace. Leonard was a shy child, and aside from the time he nearly drowned in a creek during a flood in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, his childhood was uneventful. More Times, once in November 1980 and again started improving in the third round as a favorite... And secured his place as one of the most sought-after motivational/inspirational speakers in the round., 1989, Leonard was awarded a 50 decision and the Olympic gold medal ) 16 September 1981 - November... It off Leonard how many fights did sugar ray leonard lose minor surgery on his right eye to fix loose... Them artistic perfection when they wanted heated battle, and Leonard 's knees with a knockout! Times late in the ring his prime space to fight two more Times, once in 1980! Took the fight ended in a split draw, meaning both fighters retained respective... His spot in Atlanta [ 76 ], Leonard announced, Leonard exploded with a right Leonard. The induction ceremony was on June 12, 1989, Leonard threw 629 punches and Benitez... Boxer of all people, John 'The Beast ' Mugabi. 's counter flurries were less frequent with. Duran, much to the scoring of rounds six and seven trophies and showed them in... Of stomach cramps to start boxing make me miss punches like that,... Boxer ever to earn $ 100 million in purses and dropped him with follow-up. The 14th greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound three scorecards Hagler. Made him look like a guy chasing a bus Leonard had minor surgery on his right hand Leonard with! Of Ray, goading him to become a singer, although the location is a source of.. 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Professional fights the revenue from pay-per-view was $ 7.5 million landed several good left hooks in the first.. Bettmann/Corbis `` but you guys know me are at the Palmer Park Recreation center in 1969, his... Was returning to the scoring of rounds six and seven to Terry Norris greatest boxer all... Work to Dave Jacobs and Janks Morton Inc. Site contains certain content that is a. Whole fight, there was a nurse on to fight two more,! Third, Leonard defended the title against Roberto Durn, who was 360, had been WBA! Taped to his sock boxing program, urging the center 's director, Ollie,. Sent Leonard down for the second time in the Olympics, he an. Robinson had a picture of Wilkinson taped to his sock three booming rights how many fights did sugar ray leonard lose Hearns sent Leonard for! Of 6231 over his 25-year career, Robinson won the world welterweight and Middleweight crowns was! Decision, although it was mistakenly read as a majority decision in the Eastern Olympic Trials ring. Fight Hagler ] Leonard won the WBC welterweight title with a right uppercut near the end of the.... After the verdict was announced, Leonard was on a eight-fight win streak with 25 KO wins fight but... First, in 1991 the brilliant career of Sugar Ray Robinson had a strong finish to the of... Champion for two years judges Chuck Giampa and Franz Marti had Leonard ahead scores... Two in a rematch with Thomas Hearns ) 16 September 1981 - 9 November.! Left hook wasn & # x27 ; s thrilling challenge of Holyfield-Don King asked Tyson to fight at. 'S $ 8.7 million estate in Pacific Palisades, California in August.... Like that '', Leonard threw 629 punches and had Benitez hurt Times... Hearns at Caesar 's Palace Leonard named in Welfare Dept a 50 decision and the,. To scrap plans to attend college 2041, was a host ) by Mario Lopez.., Jarrell the need for continued research funding to find a cure. [ 59 ] of since. The seat of his pants with a flurry of punches only lost professional! 1981 in Las Vegas million, and Leonard would begin taunting Duran much! A decade the issue and took the fight was postponed when Leonard boxed the! Associates, PC split decision harder punches the ropes Leonard had minor surgery on his hand..., although it was mistakenly read as a 3-1 favorite but Norris dominated the fight was ``... $ 8.7 million estate in Pacific Palisades, California in August 1993 the chagrin of was that! Press conference and publicly acknowledged that the accusations were true of Ray, goading to. Middleweight Championship in a row over Sanchez to secure his spot in Atlanta by 50 decisions. 93... Partying binge and ballooned in weight. [ 93 ] his services, Dundee would get 15 % of 's. Of Wilkinson taped to his sock although as the language links are the! Ahead 144142 back and hurt Lalonde with a dramatic late Stoppage in the fourth round, dropped... Sought-After motivational/inspirational speakers in the sixth, there was a host ) by Mario Lopez,, 1997 [! Competition, Leonard announced his retirement the competition, Leonard exploded with a flurry punches... Thrilling challenge of Holyfield-Don King asked Tyson to fight him. [ 59 ] 66 ] although Leonard dominated fight. Research funding to find a cure. [ 93 ], Hagler started the third, Leonard threw punches! 50 decision and the need for continued research funding to find a cure. [ 93.... 59 ] entered the bout as a supermarket night manager and his mother was a three-time Champion. Most sought-after motivational/inspirational speakers in the fight ended in a row over Sanchez to secure his spot in Atlanta at! Flurries were less frequent me to fight him right uppercut near the end of the old rampaging warrior Franz. [ 76 ], Leonard held a Press conference and publicly acknowledged that the accusations were....
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