Sugar Ray Leonard is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, known for his speed, agility, and tactical prowess.
He was part of the "Four Kings" of boxing during the 1980s, alongside Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler, with whom he had legendary bouts.
Leonard won a gold medal in the light welterweight division at the 1976 Montreal Olympics before turning professional.
Throughout his career, Leonard was known for his comebacks, retiring and returning to the ring multiple times, often facing top-tier opponents after long layoffs.
Beyond boxing, Leonard has worked as a motivational speaker, actor, and boxing analyst, contributing significantly to the sport's popularity.
Titles and Achievements:
World Titles:
WBC Welterweight Champion (1979-1980, 1980-1982)
The Ring Welterweight Champion (1979-1980, 1980-1982)
WBA Welterweight Champion (1981-1982)
WBA Junior Middleweight Champion (1981)
The Ring Junior Middleweight Champion (1981)
WBC Middleweight Champion (1987)
The Ring Middleweight Champion (1987)
WBC Super Middleweight Champion (1988-1989)
WBC Light Heavyweight Champion (1988)
Notable Achievements:
First boxer to earn over $100 million in purses.
Named "Boxer of the Decade" for the 1980s.
Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.
Notable Fights:
Vs. Wilfred Benítez (November 30, 1979): Won by TKO in the 15th round to claim The Ring and WBC World Welterweight titles.
Vs. Roberto Durán I (June 20, 1980): Lost by unanimous decision, marking his first professional defeat.
Vs. Roberto Durán II (November 25, 1980): Won by TKO in the 8th round in the famous "No Más" fight, regaining The Ring and WBC World Welterweight titles.
Vs. Thomas Hearns I (September 16, 1981): Won by TKO in the 14th round to retain The Ring, WBC and win WBA World Welterweight titles.
Vs. Marvin Hagler (April 6, 1987): Won by split decision to capture The Ring and WBC World Middleweight title after a three-year hiatus from boxing.