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Leonard – Benitez 1979 photo by Soulremake –

10 Top Facts about Legendary Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard

One of the greatest fighters to ever get into the ring is without a doubt the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard. Being renowned for his dexterity and elegance, when he first put on the gloves, his remarkable career took boxing to a whole new level. His career has been nothing short of flawless, and this is a result of the manner he gained notoriety by excelling in the ring.

His talent, however, extended beyond the ring, and years after his retirement, he continued to have a significant impact on society. Leonard, along with other outstanding boxers of the 1980s, brought competition to the sport, and it was through him that we saw someone who was both swift and skilled. Leonard possessed a high in-ring IQ and put impressive records under his resume. Check out these top 10 facts about this legendary boxer.

1. Leonard was named after Ray Charles

Photo of Ray Charles in one of his classic poses at the piano. photo by William Morris Agency –

The fifth of Cicero and Getha Leonard’s seven children, Ray Charles Leonard, better known as “Sugar” Ray Leonard, was born on May 17, 1956, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was given the name Ray Charles in honour of his mother’s favourite musician.

When he was three, the family relocated to Washington, D.C., and when he was 10, they made Palmer Park, Maryland their permanent home. He went to Parkdale High. Being a bit of a loner who spent a lot of time reading comic books and playing with his dog made him a shy youngster.

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2. Leonard started boxing in 1969

In 1969, Leonard began boxing at the Palmer Park Recreation Center. Roger, his older brother, was the first to begin boxing. The family’s most talented athlete, Roger used to play numerous sports alongside his other brother, Kenny. Roger persuaded the centre’s director, Ollie Dunlap, to create a team, which helped launch the boxing program.

Former boxers Dave Jacobs and Janks Morton offered their services as coaches for the sport. Ray was encouraged to begin boxing by Roger, who had won various awards and displayed them in front of him hence motivating Leonard to start boxing himself at Palmer Park.

3. He won the 1973 National Golden Gloves

Golden gloves photo by Mariodpl –

Although Randy Shields defeated Leonard in the lightweight National AAU Tournament final in 1973, Leonard had won the National Golden Gloves Lightweight Championship. The next year, Leonard captured both the national AAU and Golden Gloves Lightweight titles. In 1974, as an amateur, Leonard lost his final two games.

When his amateur career came to a close, he had won three national Golden Gloves championships, two amateur athletic titles, a light welterweight Olympic gold medal and the light welterweight title at the 1975 Pan American Games. His amateur career came to an end with a record of 165-5 and 75 knockouts.

4. He turned pro because of financial difficulties at home

Sugar Ray Leonard training for his fight with Tommy “hit man” Hearns photo by Mark Mathosian –

Following his gold medal victory, Leonard had intended to get rich endorsement deals, but the paternity suit’s unfavourable publicity stymied any significant business opportunities. His mother had a heart attack, and his father was hospitalized for meningitis.

Leonard decided to turn pro since none of his parents could find employment, he had a child and the mother of his child to support, and there were no prospects for endorsements. Leonard’s manager and trainer was Muhammad Ali’s former trainer, Angelo Dundee. On February 5, 1977, Leonard made his professional debut in front of 10,270 spectators at the Baltimore Civic Center.

5. Leonard won his first WBC Welterweight title in 1979

Leonard – Benitez 1979 photo by Soulremake –

The WBC Welterweight Championship match between Leonard and Wilfred Benitez took place on November 30, 1979, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a very strategic and tough battle. Leonard delivered a powerful left punch late in the third that caused Benitez to land on the floor. Late in the battle, Leonard used his heavier blows to damage Benitez numerous times, but he was unable to stop him.

Leonard floored Benitez with a left hand late in the fifteenth round. He stood up, but the referee stopped the battle after a couple more hits and Leonard was declared the new WBC Welterweight champion. Leonard was selected “Fighter of the Year” for 1979 by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

6. He came out of retirement thrice

Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran photo by Gotfryd, Bernard –

Leonard’s first and second retirement from boxing came in 1982 and 1984 respectively but was enticed to come back in April 1987 to take on Marvin Hagler. Leonard won the bout, winning the WBC middleweight championship in what is regarded as one of the all-time great professional boxing fights.

After losing a battle for the WBC super welterweight title in 1991, Leonard once more retired. He made a comeback in 1997 to take on Hector Camacho, but he was defeated by a technical knockout in the fifth round. After the bout, he declared retirement with a record of 36 victories (25 by knockout), 3 defeats, and 1 draw.

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7. He won titles in five different weight classes

Charles A. Jensen and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard photo by Gage Skidmore –

Five different weight divisions saw Sugar Ray Leonard claim world titles. Between 1977 and 1997, Leonard fought professionally. His final four matches were when he suffered two of his three defeats since he was coming off his peak years. Between 1979 and 1988, Leonard won the WBA, WBC Welterweight, WBA Super Middleweight and the WBC Middleweight, Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Titles in addition, he held the titles for the Lineal Welterweight, Super Welterweight, and Middleweight weight classes.

8. Leonard was the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses

Sugar Ray Leonard while in training for the fight with Tommy Hearns photo sourced from

Leonard became the first athlete in the sport to earn $100 million in purses. He won several huge prizes from the opponents he faced thanks to his larger-than-life status inside the ring.

Leonard received a guarantee of more than $20 million in prize money from the combined Hearn’s fights. In addition, he received $7 million for the Duran bout and $12 million for the Hagler match. His purses had astounding quantities at the time that can only be seen today. At that time, he was the box office.

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9. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997

Sugar Ray Leonard signs autographs photo by EricEnfermero –

Leonard was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. The announcement came in January 1997. According to the regulations, a boxer was ineligible to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame until he or she has been retired for five years. Leonard was qualified despite having a bout booked since he had been retired for more than five years at the time of the voting. On June 15, 1997, the induction ceremony took place.

10. Leonard published his first autobiography in 2011

Leonard’s first autobiography, THE BIG FIGHT: My Life in and Out of the Ring, was published in 2011. Leonard reveals that during his formative years as a boxer, an Olympic trainer sexually assaulted him. Since then, he has been in public to raise awareness of the problem of child sex abuse. He urges victims to come out with their abuse and report it for help.

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