Ray Charles Leonard (born May 17, 1956) is best known as “Sugar“Ray Leonard….is an American former professional boxer, boxing commentator, motivational speaker, and occasional actor….who is often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time….as he competed from 1977 to 1997….while winning world titles in five weight divisions including the lineal championship in three weight divisions as well as the undisputed welterweight title. Leonard was part of “The Fabulous Four”….which was a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980’s….as it consisted of himself, 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 time 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….and as seen in this video herewith, was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year in 1981. In 2002, Leonard was voted by The Ring as the ninth greatest fighter of the last 80 years….and BoxRec ranks him as the 21st greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound.