Sugar Ray Leonard Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Famously known as the black boxer, Sugar Ray Leonard defines discipline and effort at its best. Holding over three weight world titles under his name tells it all. From afar, he looks like a singer. Probably that’s why he was named after Ray Charles by his parents. His flawless face and charming prince smile inspired him to wrestle till when he opted to call it to quit.

Personality

Ray Leonard craves for nothing else than perfection; be it family or his career, he despises regrets. He prefers to disconnect from the outside world for him to achieve what he wants.

He’s a nature lover and certain on what he wants in life. Nothing for him came by chance but through sacrifice and submission. His positive approach always defends him against wild attacks and pessimism. He is a kind hearted person to all. However, he never settles for less until he achieves what he wants.

Early and Childhood Life

Baptized as Ray Charles Leonard, he was first seen on 17th May 1956 in Wilmington, NC. His parents were Getha and Cicero Leonard. At the age of three, Ray and his family went to stay in Washington D.C, Palmer Park area. His biological father served as a manager at a nearby supermarket while his mother was a nurse.

Career

Ray Leonard had an elder brother called Roger Leonard. Roger loved boxing to the bone, and it was here where Sugar Ray opted to follow his brother’s footsteps. Roger didn’t hesitate to train his brother the dos and don’ts of being a professional boxer.

Still, at his teenage years, Ray was lucky to have met with well-accustomed boxers; Janks and Dave Jacobs. The duo did their best to train the lad till when he won the National Tournament in 1972. The following year Sugar Ray became a competitor at the Eastern Olympic Trials. For the first time, he won the National Golden Gloves Lightweight Championship.

From 1974 to 1976, Ray earned several titles including the National Golden Gloves, Lightweight Welterweight Championship and Light Welterweight Championship. Still, in 1970’s he saw himself representing the USA Olympic where he garnered the Gold Medal.

Later Career

Before his retirement in 1984, Sugar Ray held notable awards such as World Boxing Council. It was the same year where he joined the University of Maryland to further his studies. After two to three years Ray came back to boxing with positivity.

From 1986 to 1988 he competed with the most profound boxing legends including Hagler and Don Lalonde. Sad to say, he lost it all to the ring holders. It was on 27th May 1987 that he settled in quitting.

Sugar Ray pulled out of Middleweight Championship declaring his retirement as official and won’t be coming back.

Awards And Achievements

Although he seems to have thrown a few punches and kicks, Ray held notable awards. Some of the major include Olympic Gold Medal, WBC Welterweight Championship, and Fighter of Year uproar in 1979. He was formerly instated in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in NY.

Personal Life And Legacy

Sugar Ray married his Darling, Juanita Wilkinson in 1980. The duo was blessed with two children. Sadly they parted ways in 1990. Three years down the line he got married to Bernadette Robi. The couple has two children.