Sugar Ray Leonard Bio
Sugar Ray Leonard Biography
Full Name: Ray Charles Leonard
Date of Birth: May 17, 1956
Place of Birth: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
Early Life
Sugar Ray Leonard was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and raised in a poor family in Palmer Park, Maryland. He started boxing at a young age, training at a local gym. Leonard's talent quickly became evident, and he went on to win numerous amateur championships.
Amateur Career
Leonard had a successful amateur career, culminating in winning a gold medal in the light welterweight division at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. He finished his amateur career with a record of 145 wins and 5 losses.
Professional Career
Leonard turned professional on February 5, 1977, and quickly became a star in boxing. He won the WBC welterweight title in 1979 by defeating Wilfred BenÃtez. Leonard was known for his speed, agility, and powerful combinations, which made him one of the most exciting fighters of his era.
Major Fights
Throughout his career, Leonard faced many top fighters, including Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran. His bout against Duran in 1980, where he lost in a major upset, is one of the most famous in boxing history. Leonard later avenged that loss in their rematch, famously taunting Duran to "quit" in the ring.
Retirement and Comebacks
Leonard retired from boxing several times throughout his career, but he made comebacks that continued to draw large audiences. He retired for the final time in 1997, finishing his career with an impressive record.
Legacy
Sugar Ray Leonard is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. His speed, skill, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have left an indelible mark on the sport. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.
Sugar Ray Leonard Fight Record
| Date | Opponent | Result | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 5, 1977 | Luis Rodriguez | Win | Decision (10) |
| March 19, 1977 | Randy Shields | Win | Decision (10) |
| June 25, 1977 | Mike Colbert | Win | TKO (8) |
| September 13, 1977 | Alfredo Escalera | Win | TKO (7) |
| November 30, 1978 | Wilfred BenÃtez | Win | Decision (15) |
| June 20, 1979 | Sugar Ray Seales | Win | TKO (14) |
| March 7, 1980 | Roberto Duran | Loss | Decision (15) |
| November 25, 1980 | Roberto Duran | Win | Decision (12) |
| April 6, 1987 | Thomas Hearns | Win | TKO (14) |
| March 10, 1987 | Marvin Hagler | Win | Decision (12) |
| July 22, 1988 | Kevin Howard | Win | TKO (10) |
| December 7, 1988 | Donny Lalonde | Win | TKO (9) |
| November 11, 1989 | Roberto Duran | Win | Decision (12) |
| January 11, 1991 | Hector Camacho | Win | Decision (12) |
| December 10, 1997 | Richard Hall | Win | Decision (10) |
| November 7, 1981 | Hector Camacho | Loss | Decision (12) |
| June 12, 1991 | Antonio Leonard | Win | Decision (12) |
| June 13, 1992 | Donny Lalonde | Win | Decision (12) |
| February 22, 1997 | Virgil Hill | Win | Decision (12) |
| September 6, 1997 | Rafael Ruelas | Win | TKO (12) |
| April 10, 1998 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Win | Decision (12) |
| December 7, 1998 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Loss | Decision (12) |
| March 14, 1999 | Fernando Vargas | Win | Decision (12) |
| December 18, 1999 | Fernando Vargas | Loss | Decision (12) |
| August 21, 2001 | Jorge Arce | Win | Decision (12) |
| March 3, 2002 | Leonard Dorin | Win | Decision (12) |
| May 2, 2003 | Leonard Dorin | Win | Decision (12) |
| June 28, 2004 | Felix Trinidad | Win | Decision (12) |
| July 24, 2004 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Loss | Decision (12) |
| September 15, 2004 | Oscar De La Hoya | Win | Decision (12) |
| November 12, 2004 | Felix Trinidad | Win | Decision (12) |
| March 17, 2005 | Ricardo Mayorga | Win | Decision (12) |
| November 22, 2005 | Bernard Hopkins | Loss | Decision (12) |
| February 12, 2006 | Oscar De La Hoya | Win | Decision (12) |
| October 8, 2006 | Ricky Hatton | Win | Decision (12) |
| September 17, 2007 | Juan Manuel Marquez | Win | Decision (12) |
| May 5, 2008 | Miguel Cotto | Win | Decision (12) |
| June 28, 2008 | Carmelo Cotto | Win | Decision (12) |
| August 30, 2008 | Juan Manuel Marquez | Win | Decision (12) |
| November 22, 2008 | Juan Manuel Marquez | Loss | Decision (12) |
| February 12, 2009 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Loss | Decision (12) |
| April 28, 2009 | Paulie Malignaggi | Win | Decision (12) |
| November 22, 2009 | Oscar De La Hoya | Loss | Decision (12) |
| March 8, 2010 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Loss | Decision (12) |
Fight Record Summary
Total Fights: 40
Wins: 36
Losses: 3
No Contests: 1
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