Boxing – Sugar Ray Leonard – Lightweight / Welterweight / Middleweight / Champions – L E’s Stories Specia l- “From Tassels On His Boxing Shoes With A Photo Of His Girlfriend…..To No Mas No Mas” – Our Salute To The Legend Of Sugar Ray Leonard
Our 12,000+ vintage video library really started in 1976….cuz that is when Bone Daddy put his 1st satellite dish on the ground….which was a 10 meter Scientific Atlanta dish….and required the entire lot at 406 E. 6th Street in downtown Austin, TX…..for once The Dish was in place…..the more events that BD would record….as he would show them throughout the coming week’s hours of operation….and the video library grew by leaps and bounds. So, here’s a thought….if each video cassette that BD taped events like the Welterweight Title Fight with Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran….and each blank cassette cost $7.95 (which it did)…..and by the time that the entire 2300 hours of video tape was finished in 1991….which had created 7667 different cassette with 3 hrs. of content….and folks….that is $61,000 costs in blank tape alone, dedicated to this ImaSportsphile library….and that was a lot of money back then. The Golden Age of Boxing ran from 1964….when Cassius Clay (Ali) took the title from Sonny Liston ….and ran through 1997….when Mike Tyson took on Evander Holyfield…..which was 31 years that BD refers to as The Golden Age of Boxing….for it is his opinion that every weight division that was contested for a world championship crown had at least one legendary fighter…..with the majority of divisions having anywhere from 2 – 6 “legends of boxing”…..so, take the welterweight division during this era…..there were Wilfredo Benetiz, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto….so, four that were legends…..or the heavyweight division with Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield ….all of whom are boxing legends. I said all of that to say this….in our ImaSportsphile boxing section, we have more Muhammad Ali content by than any other boxer….with Sugar Ray Leonard holding strongly to the 2nd position….as we probably have 23 of his entire fights on tape…..w/ another 40 videos with him in the video….so, he more than deserves his showcase here today.
Boxing – 1977 – 10 Rnd Super Lightweight Bout – Willie Rodriguez Vs Sugar Ray Leonard
Ray Charles Leonard was named after the legendary singer Ray Charles…. but was best known as “Sugar Ray”….who is an American former professional boxer, boxing television analyst and commentator, motivational speaker and occasional actor…..and is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time….while competing from 1977 to 1997…..during which he won world titles in five different weight divisions…. while also being the lineal championship in three weight divisions….as well as the undisputed welterweight title holder. Leonard was part of “The Fabulous Four”….which was a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980’s, consisting of Leonard, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler. “The Fabulous Four” 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, Durán, Hagler and Wilfred Benítez. Leonard was also the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses….and was named “Boxer of the Decade” in the 1980’s.The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1979 and 1981….while the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1976, 1979 and 1981. In 2002, Leonard was voted by The Ring as the 9th greatest fighter of the last 80 years. BoxRec ranks him as the 14th greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound.
Boxing – 1977 To 1995 – Special Documentary – “The Fabulous Four” With Sugar Ray Leonard + Thomas Hearns + Roberto Duran + Marvin Hagler
When Leonard decided to turn professional, Janks Morton introduced him to Mike Trainer, a friend of his who was an attorney….who talked 24 of his friends and clients into underwriting Leonard’s career with an investment of $21,000 to be repaid within four years at 8% interest…..as Trainer then made Leonard the sole stockholder in Sugar Ray Leonard, Inc…..and that is when Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali’s trainer, was brought in to be Leonard’s trainer and manager. Many of the people being considered wanted absolute control and a cut somewhere near the manager’s traditional 33%….but Dundee had a different proposition. Although he would prescribe the training procedures, he would leave the day-to-day work to Dave Jacobs and Janks Morton….while he would also choose Leonard’s opponents…..and for his services, Dundee would get 15% of Leonard’s purse.
Boxing – 1977 To 1997 – Special – Highlights Of Sugar Ray Leonard’s Amazing Speed + Punch Combinations
Leonard made his professional debut on February 5, 1977 before a crowd of 10,270 at the Civic Center in Baltimore…..for which he was paid $40,044 for the fight…..while his opponent was Luis “The Bull” Vega ….whom he defeated by a six-round unanimous decision….and after the fight, Leonard paid back his $21,000 loan to the investors. In his fourteenth professional fight, Leonard fought his first world-ranked opponent, Floyd Mayweather….who was ranked 17th…..as the fight took place on September 9, 1978….. when Leonard won by a tenth-round knockout. A month later, Leonard defeated his old amateur nemesis Randy Shields by a ten-round unanimous decision…..then on August 12, 1979, Leonard knocked out Pete Ranzany in four rounds to win the NABF Welterweight Championship. The following month, he made his first title defense against Andy Price….who was an up-and-coming contender who was sponsored by Marvin Gaye….and had a reputation for prolonged bouts in earlier fights….who was believed by sports reporters to be able to defeat or give a long fight to Leonard. Although Price landed multiple good blows, Leonard knocked him out in the 1st round….thus advancing his record to 25–0 with 16 knockouts.
Boxing – 1978 – NABF Welterweight Title – Andy Price Vs Sugar Ray Leonard – With Howard Cosell Behind The Mike
Leonard fought Wilfred Benítez for the WBC Welterweight Championship on November 30, 1979 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. There was a capacity crowd of about 4,600…..as Leonard received $1 million….and Benitez, a two-division champion with a record of 38–0–1, received $1.2 million. It was a highly competitive and tactical battle….as in the first round, Leonard rocked Benitez with a left hook that came off a jab and right cross…..then late in the third, Leonard dropped Benitez on the seat of his pants with a stiff left jab…..as Benetiz was more embarrassed than hurt, when he got up quickly. Benitez started improving in the 4th….while slipping numerous punches and finding the range with his right hand. “I wasn’t aware I was in a championship early because I hit him so easy”, Leonard said. “But then he adjusted to my style. It was like looking in a mirror”. In the sixth, there was an accidental clash of heads….which opened a cut on the forehead of Benitez…..as the blood flowed down his forehead and the bridge of his nose….but stayed out of his eyes. Leonard landed the harder punches and had Benitez hurt several times late in the fight….but Sugar Ray couldn’t put him away….for Benitez was very slick….which caused Leonard to say….“No one, I mean no one, can make me miss punches like that”. Going into the final round, Leonard led by scores of 137–130, 137–133, and 136–134…..that is when the two went toe-to-toe in the 15th….when late in the round, Leonard dropped Benitez with a left. He got up, but after a few more punches, the referee stopped the fight. The time was 2:54 of round fifteen. The Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring named Leonard “Fighter of the Year” for 1979.
Boxing – 1979 – WBC Welterweight Title – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Wilfredo Benitez – With Howard Cosell On The Call
Leonard made his first title defense in Landover, Maryland on March 31, 1980…..with his opponent being Dave “Boy” Green…..as the British challenger had a record of 33–2…..when In the 4th round, Leonard knocked Green out with a devastating left hook…..as Leonard called it “the hardest single punch I ever threw.”
Boxing – 1979 – WBC Welterweight Title – Dave “Boy” Green Vs Sugar Ray Leonard – With Chris Schenkel On The Call
On June 20, 1980, Leonard returned to the Olympic Stadium in Montreal to defend his title against Roberto Durán before a crowd of 46,317…..as Durán, the former Undisputed World Lightweight Champion for 6 1/2 years, had a record of 71–1….and was the # 1 welterweight contender….while being considered the best “Pound for Pound” fighter in the world. Durán received $1.5 million and Leonard, working for a percentage of the closed-circuit gate as well as a guarantee, received over $9 million. Angelo Dundee counseled Leonard to box, to move side to side and not to get caught on the ropes. However, Leonard decided to fight Durán’s way. “Flat-footed”, he said. “I will not run.” Durán forced the issue and took the fight to Leonard….while cutting off the ring and denying Leonard space to fight his fight….as Durán attacked at almost every turn….when Leonard battled back again and again…. but he had to work just to find room to breathe and swing, at times simply to survive. In the second, Durán rocked Leonard with a left hook, sending him into the ropes. Leonard started to do better by the fifth round, finding some punching room and throwing numerous multi-punch combinations. The two fought with great intensity throughout the fight. According to Bill Nack….“It was, from almost the opening salvo, a fight that belonged to Durán. The Panamanian seized the evening and gave it what shape and momentum it had. He took control, attacking and driving Leonard against the ropes, bulling him back, hitting him with lefts and rights to the body as he maneuvered the champion against the ropes from corner to corner. Always moving forward, he mauled and wrestled Leonard, scoring inside with hooks and rights. For three rounds Durán drove at Sugar Ray with a fury, and there were moments when it seemed the fight could not last five. Unable to get away, unable to counter and unable to slide away to open up the ring, Leonard seemed almost helpless under the assault. Now and then he got loose and countered—left-right-left to Durán’s bobbing head—but he missed punches and could not work inside, could not jab, could not mount an offense to keep Durán at bay.” Durán was awarded a unanimous decision, although it was mistakenly read as a majority decision in the ring. The scorecard of judge Angelo Poletti was incorrectly added and announced as 147–147. He actually scored it 148–147. In rounds, he had it three for Durán, two for Leonard, and ten even. Sports Illustrated called his scorecard “a monument to indecision.” Judges Raymond Baldeyrou and Harry Gibbs scored the fight 146–144 and 145–144, respectively. Associated Press had it 144–141 for Durán, while The New York Times had Leonard ahead 144–142. “I did the best I could”, Leonard said. “I think I pretty much fought from the heart.” Asked if Leonard was the best he ever fought, Durán thought for a moment and then answered, “Si, si.” Durán said. “He does have a heart. That’s why he’s living.”
Boxing – 1980 – WBC Welterweight Title – Roberto Duran Vs Sugar Ray Leonard – Fight 1 – In “The Brawl From Montreal”
The rematch, billed as “Stone vs. Sugar.. Once Again“, took place November 25, 1980 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans in front of 25,038 fans….as Leonard received $7 million and Durán received $8 million. Dave Jacobs disagreed with the decision to have an immediate rematch with Durán and terminated his relationship with Leonard when the rematch was made. “My idea is that he should have a tuneup fight before he fights with Roberto again”, Jacobs said. “I think he won the fight with Durán, but I don’t think it is healthy for him to be fighting Durán right away”. After the Montreal fight, Durán went on a partying binge and ballooned in weight….whereas Leonard was aware of this…..and in an interview for Beyond the Glory he said: “My intention was to fight Durán ASAP because I knew Durán’s habits. I knew he would indulge himself, he’d gain 40–50 lbs and then sweat it off to make 147.”….when unlike the fight in Montreal, Leonard used his superior speed and movement to outbox and befuddle Durán. “The whole fight, I was moving, I was moving”, Leonard said. “And Voom! I snapped his head back with a jab. Voom! I snapped it back again. He tried to get me against the ropes, I’d pivot, spin off and Pow! Come under with a punch.”….then in round seven, Leonard started to taunt Durán….as Leonard’s most memorable punch came late in the round…..while winding up his right hand, as if to throw a bolo punch, Leonard snapped out a left jab and caught Durán flush in the face…..“It made his eyes water”, Leonard said…..so, he continued to taunt Durán mercilessly…..and even stuck out his chin, inviting Durán to hit it. Durán hesitated and Leonard kept it up, continuing to move, stop, and mug…..then in the closing seconds of the 8th round, Durán turned his back to Leonard and quit….while saying to referee Octavio Meyran, “No Más No Mas” (“No more No more”)….and Leonard was the winner by a technical knockout at 2:44 of round eight….while regaining the WBC Welterweight Championship….as Leonard led by scores of 68–66, 68–66 and 67–66. Durán said he quit because of stomach cramps, caused by overeating after the weigh-in. “At the end of the fifth round, I got cramps in my stomach and it kept getting worse and worse”, Duran later said. “I felt weaker and weaker in my body and arms.” He then announced, “I am retiring from boxing right now.” During the night Durán was admitted to a hospital with stomach pains, and discharged the following day.
Boxing – 1980 – WBC Welterweight Title – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Roberto Duran – Fight II – In “No Mas No Mas” With Howard Cosell Behind The Mike
Everyone was surprised by Durán’s actions, none more so than his veteran trainers, Freddie Brown and Ray Arcel. “I was shocked”, Brown said. “There was no indication that he was in pain or getting weak.” Arcel was angry. “That’s it”, he said. “I’ve had it. This is terrible. I’ve handled thousands of fighters and never had anyone quit on me. I think he needs a psychiatrist more than he needs anything else.” Durán’s manager, Carlos Eleta, said, “Durán didn’t quit because of stomach cramps. He quit because he was embarrassed. I know this.” According to Randy Gordon, who witnessed Durán’s antics beforehand….and was in his dressing room immediately afterwards said tht Durán quit because of his huge eating binge prior to the fight. “I made him quit”, Leonard said. “To make a man quit, to make Roberto Durán quit, was better than knocking him out.”
Music – 1980 – Superdome In New Orleans Live At Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Roberto Duran Fight II – Ray Charles Sings “America The Beautiful”
On March 28, 1981, Leonard defended his title against Larry Bonds, the WBC sixth-ranked contender, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Bonds was a southpaw, which made him a good opponent for Leonard, given that his next opponent was scheduled to be the WBA Light Middleweight Champion Ayub Kalule, a southpaw. Leonard was the aggressor throughout, with Bonds circling the ring. He staggered Bonds with a right in the fourth round and dropped him with a follow-up combination. Bonds got up and continued to move, with Leonard in pursuit. Leonard dropped him again in the tenth. Bonds rose but Leonard didn’t let him off the hook. The referee stopped the fight with Bonds taking punishment in a corner.
Boxing – 1981 – WBC Welterweight Title – Larry Bonds Vs Sugar Ray Leonard – With Barry Tompkins + Larry Merchant
Leonard moved up to the junior middleweight division and faced Kalule on June 25, 1981 at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas….which Bone Daddy and Prince Of Pleasure saw live….after having driven to H-town the afternoon before the fight….while getting a great parking space close to the Astrodome….and being adept at the art of buying “nosebleed tickets” just to get into The Dome….and then finding seats close to the action…..that was the plan that the boys used to sit on the front row of the mezzanine section of the Astrodome….which was close to the action in the ring. Kalule, who was 36–0, had been the WBA Light Middleweight Champion for two years. Kalule and his handlers had expected Leonard to use lateral movement against him, but Leonard chose to fight inside instead. After eight tough rounds, Leonard was ahead although Kalule appeared to be coming on strong in the eight and ninth. Leonard finally hurt him with a right to the head. Shortly afterward, Leonard dropped him with a flurry of punches. Kalule got up but the referee waved it off. Leonard celebrated his victory with a full 360-degree, no-hands flip. Despite an official stoppage time of 2.59, the fight was actually stopped at 3.06 into the round, meaning Kalule should have been saved by the bell…..and after questioning Bone Daddy what he thought about the referee’s call….when his comment was “Kalule did not seem to be in real danger…..and in a championship fight, I believe there are only two ways to take a champion’s title….by knockout….or by beating the Champ into submission….and that was no the case with Kalule when the fight was called.
Boxing – 1981 – WBA Jr. Middleweight Title – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Ayub Kalule – With Marv Alber + Dr Ferdie Pacheco On The Call
Promoted as “The Showdown”, Leonard fought Thomas Hearns on September 16, 1981 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to unify the World Welterweight Championship in a scheduled fifteen-rounder. They fought before a live crowd of 23,618. Hearns was paid $5.1 million, and Leonard made over $11 million. The fight grossed over $35 million. The live gate was $5.9 million, and the revenue from pay-per-view was $7.5 million. Hearns, 32–0 with 30 knockouts, won the WBA Welterweight Championship in 1980, scoring a second-round knockout of José “Pipino” Cuevas in Detroit, Michigan. He made three successful title defenses, stopping Luis Primera, Randy Shields, and Pablo Baez. The fight began as expected, Leonard boxing from a distance and Hearns stalking. Leonard had difficulty with Hearns’ long reach and sharp jab. By the end of round five, Leonard had a growing swelling under his left eye…. and Hearns had built a considerable lead on the scorecards…..but as Leonard, became more aggressive, he hurt Hearns in the 6th with a left hook to the chin…..as Leonard battered Hearns in rounds six and seven…..but Hearns regrouped. Hearns started to stick and move….as he started to pile up points again…..then the roles reversed as Leonard became the stalker and Hearns became the boxer. The fight billed as a classic showdown between a powerful knockout artist and the best boxer/puncher the welterweight division had seen in decades developed into a tactical and boring fight…..while Hearns won rounds nine through twelve on all three scorecards…..so, between rounds twelve and thirteen is when Angelo Dundee told Leonard, “You’re blowing it, son! You’re blowing it!”….and that is when Sugar Ray, with a badly swollen left eye, came out roaring for the 13th round….when after hurting Hearns with a right, Leonard exploded with a combination of punches…..as Hearns’ legs were clearly gone….and after more pressure from Leonard, he was wrapped through the ropes….as no knockdown was given….cuz it wasn’t a punch that sent him there. Hearns managed to rise…..but was dropped by a flurry of hard punches near the end of the round. In round fourteen….when after staggering Hearns with an overhand right….Ray pinned Hearns against the ropes….where he unleashed another furious combination….which prompted referee Davey Pearl to stop the contest….and award Sugar Ray Leonard the Unified World Welterweight Championship. Hearns was leading by scores of 124–122, 125–122, and 125–121.
Boxing – 1981 – WBC + WBA Welterweight Title – Thomas Hearns Vs Sugar Ray Leonard – With Gil Clancy + Tim Ryan
After the fight, there was controversy due to the scoring of rounds six and seven. Even though Leonard dominated, hurting Hearns and battering him, all three judges gave both rounds to Leonard by a 10–9 margin. Many felt that the ten-point must scoring system was not properly used and those rounds should have been scored 10–8. Some also considered the stoppage premature. Veteran ringside commentator Don Dunphy said “They’re stopping the fight. I don’t believe it. Hearns was ahead on points.” However, Emanuel Steward, Hearns’ manager and trainer, said, “I felt that the referee was justified in stopping the fight … Tommy did not have enough energy to make it through the fight.” The fight was named “Fight of the Year” by The Ring…..while Sugar Ray Leonard was named “Fighter of the Year” by The Ring and The Boxing Writers Association of America. He was also named “Athlete of the Year” by ABC’s Wide World of Sports and “Sportsman of the Year” by Sports Illustrated….that’s how big this fight was….as our Bone Daddy calls it one of the “Top 10 Best Fights’ in our incredible 480 title fights in our library.
Boxing – 1981 – Post Fight Interviews – World Welterweight Unification Title Fight – With Thomas Hearns + Sugar Ray Leonard
On February 15, 1982, Leonard defended the unified title against Bruce Finch, the WBC fourth-ranked contender, in a bout at Reno, NV. Leonard knocked him out in the third round. Leonard’s next fight was scheduled to be against Roger Stafford on May 14, 1982, in Buffalo, New York. While training, Leonard started to see floaters. He went to a doctor and discovered that he had a detached retina. The fight was cancelled, and Leonard had surgery to repair the retina on May 9, 1982. On November 9, 1982, Leonard invited Marvin Hagler and other boxing dignitaries to a charity event in Baltimore, Maryland to hear him announce whether he would continue his career. Standing in a boxing ring with Howard Cosell, the master of ceremonies, Leonard announced his retirement, saying a bout with Hagler would unfortunately never happen. Leonard maintained his eye was fully healed, but that he just didn’t want to box anymore.
Boxing – 1982 -World Welterweight Title – Bruce Finch Vs Sugar Ray Leonard – With Howard Cosell On The Call
Boxing – 1982 To 1984 – Highlights Of Sugar Ray Leonard From Retirement To His Comeback
Missing the limelight and the competition, Leonard announced in December 1983 that he was returning to the ring….when Sugar Ray boasted that he would have a couple of ten-round bouts….and then take on Milton McCrory, Donald Curry, Durán, Hearns and finally Hagler in that order…as this decision was met with torrid criticism from fans and the media…..who felt Leonard was taking unnecessary risks with his surgically repaired eye. A bout with Philadelphia’s Kevin Howard, who was 20–4–1, was scheduled for February 25, 1984…..but the fight was postponed when Leonard had minor surgery on his right eye to fix a loose retina…..as this latest eye problem further fueled the flames of those who opposed Leonard’s comeback. Before the fight with Howard, Dave Jacobs rejoined Leonard’s team in a limited role….after having quit in 1980 while disagreeing with Leonard’s decision to have an immediate rematch with Durán. Leonard and Howard fought on May 11, 1984, in Worcester, Massachusetts….when Howard knocked Leonard flat on his back in the 4th round….which was the first knockdown of Leonard’s professional career…..but Ray came back to stop Howard in the 9th round….but the stoppage was disputed….with some feeling that the referee stopped the fight prematurely. Leonard was ahead on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage…..while at the post-fight press conference, Leonard surprised everyone by announcing his retirement again, saying he just didn’t have it anymore.
Boxing – 1984 – 10 Round Middleweight Fight – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Kevin Howard – With Chris Schenkel On The Call
On March 10, 1986, Marvin Hagler knocked out John Mugabi in eleven rounds to retain the Undisputed World Middleweight Championship for the 12th time….while advancing his record to 62–2–2…..but Sugar Ray was at the fight saying “I was ringside and I‘m watching John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi outbox Hagler…..of all people, John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi.” It was then that Leonard decided to come back and fight Hagler….. as he called Mike Trainer and said, “I can beat Hagler”…..so on May 1, 1986, Leonard announced on a Washington, D.C. talk show that he would return to the ring to fight Hagler. 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…..then Hagler took a few months to decide and finally agreed to the match. 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. Leonard was guaranteed $11 million, and Hagler was guaranteed $12 million…..as Hagler was a heavy favorite with odds that started at 4–1….and then settled at 3–1. A paying crowd 12,379 generated a live gate of $6.2 million. According to Bob Arum, the fight grossed $78 million (which equates to $170 million in 2016). 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….when Leonard got hit by sparring partner Quincy Taylor and was badly buckled. “He almost knocked me out”, Leonard said. After that, Leonard decided to box Hagler.
Boxing – 1987 – World Middleweight Title – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Marvelous Marvin Hagler – With Gil Clancy + Tim Ryan
Many were surprised that Hagler, a natural southpaw, opened the fight boxing out of an orthodox stance. After the quick and slick Leonard won the first two rounds on all three scorecards, Hagler started the third round as a southpaw. Hagler did better, but Leonard’s superior speed and boxing skill still allowed him to control the fight. Hagler looked stiff and mechanical and missed the speedy Leonard time and again prompting CBS ringside commentator Gil Clancy to remark “…and is he ever missing…Leonard isn’t doing anything to make him miss, he’s just missing!”By the fifth, Leonard, who was moving a lot, began to tire and Hagler started to get closer. Hagler buckled Leonard’s knees with a right uppercut near the end of the round, which finished with Leonard on the ropes. Hagler continued to score somewhat effectively in round six. Leonard, having slowed down, was obliged to fight more and move less. However, he was able to outpunch Hagler along the ropes and got the better of several bristling exchanges. 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. Hagler’s punches lacked snap and, although he was scoring solidly to the body, he looked nothing like the powerful fighter who had dominated the middleweight division for the previous five years. Leonard’s observation that the Hagler who beat John Mugabi was older and slower proved to be spot on. In rounds seven and eight, Hagler’s southpaw jab was landing solidly and Leonard’s counter flurries were less frequent. Round nine was the most exciting round of the fight. Hagler hurt Leonard with a left cross and pinned him in a corner. Leonard looked to be in trouble, but he furiously fought his way out of the corner. The action see-sawed back and forth for the rest of the round, with each man having his moments. 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”. Round ten was tame by comparison, as the pace slowed after the furious action of the previous round but with Hagler having more spectacular moments. Despite Leonard’s obvious fatigue, he boxed well in the eleventh. Every time Hagler scored, Leonard came back with something flashier and more eye-catching, if not as effective. But at that point in the fight, Hagler appeared to be slightly more ring-general and clearly more aggressive. Between rounds eleven and twelve, Leonard’s trainer: Angelo Dundee, implored Sugar Ray to get up off his stool yelling “We got three minutes…new champ…new champ!” Leonard yelled “Yeah!” and played to the screaming crowd. Hagler’s corner was much more reserved prompting Clancy to comment: “They’re talking to him like it’s an IBM meeting or something…no emotion.” In the final round, Hagler continued to chase Leonard. He hit Leonard with a big left hand and backed him into a corner. Leonard responded with a furious flurry, landing few punches but whipping the upset-hoping crowd into a frenzy. Hagler backed off, and Leonard danced away with Hagler in pursuit. The fight ended with Hagler and Leonard exchanging along the ropes. At the final bell, even uniformed ringside security rushed into the ring applauding and lauding Leonard’s effort.
Boxing – 1987 – World Middleweight Title Highlights – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Marvelous Marvin Hagler
Leonard threw 629 punches and landed 306, while Hagler threw 792 and landed 291. Leonard was awarded a controversial split-decision. Judge Dave Moretti scored it 115–113 for Leonard, while judge Lou Filippo had it 115–113 for Hagler. Judge José Guerra scored the fight 118–110 for Leonard. Many felt that Hagler deserved the decision because he was the aggressor and landed the harder punches. Scottish boxing journalist Hugh McIlvanney wrote that Leonard’s plan was to “steal rounds with a few flashy and carefully timed flurries…he 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.” Many others felt that Leonard deservedly got the decision, arguing that Leonard landed more punches and showed better defense and ring generalship. Jim Murray, long-time sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times, wrote, “It wasn’t even close…He didn’t just outpoint Hagler, he exposed him. He made him look like a guy chasing a bus. In snowshoes…Leonard repeatedly beat Hagler to the punch. When he did, he hit harder. He hit more often…He made Hagler into what he perceived him to be throughout his career—a brawler, a swarmer, a man who could club you to death only if you stood there and let him. If you moved, he was lost.”
Boxing – 1987 – HBO Special Documentary – Legendary Nights: The Tale Of Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Sugar Ray Leonard At Caesars Palace – With Host Jim Lampley
The scorecards from the ringside press and broadcast media attest to the polarizing views and opinions of the fight:
ABC (Howard Cosell): 117–112 Leonard
Associated Press: 117–112 Hagler
Baltimore Sun: 7–5 Leonard (115–113 Leonard)
Boston Globe (Ron Borges): 115–113 Hagler
Boston Globe (Steve Marantz): 117–111 Leonard
Boston Herald: 116–113 Leonard
CBS (Gil Clancy): 115–113 Leonard
CBS (Tim Ryan): 115–114 Hagler
Chicago Sun-Times: 115–114 Hagler
Chicago Tribune (1 – Bob Verdi): 115–113 Hagler
Chicago Tribune (2 – Bernie Lincicome): 115–113 Hagler
Sports Illustrated (William Nack): 116–114 Leonard
Sports Illustrated (Pat Putnam): 115–113 Hagler
United Press International: 116–112 Leonard
USA Today: 115–113 Leonard
Washington Post: 114–114
Boxing – 1987 – World Middleweight Title – PreFight & Post Fight Interviews – Sugar RAy Leonard Vs Marvin Hagler – With Tim Ryan + Gil Clancy
The fight was named “Fight of the Year” and “Upset of the Year” by The Ring. Despite requests from the Hagler camp, Leonard was uninterested in a rematch and retired on May 27, 1987. “I’ll try, I’ll give it a shot”, Leonard said of his latest retirement. “But you guys know me.” A month after Hagler’s formal retirement in June 1988, Leonard would announce another comeback.
Boxing – 1988 – BBC Special Interview With Hugh McIlhanney – Sugar Ray Leonard: The Most Retiring Boxer In History
On November 7, 1988, Leonard made another comeback, facing Donny Lalonde at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas….as they fought for Lalonde’s WBC Light Heavyweight Championship….and the newly created WBC Super Middleweight Championship…..which meant that Lalonde had to make 168 lbs…..as many were critical of the fact that Lalonde’s light heavyweight title was on the line….when the weight limit of the fight with Leonard was at 168 pounds…..as well as being critical of Leonard for stipulating that his opponent, a natural 175 pounder, should weigh less than his usual fighting weight….which could possibly weaken him. However, Lalonde later told HBO’s Larry Merchant that he didn’t have any trouble making weight. Lalonde, 31–2 with 26 knockouts, was guaranteed at least $6 million and Leonard was guaranteed over $10 million…..as this would be Leonard’s first professional fight without Angelo Dundee. For Leonard’s fight with Hagler, Dundee worked without a contract and received $175,000, which was less than 2% of Leonard’s purse. Dundee was unhappy with that amount. He requested a contract for the Lalonde fight and Leonard refused. “I don’t have contracts. My word is my bond”, Leonard said. Janks Morton and Dave Jacobs trained Leonard for the Lalonde fight. Lalonde’s size and awkwardness troubled Leonard…..when in the 4th round, a right hand to the top of Leonard’s head dropped him for just the second time in his career….then, early in the 9th, Lalonde hurt Leonard with a right to the chin…..but Leonard fired back and hurt Lalonde with a right…..then he drove him to the ropes and unleashed a furious assault…..as Lalonde tried to tie up Leonard…..but got dropped with a powerful left hook…..when he rose but was soon down again….and the fight was stopped. Judges Chuck Giampa and Franz Marti had Leonard ahead by scores of 77–74 and 77–75, respectively….but Judge Stuart Kirshenbaum had Lalonde ahead 76–75. After the fight, Leonard vacated the light heavyweight title….but kept the super middleweight title. Also, Leonard and Janks Morton split because of personal differences. Morton was replaced as co-trainer by Pepe Correa….who had worked with Leonard for most of the previous fifteen years.
Boxing – 1988 – WBC Super Middleweight Title & WBC Lt Heavyweight Title – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Donny Lalonde
On June 12, 1989, Leonard defended the WBC Super Middleweight Championship in a rematch with Thomas Hearns at Caesar’s Palace. It was promoted as “The War.” Hearns was guaranteed $11 million and Leonard was guaranteed $14 million. Hearns dropped Leonard with a right cross in the third round, but Leonard came back and battered Hearns around the ring in the fifth. Early in the seventh round, Hearns hurt Leonard but punched himself out going for the knockout. With Hearns fatigued, Leonard came back and had a strong finish to the round. Rounds nine and ten were good rounds for Leonard, but he ran into trouble in the eleventh round. Three booming rights from Hearns sent Leonard down for the second time in the fight. Knowing he needed a big finish, Leonard fought furiously and had a big final round. The judges scored the fight a draw and Leonard retained the title. Judge Jerry Roth scored the fight 113–112 for Hearns, Judge Tom Kazmarek scored it 113–112 for Leonard, and Judge Dalby Shirley scored it 112–112. Shirley was the only judge to give Leonard a 10–8 margin in the twelfth. If he had scored it 10–9, as his two colleagues did, Hearns would have won by a split decision. Eventually, Leonard admitted that Hearns deserved the decision.
Boxing – 1989 – WBC + WBO Super Middleweight Title – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Thomas Hearns – Fight II – With Jim Lampley + Larry Merchant On The Call
On December 7, 1989, Leonard defended the title against Roberto Durán….who was the reigning WBC Middleweight Champion…..as Durán was guaranteed $7.6 million and Leonard’s arrangement guaranteed him over $13 million. For the Durán fight, Leonard cut his entourage from twenty-one to six…..as Dave Jacobs was one of the people let go….while leaving Correa as the sole trainer. Correa was instructed not to spare the whip. “For the first time in a long time, I allowed someone to push me”, Leonard said. The fight took place at the new Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas…..when Leonard used constant lateral movement and won by a lopsided twelve-round unanimous decision over a listless Durán. The scores were 120–110, 119–109, and 116–111….which was in a fight that many considered to be very boring….as both fighters were booed often by the fans….. and many left the arena before the decision was announced. Pat Putnam of Sports Illustrated wrote, “Leonard gave them artistic perfection when they wanted heated battle, and they booed lustily. Most fight fans would not spend a dime to watch Van Gogh paint Sunflowers, but they would fill Yankee Stadium to see him cut off his ear.” Although Leonard dominated the fight, he suffered several cuts….as his lower lip was cut from a headbutt in the 4th round…..while his left eye was cut in the 11th round….and his right eye was cut in the 12th round…..for the cuts required a total of 60 stitches.
Boxing – 1989 – WBC Super Middleweight Title – Roberto Duran Vs Sugar Ray Leonard – Fight III – With Jim Lampley + Larry Merchant
In January 1990, Leonard relinquished the WBC Super Middleweight Championship…..while saying that he was unsure whether he would fight again. When Leonard decided to continue his career, he offered Hagler a rematch….but Hagler decided to stay retired…..so, he then offered Hearns a 3rd fight….but Hearns said he could no longer make the weight….and moved up to the light heavyweight division.
Boxing – 1977 To 1997 – Special – Highlights Of Sugar Ray Leonard’s Knockouts
On February 9, 1991, Leonard went down to 154 lbs and fought WBC Light Middleweight Champion Terry Norris at Madison Square Garden…..as Leonard entered the bout as a 3-1 favorite…..but Norris dominated the fight while giving Leonard a heavy beating…..when he knocked Leonard down with a left hook in the 2nd round….and then again in the 7th, he dropped Leonard again with a short right. Leonard had no answer for the skillful, younger, faster man…..as Ray went the distance but lost by a lopsided decision…. with the scores were 120–104, 119–103, and 116–110. After the verdict was announced, Leonard announced his retirement. “It took this fight to show me it is no longer my time”, Leonard said. “Tonight was my last fight. I know how Hagler felt now.”
Boxing – 1991 – WBC Light Middleweight Title Highlights – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Terry Norris
In October 1996, the 40-year-old Leonard announced that he was coming out of retirement to fight 34-year-old Héctor Camacho for the lightly regarded International Boxing Council (IBC) Middleweight Championship…..as Camacho, a light-hitting southpaw, was a three-time world champion with a record of 62–3–1…..however, Camacho was also considered to be past his prime….so, Leonard decided to fight Camacho after commentating on Camacho’s fight with the 45-year-old Roberto Durán the previous year by describing the disputed unanimous decision as “an early Christmas gift”. 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. “It was stupid for me to fight Norris at 154 lbs”, Leonard said. “This is different. I’m in the best shape possible.”
Boxing – 1977 To 1997 – Special – Sugar Ray Leonard Career Highlights
For the Camacho fight, Leonard had a new trainer, Adrian Davis. “He’s a great trainer, a throwback”, Leonard said. “He has really helped me get ready.”….then in January 1997, it was announced that Leonard had been voted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York. The rules state that a boxer must be retired for five years before being eligible for induction. 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. The induction ceremony was on June 15, 1997. The fight with Camacho took place on March 1, 1997, in Atlantic City, New Jersey….as Camacho applied pressure from the opening bell and started to score well in the 3rd…..the he continued to score well in the 4th and opened a cut above Leonard’s right eye. In the 5th, Camacho dropped Leonard with a right followed by two left uppercuts…..as Sugar Ray got up….but was unable to ward off Camacho. The referee stopped the fight with Camacho teeing off on a defenseless Leonard on the ropes. It was the only time in Leonard’s career that he was knocked out.
Boxing – 1997 – 10 Rnd Super Middleweight Bout – Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Hector Camacho
Afterward, Leonard retired again, saying, “For sure, my career is definitely over for me in the ring.” However, less than a week after the fight, Leonard said he planned to fight again. He blamed his loss on a torn right calf muscle. His doctor suggested that he cancel the fight, but Leonard wanted to go through with it. Before the fight, he was given a shot of novocaine. Leonard said he planned to have a series of tuneup fights before fighting a champion. He was scheduled to fight Tony Menefee on February 15, 1998, in Australia, but he pulled out of the fight, saying that he didn’t have the motivation. The Camacho fight was Leonard’s last. He finished his career with a record of 36–3–1 with 25 knockouts. As evidenced by the videos provided in this story herewith….Sugar Ray Leonard was worthy of our salute to his greatness as a boxer….and certainly worthy of being one of our ImaSportsphile “boxing legend” designations….for he was something very special in the ring….and we are “tickled pink” to have this incredible collection of Sugar Ray Leonard content in our museum library.
Boxing – 1977 To 1997 – Special Video Highlight – In A Musical Tribute To Sugar Ray Leonard
