Sugar Ray Leonard proved himself to be one of the greatest fighters of all time during his glittering professional career.
North Carolina-native Leonard made his way into the paid ranks just a short while after he captured a Light-Welterweight Gold Medal at the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal, Canada.
He would establish himself as a serious contender in no time at all before going on to win his first world title in 1979 when he stopped Wilfred Benitez in the 15th and final round of their Las Vegas showdown to win the WBC world welterweight title.
Leonard would go on to become a world champion in a further four weight classes during his tenure, proving to be one of the greatest fighters of his entire generation alongside former rivals Roberto Duran, ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns.
Remembered for his iconic clashes with Duran and Hearns, Leonard made no mistake in revealing in a feature with The Ring Magazine that ‘The Hitman’ was the greatest fighter that he ever shared the ring with, ranking him ahead of Panamanian icon Duran.
“It was Tommy [Hearns]. I don’t think anything matches our first fight.”
Their first encounter took place in September of 1981 as Leonard defeated Hearns via 14th round stoppage to capture the undisputed welterweight championship from the grasp of his fellow countryman.
They met for the second time four years later and after yet another fiery showdown between the legendary duo, the fight was declared a split decision draw as ‘Sugar Ray’ retained his WBC super-middleweight title at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
