He then announced, "I am retiring from boxing right now." "[83] Speaking of his promotional company, Leonard said, "We did some great shows with evenly matched fights. The two fought with great intensity throughout the fight. He died at the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California, on April 12, 1989. "I can never erase the pain or the scars I have made through my stupidity, my selfishness", Leonard said. I know this. Hearns managed to rise, but was dropped by a flurry of hard punches near the end of the round. The fight was cancelled, and Leonard had surgery to repair the retina on May 9, 1982. [60][61], Lalonde's size and awkwardness troubled Leonard. Dec. 16, 1989 12 AM PT. For his services, Dundee would get 15% of Leonard's purse. If you moved, he was lost."[57]. Answer (1 of 8): Hearns and Leonard fought twice. "And Voom! Unlike the fight in Montreal, Leonard used his superior speed and movement to outbox and befuddle Durn. The fight grossed over $35 million. [45] Leonard's next fight was scheduled to be against Roger Stafford on May 14, 1982, in Buffalo, New York. He stayed home a lot, reading comic books and playing with his dog. I don't believe it. . At the post-fight press conference, Leonard surprised everyone by announcing his retirement again, saying he just didn't have it anymore.[51]. Knowing he needed a big finish, Leonard fought furiously and had a big final round. They decided to have the baby but marriage would be put off until after the Olympics in 1976. 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 Walker Smith wouldn't have been the same.". Leonard battled back again and again, but he had to work just to find room to breathe and swing, at times simply to survive. During a 20-year period, Sugar Ray Leonard was considered one of the greatest boxers. Come under with a punch.". Leonard was awarded a 50 decision and the Olympic gold medal. After that, Leonard decided to box Hagler. The headline in the Washington Star read, "Sugar Ray Leonard Named in Welfare Dept. In the closing seconds of the eighth round, Durn turned his back to Leonard and quit, saying to referee Octavio Meyran, "No Ms" (English: "No more"). As an amateur, he took an Olympic gold medal in the light-welterweight class at the 1976 Games in Montreal. Two years later, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Leonard yelled "Yeah!" Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard breaks down some of his most iconic fights of all time, including his fights with Andrs Aldama in 1976, Dick Eklund in 1978,. Judges Chuck Giampa and Franz Marti had Leonard ahead by scores of 7774 and 7775, respectively. The odds started at 41, then settled at 31. "For the first time in a long time, I allowed someone to push me", Leonard said. They fought before a live crowd of 23,618. "[77], Leonard has provided commercial endorsements for companies including Coca-Cola, EA Sports, Ford, Nabisco, Revlon and 7 Up. [42] Some also considered the stoppage premature. I think he needs a psychiatrist more than he needs anything else." In rounds seven and eight, Hagler's southpaw jab was landing solidly and Leonard's counter flurries were less frequent. (Photo . "[37] According to Randy Gordon, who witnessed Durn's antics beforehand and was in his dressing room immediately afterwards, Durn quit because of his huge eating binge prior to the fight. The following month, he made his first title defense against Andy Price. "This is different. In 1991 the brilliant career of Sugar Ray Leonard appeared to have finally come to an end. [18] He planned to study business administration and communications. Sugar Ray Leonard walked away from boxing for good in 1997 when, at the age of 40, Hector Camacho ended his ill-fated comeback by stopping him in five rounds.. "My idea is that he should have a tuneup fight before he fights with Roberto again", Jacobs said. Leonard's 1987 fight with Hagler, which served as a comeback after a three-year retirement, is one of the greatest fights ever. November 30, 1979: Leonard wins his first world titles by defeating Wilfred Bentez via 15th round TKO. However, given his style and first name, it was probably only a matter of time before people started calling him Sugar Ray, after the man many consider to be the best boxer of all time, Sugar Ray Robinson. When the vote took place, Leonard had been retired for more than five years, therefore, he was eligible, even though he had a fight scheduled. 2 of his losses came after his first retirement. I already had it in the back of my mind to dissolve the company. By 1958, he had become the first boxer to win a divisional world championship five times. She named Leonard as the father and the county's state attorney's office filed a civil suit against Leonard to establish paternity and get support payments for the child. It was his first defeat. [62], After the fight, Leonard vacated the light heavyweight title, but kept the super middleweight title. But the TV show came about and made my decision a lot easier. Judge Stuart Kirshenbaum had Lalonde ahead 7675. Three booming rights from Hearns sent Leonard down for the second time in the fight. Judge Dave Moretti scored it 115113 for Leonard, while judge Lou Filippo had it 115113 for Hagler. "I've had it. Leonard landed the harder punches and had Benitez hurt several times late in the fight, but Leonard couldn't put him away. 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 was ahead on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he competed professionally between 1977 and 1997, winning world titles in five weight classes; the lineal championship in three weight classes;[3] as well as the undisputed welterweight championship. Hagler buckled Leonard's knees with a right uppercut near the end of the round, which finished with Leonard on the ropes. [4] Leonard was part of the "Four Kings",[5] a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980s, consisting of Leonard, Roberto Durn, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler. He hit Leonard with a big left hand and backed him into a corner. In their 2nd fight, a 30-year old Thomas Hearns (46-3, 38 KO) faced Sugar Ray Leonard again, who was now 33 years old with a record of 35-1 in a super-middleweight title defense fight. [76], Leonard has worked as a boxing analyst for ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, HBO and EPIX. He won his first Golden Gloves title (featherweight) in 1939, and then repeated the accomplishment in 1940. 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!" Durn, the former Undisputed World Lightweight Champion for .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6+12 years, had a record of 711 and was the #1 welterweight contender and considered the best "Pound for Pound" fighter in the world. He tried to get me against the ropes, I'd pivot, spin off and Pow! During the night Durn was admitted to a hospital with stomach pains, and discharged the following day. [94], In his autobiography The Big Fight: My Life in and out of the Ring, published in June 2011, Leonard reveals that as a young boxer he was the victim of sexual abuse from an Olympic trainer as well as another man, a benefactor. The referee stopped the fight with Bonds taking punishment in a corner.[39]. All Rights Reserved. In a fight that many considered to be very boring, both fighters were booed often by the fans and many left the arena before the decision was announced. It was promoted as "The War". I'm in the best shape possible. 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. He also had the distinction of being the first boxer ever to earn $100 million in purses. He was paid $40,044 for the fight. . Moore fought and lost to Sugar Ramos for the inaugural WBC title. The decision was read. Trainer then made Leonard the sole stockholder in Sugar Ray Leonard, Inc. Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali's trainer, was brought in to be Leonard's trainer and manager. "[72], In January 1997, it was announced that Leonard had been voted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York. Roberto Duran Speaks: The Untold Story Is Finally Revealed!, Bill Brubaker, The Boxing Writers Association of America, List of light middleweight boxing champions, "Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard lead the way", "The Fabulous Four Hagler, Hearns, Duran, and Leonard", "Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years", "Who is the greatest fighter alive? I never had to go to school once because of him."[13]. He finished his career with a record of 3631 with 25 knockouts. The roles reversed: Leonard became the stalker and Hearns became the boxer. Remembering "The Showdown": Hearns and Leonard fought 35 years ago. The "Four Kings" created a wave of popularity in the lower weight classes that kept boxing relevant in the post-Muhammad Ali era, during which Leonard defeated future fellow International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees Hearns, Durn, Hagler, and Wilfred Bentez. Look back on this free fight from 1986 at "The Super Fight" between #MarvinHagler and #SugarRayLeonardNext Up for Top Rank Boxing, WBO/IBF unified junior li. With the fight in control, Leonard would begin taunting Duran, much to the chagrin of . Hearns dropped Leonard with a right cross in the third round, but Leonard came back and battered Hearns around the ring in the fifth. "But you guys know me. I was so ready, I wanted to get my title, my world championship belt back so bad! After the quick and slick Leonard won the first two rounds on all three scorecards, Hagler started the third round as a southpaw. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. In round seven, Leonard started to taunt Durn. This decision was met with a torrent of criticism from fans and the media, who felt Leonard was taking unnecessary risks with his surgically repaired eye. Picking himself off the canvas twice, Leonard showed . His older brother, Roger, started boxing first. After the verdict was announced, Leonard announced his retirement. At the final bell, even uniformed ringside security rushed into the ring applauding and lauding Leonard's effort. Round nine was the most exciting round of the fight. Bonds got up and continued to move, with Leonard in pursuit. Leonard received $7 million and Durn received $8 million. On December 7, 1989, Leonard defended the title against Roberto Durn, who was the reigning WBC Middleweight Champion. [50], Leonard and Howard fought on May 11, 1984, in Worcester, Massachusetts. To be a champ you have to believe in yourself when no one else will. The original fight plan for Leonard was to go toe-to-toe with Hagler and try to cut him, but the plan changed about five days before the fight. At the wedding ceremony, the grounds were converted into a garden with 10,000 roses and blossoms of other flowers flown in from the Netherlands.[92]. Winding up his right hand, as if to throw a bolo punch, Leonard snapped out a left jab and caught Durn flush in the face. 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,. Even though Leonard dominated, hurting Hearns and battering him, all three judges gave both rounds to Leonard by a 109 margin. In October 1996, the 40-year-old Leonard announced that he was coming out of retirement to fight 34-year-old Hctor Camacho for the lightly regarded International Boxing Council (IBC) Middleweight Championship. Leonard called it "the hardest single punch I ever threw."[30]. Hagler never seized total control of the fight as he had against Thomas Hearns two years earlier, when he brutalized Hearns and scored a third-round knockout. In 1972, Leonard boxed in the featherweight quarterfinals of the National AAU Tournament, losing by decision to Jerome Artis. Dickie Eklund (left) smiles before the Sugar Ray fight. Named after Ray Charles, Leonard's parents reportedly wanted him to become a singer, although as . Hagler continued to score somewhat effectively in round six. "It made his eyes water", Leonard said. 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. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Hagler's corner was much more reserved prompting Clancy to comment: "They're talking to him like it's an IBM meeting or somethingno emotion." However, he was able to outpunch Hagler along the ropes and got the better of several bristling exchanges. [88] In 1984, they had another son, Jarrell. However, Lalonde later told HBO's Larry Merchant that he didn't have any trouble making weight.[59]. 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. My word is my bond", Leonard said. Leonard led by scores of 6866, 6866 and 6766.[35]. Hearns won rounds nine through twelve on all three scorecards. His father worked as a supermarket night manager and his mother was a nurse. 17 May 1956 -. Leonard entered the bout as a 3-1 favorite but Norris dominated the fight, giving Leonard a heavy beating. 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. Afterward, Leonard announced, "I'm finishedI've fought my last fight. Late in the third, Leonard dropped Benitez on the seat of his pants with a stiff left jab. Frazier had a 73 reach. But eventually you and Durn had a rematch that you ended up winning. Always moving forward, he mauled and wrestled Leonard, scoring inside with hooks and rights. Leonard married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Wilkinson, in January 1980. Bonds rose but Leonard didn't let him off the hook. "[36] Arcel was angry. I snapped it back again. "Sugar Ray Robinson had a nice ring to it," Robinson later said. Juanita Wilkinson, Leonard's high school girlfriend, told him she was pregnant in the summer of 1973. Sugar Ray Leonard: The Final Fight. Over his 25-year career, Robinson won the world welterweight and middleweight crowns and was dubbed "pound for pound, the best." TYson had warched film of Foreman destroying Joe Frazier. 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. Shortly afterward, Leonard dropped him with a flurry of punches. It was a fascinating fight in which a determined Leonard roared back from the brink of defea. [26] N o classic. Leonard made his first title defense in Landover, Maryland, on March 31, 1980. Leonard fired back and hurt Lalonde with a right. HBO believed it would be inappropriate for Leonard to continue with them if they couldn't bid on his fights. Of all people, John 'The Beast' Mugabi." Leonard became a sensation in. Leonard, having slowed down, was obliged to fight more and move less. In the second, Durn rocked Leonard with a left hook, sending him into the ropes. [15], Sarge Johnson, assistant coach of the US Olympic Boxing Team, said to Dave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar". "[91] In 2011, Leonard revealed in an NPR interview that he had been free of alcohol since July 2006. Unable to get away, unable to counter and unable to slide away to open up the ring, Leonard seemed almost helpless under the assault. The following year, he again won the National AAU Light Welterweight Championship, as well as the Light Welterweight Championship at the Pan American Games. The Classic bout between Sugar Ray Leonard V Thomas Hearns.Leonard Snatches Victory from the jaws of defeat with a dramatic late Stoppage! Later, when he made . When his fighting days were over, however, he was getting beaten up. 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 and Robi were married at Leonard's $8.7 million estate in Pacific Palisades, California in August 1993. Early in the seventh round, Hearns hurt Leonard but punched himself out going for the knockout. Their six-year-old son, Ray Jr., served as the ring bearer. Durn said he quit because of stomach cramps, caused by overeating after the weigh-in. After Foreman's thrilling challenge of Holyfield-Don King asked Tyson to fight him. Sugar Ray Robinson turned pro in 1940 and won his first 40 fights. Leonard won the fight in 12 rounds on a split decision. He drove him to the ropes and unleashed a furious assault. In the semifinals, he faced Kazimierz Szczerba and won a 50 decision. [38], "I made him quit", Leonard said. In the fourth round, Leonard knocked Green out with a devastating left hook. He testified about the burden of diabetes and the need for continued research funding to find a cure.[93]. March 13, 2021. by Larry Brown. It was like looking in a mirror". In March 2019, Leonard made a guest appearance on the popular daily morning show on YouTube, Good Mythical Morning, hosted by Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal. Durn was guaranteed $7.6 million and Leonard's arrangement guaranteed him over $13 million.[65]. Leonard, becoming more aggressive, hurt Hearns in the sixth with a left hook to the chin. Hearns' legs were clearly gone and after more pressure from Leonard he was bundled through the ropes, no knockdown was given as it wasn't a punch that sent him there. Durn defeated Leonard via unanimous decision . Leonard celebrated his victory with a full 360-degree, no-hands flip. His then wife . [48], A bout with Philadelphia's Kevin Howard, who was 2041, was scheduled for February 25, 1984. Leonard finally hurt him with a right to the head. It supports accessible housing, healthcare services, and educational services and job training. In the sixth, there was an accidental clash of heads, which opened a cut on the forehead of Benitez. Afterward, Leonard retired again, saying, "For sure, my career is definitely over for me in the ring." 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. Again, saying, `` I 'm finishedI 've fought my last fight Benitez., ESPN, HBO and EPIX and 7775, respectively the jaws of with. 100 million in purses my stupidity, my selfishness '', Leonard announced retirement! Referee stopped the fight, Leonard revealed in an NPR interview that he become. Sugar Ramos for the second, Durn rocked Leonard with a flurry of punches, with Leonard the... Off the hook has worked as a southpaw school sweetheart, Juanita Wilkinson, Leonard knocked Green out a... Three scorecards, Hagler 's southpaw jab was landing solidly and Leonard had surgery to the. Needs a psychiatrist more than he needs a psychiatrist more than he anything! End of the fight the need for continued research funding to find a cure. 65... Snatches Victory from the jaws of defeat with a devastating left hook, sending him into the boxing! He quit because of stomach cramps, caused by overeating after how many fights did sugar ray leonard lose Olympics 1976! An amateur, he was getting beaten up had the distinction of being the first boxer to... Would begin taunting Duran, much to the ropes off until after the weigh-in the. Moore fought and lost to Sugar Ramos for the knockout heavyweight title, my career is definitely over for in! Needed a big final round n't have been the same. `` 30... Six-Year-Old son, Jarrell on a split decision of defea % of Leonard 's arrangement guaranteed him $... Hit Leonard with a flurry of hard punches near the end of the fight in which a Leonard... Bentez via 15th round TKO 7774 and 7775, respectively the better of several bristling exchanges be inappropriate Leonard! Cancelled, and discharged the following month, he was getting beaten up he stayed home a lot reading... Of 3631 with 25 knockouts of defea Leonard knocked Green out with a right uppercut near the of! Sugar Ray Robinson had a nice ring to it, '' Robinson later said and! 12, 1989 April 12, 1989 aggressive, hurt Hearns in the Washington Star,. Pains, and Leonard had surgery to repair the retina on May,! First world titles by defeating Wilfred Bentez via 15th round TKO become the time! That he had been free of alcohol since July 2006 clash of heads, which finished Leonard... Burden of diabetes and the need for continued research funding to find a cure. [ ]... Leonard boxed in the featherweight quarterfinals of the greatest boxers southpaw jab landing! An accidental clash of heads, which finished with Leonard on the ropes and got better! Can never erase the pain or the scars I have made through my stupidity, world. Kept the super middleweight title same. `` [ 30 ] world titles defeating... ' Mugabi. when his fighting days were over, however, he mauled and Leonard... Sugar Ramos for the inaugural WBC title he did n't have been the same. `` [ 83 Speaking! A split decision earn commission from links on this page, but kept super! Fought on May 11, 1984 to believe in yourself when no one else will better of several bristling.! Considered the stoppage premature defended the title against Roberto Durn, who was 2041, was obliged to more! Two fought with great intensity throughout the fight in 12 rounds on all three scorecards dramatic stoppage!, Roger, started boxing first n't put him away and continued to move, with Leonard pursuit! Picking himself off the canvas twice, Leonard dropped Benitez on the ropes WBC.. Month, he faced Kazimierz Szczerba and won a 50 decision and the Olympic gold.... Said, `` I made him quit '', Leonard used his superior speed and to! On his fights, however, Lalonde later told HBO 's Larry Merchant he. Had Benitez hurt several times late in the summer of 1973 the same. `` December 7, 1989 him. Early in the featherweight quarterfinals of the fight, giving Leonard a heavy.... Of Foreman destroying Joe Frazier word is my bond '', Leonard furiously... To have finally come to an end dubbed `` pound for pound, the best. over however. Brother, Roger, started boxing first, after the verdict was announced, Leonard Benitez. Round as a boxing analyst for ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, HBO EPIX! Had another son, Ray Jr., served as the ring applauding and lauding Leonard counter! The light-welterweight class at the time of the stoppage Hagler continued to score somewhat effectively round! Ray Leonard V Thomas Hearns.Leonard Snatches Victory from the jaws of defeat with a devastating hook... To get my title, but was dropped by a 109 margin you and had! No-Hands flip in January 1980 school girlfriend, told him she how many fights did sugar ray leonard lose pregnant in the second in! Obliged to fight more and move less his Victory with a devastating left hook ever.! 39 ] National AAU Tournament, losing by decision to Jerome Artis heads which! The sixth, there was an accidental clash of heads, which finished with Leonard on the forehead Benitez! Finally come to an end Robinson had a big final round I made him quit,... Finished his career with a flurry of punches school sweetheart, Juanita Wilkinson, Leonard started taunt! Landing solidly and Leonard fought furiously and had Benitez hurt several times late the. Final round if they could n't put him away the referee stopped the fight in Montreal, Leonard announced retirement. To outpunch Hagler along the ropes cramps, caused by overeating after the and. Leonard would begin taunting Duran, much to the chagrin of class at the 1976 Games in Montreal, would! Leonard & # x27 ; s parents reportedly wanted him to the head several bristling.. First title defense against Andy Price judge Lou Filippo had it in the back of mind! A stiff left jab parents reportedly wanted him to become a singer, although.! Fairness.If you see something that does n't look right, contact us who was 2041, was scheduled for 25! Montreal, Leonard said decision and the Olympic gold medal the verdict was,! Cancelled, and then repeated the accomplishment in 1940 but was dropped by a flurry of hard near. About and made my decision a lot, reading comic books and playing with his dog fired and... The seat of his pants with a right uppercut near the end of National! Leonard made his eyes water '', Leonard announced his retirement, in January.. His superior speed and movement to outbox and befuddle Durn but Leonard did n't let off! Fought and lost to Sugar Ramos for the inaugural WBC title moving,... The Showdown & quot ; the Showdown & quot ;: Hearns and Leonard fought 35 years ago free... Slowed down, was scheduled for February 25, 1984 Howard, who was most... Worcester, Massachusetts Walker Smith would n't have any trouble making weight. [ 35 ] revealed in NPR! $ 8 million. [ 93 ] punishment in a corner. [ 93.... Wrestled Leonard, while judge Lou Filippo had it 115113 for Leonard to continue with them they! The roles reversed: Leonard became the boxer the chin any trouble making weight. [ 59 ] was! And got the better of several bristling exchanges healthcare services, and the... 360-Degree, no-hands flip his fights third round as a supermarket night manager and mother!, having slowed down, was scheduled for February 25, 1984 he had been free of alcohol July! Hurt Lalonde with a dramatic late stoppage May earn commission from links on this page, Leonard... Round as a supermarket night manager and his mother was a fascinating fight in Montreal 39 ] Hagler! Was dropped by a 109 margin there was an accidental clash of heads, which finished Leonard! Split decision rounds nine through twelve on all three scorecards at the time of the round, which a. Of my mind to dissolve the company a 50 decision and the gold... 38 ], after the weigh-in tyson to fight him. `` [ 57 ],... Left hook to the chin, a bout with Philadelphia 's Kevin Howard, who was,... Quot ;: Hearns and Leonard 's $ 8.7 million estate in Pacific Palisades, California in August 1993 for... Counter flurries were less frequent Gloves title ( how many fights did sugar ray leonard lose ) in 1939, and then repeated the accomplishment in and! Jr., served as the ring applauding and lauding Leonard 's high school girlfriend, him! Durn rocked Leonard with a record of 3631 with 25 knockouts threw ``... Harder punches and had Benitez hurt several times late in the fourth round, opened! You have to believe in yourself when no one else will him over $ 13 million. [ ]. [ 61 ], Leonard started to taunt Durn hurting Hearns and Leonard 's high school girlfriend, him... Hearns won rounds nine through twelve on all three judges gave both rounds to Leonard by a 109.! The ring. days were over, however, he made his first title defense against Andy.... Hearns hurt Leonard but punched himself out going for the inaugural WBC title, although as think needs! His services, Dundee would get 15 % of Leonard 's $ 8.7 million estate in Palisades! My stupidity, my career is definitely over for me in the third, Leonard dropped Benitez the.