History of Sugar Ray Leonard in Timeline
Sugar Ray Leonard, an American former professional boxer (1977-1997), is considered one of boxing's all-time greats. He secured world titles in five weight classes, lineal championships in three, and the undisputed welterweight title. A key figure in the 'Four Kings' rivalry of the 1980s, alongside Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler, Leonard uniquely defeated all three. His accomplishments also include a light welterweight gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
1 hour ago : Sugar Ray Leonard's son, Daniel, arrested for violating restraining order at home.
Sugar Ray Leonard's son, Daniel Leonard, was arrested after allegedly violating a restraining order. Police responded to a family incident at Sugar Ray Leonard's home where they arrested Daniel.
May 17, 1956: Sugar Ray Leonard's Birth
On May 17, 1956, Ray Charles Leonard, later known as Sugar Ray Leonard, was born. He would become a renowned American professional boxer.
1969: Started Boxing
In 1969, Ray Leonard began his boxing journey at the Palmer Park Recreation Center, influenced by his older brother Roger.
1972: First Boxing Defeat
In 1972, Leonard experienced his first defeat in the featherweight quarterfinals of the National AAU Tournament, losing by decision to Jerome Artis.
1973: National Golden Gloves Lightweight Championship
In 1973, Leonard won the National Golden Gloves Lightweight Championship, marking a significant achievement in his early career.
1973: Pregnancy Announcement
In the summer of 1973, Juanita Wilkinson, Leonard's high school girlfriend, told him she was pregnant. They decided to have the baby and named him Ray Charles Leonard Jr.
1974: National Golden Gloves and US National Championships
In 1974, Leonard won the National Golden Gloves and US National Championships at light welterweight, adding to his amateur achievements. He also suffered two losses as an amateur this year, one to Anatoli Kamnev in Moscow and one to Jan Kwacz in Poland.
1975: US National Championships and Pan American Games
In 1975, Leonard won the US National Championships at light welterweight and the Light Welterweight Championship at the Pan American Games, showcasing his talent on national and international stages.
1976: U.S. Olympic Team
In 1976, Leonard became a member of the U.S. Olympic Team as the light welterweight representative, joining a team considered one of the greatest in Olympic boxing history. He would ultimately win the gold medal.
1976: Summer Olympics Gold Medal
In 1976, Leonard won a gold medal in the light welterweight division at the Summer Olympics.
1976: Fighter of the Year Award
In 1976, the Boxing Writers Association of America named Sugar Ray Leonard as 'Fighter of the Year'.
February 5, 1977: Professional Debut
On February 5, 1977, Sugar Ray Leonard made his professional boxing debut, defeating Luis "The Bull" Vega by a six-round unanimous decision in Baltimore and earning $40,044 for the fight.
September 11, 1978: Fight Against Floyd Mayweather
On September 11, 1978, Leonard fought and won against his first world-ranked opponent, Floyd Mayweather, by a tenth-round knockout.
August 12, 1979: NABF Welterweight Championship
On August 12, 1979, Sugar Ray Leonard won the NABF Welterweight Championship by knocking out Pete Ranzany in four rounds.
November 30, 1979: WBC Welterweight Championship
On November 30, 1979, Sugar Ray Leonard fought Wilfred Benítez for the WBC Welterweight Championship at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leonard received $1 million.
1979: Fighter of the Year
In 1979, The Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring named Sugar Ray Leonard "Fighter of the Year".
January 1980: Marriage to Juanita Wilkinson
In January 1980, Sugar Ray Leonard married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Wilkinson.
March 31, 1980: Title Defence
On March 31, 1980, Sugar Ray Leonard defended his title against Dave "Boy" Green in Landover, Maryland. He knocked Green out in the fourth round with a devastating left hook.
June 20, 1980: Fight Against Roberto Durán
On June 20, 1980, Sugar Ray Leonard defended his title against Roberto Durán at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal before a crowd of 46,317.
November 25, 1980: Rematch Against Roberto Durán
On November 25, 1980, the rematch between Leonard and Durán took place at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans in front of 25,038 fans.
1980: Dave Jacobs Rejoins Leonard's Team
In 1980, Dave Jacobs rejoined Sugar Ray Leonard's team in a limited role after quitting due to disagreements about a rematch with Durán.
1980: Boxing against Andrés Aldama
In 1980, Leonard boxed against Andrés Aldama in the final, landing left hooks and ultimately winning.
1980: Hearns Wins WBA Welterweight Championship
In 1980, Thomas Hearns won the WBA Welterweight Championship, scoring a second-round knockout of José "Pipino" Cuevas in Detroit, Michigan.
March 28, 1981: Title Defense Against Larry Bonds
On March 28, 1981, Leonard defended his title against Larry Bonds at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York.
September 16, 1981: Fight Against Thomas Hearns
On September 16, 1981, Sugar Ray Leonard fought Thomas Hearns at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to unify the World Welterweight Championship. The fight was promoted as 'The Showdown'.
1981: Fighter of the Year Award
In 1981, The Ring magazine and Boxing Writers Association of America named Sugar Ray Leonard as 'Fighter of the Year'. He was also honored as the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.
February 15, 1982: Title Defense Against Bruce Finch
On February 15, 1982, Leonard defended the unified title against Bruce Finch in Reno, NV, knocking him out in the third round.
May 9, 1982: Retina Surgery
On May 9, 1982, Leonard underwent surgery to repair a detached retina, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled fight.
May 14, 1982: Fight Against Roger Stafford Canceled
On May 14, 1982, Leonard's fight against Roger Stafford in Buffalo, New York was scheduled, but it was canceled due to a detached retina diagnosis.
1982: Retirement and Start of Medication Use
In 1982, after surgery to repair a detached retina, Sugar Ray Leonard retired and began using medication, eventually turning to cocaine as a substitute for the arena.
December 1983: Comeback Announcement
In December 1983, Sugar Ray Leonard announced his return to boxing, sparking criticism due to concerns about his surgically repaired eye.
February 25, 1984: Fight Postponed Due to Eye Surgery
On February 25, 1984, a bout with Kevin Howard was postponed when Leonard had minor surgery on his right eye, fueling opposition to his comeback.
May 11, 1984: Fight Against Kevin Howard
On May 11, 1984, Leonard fought Kevin Howard in Worcester, Massachusetts, getting knocked down for the first time in his professional career but ultimately winning. He then announced his retirement again.
1984: Birth of Second Son
In 1984, Sugar Ray Leonard and Juanita Wilkinson had their second son.
March 10, 1986: Marvin Hagler vs. John Mugabi
On March 10, 1986, Marvin Hagler defeated John Mugabi by knockout in the eleventh round to retain his Undisputed World Middleweight Championship. This fight motivated Sugar Ray Leonard to consider a comeback to fight Hagler.
May 1, 1986: Leonard Announces Comeback Fight Against Hagler
On May 1, 1986, Sugar Ray Leonard announced on a Washington, D.C. talk show his return to the ring to fight Marvin Hagler, generating excitement and controversy due to his inactivity and eye injuries.
1986: Quitting Drug Use
In early 1986, Sugar Ray Leonard quit using drugs after a concerning self-reflection, acknowledging the pain and scars he had caused.
April 6, 1987: "The Super Fight" Scheduled
On April 6, 1987, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler fought at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Leonard was guaranteed $11 million, and Hagler was guaranteed $12 million.
May 27, 1987: Leonard Retires (First Time)
On May 27, 1987, Sugar Ray Leonard announced his retirement, stating he would give it a shot, hinting at the possibility of a future comeback.
June 1988: Leonard Announces Another Comeback
In June 1988, a month after Marvin Hagler's retirement, Sugar Ray Leonard announced another comeback to boxing.
November 7, 1988: Leonard vs. Donny Lalonde
On November 7, 1988, Sugar Ray Leonard fought Donny Lalonde at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for Lalonde's WBC Light Heavyweight Championship and the newly created WBC Super Middleweight Championship. Leonard won this fight.
June 12, 1989: Leonard vs. Hearns Rematch
On June 12, 1989, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns had a rematch for the WBC Super Middleweight Championship at Caesars Palace, promoted as "The War."
December 7, 1989: Leonard vs. Roberto Durán
On December 7, 1989, Sugar Ray Leonard defended his title against Roberto Durán, who was the reigning WBC Middleweight Champion.
1989: Introduction to Bernadette Robi
In 1989, Sugar Ray Leonard was introduced to Bernadette Robi by Kenny G at a Luther Vandross concert.
August 1990: Leonard Relinquishes WBC Title
In August 1990, Sugar Ray Leonard relinquished the WBC super-middleweight title, citing being under the weight for the division. He offered Hearns a third fight, but Hearns declined.
1990: Divorce from Juanita Wilkinson
In 1990, Sugar Ray Leonard and Juanita Wilkinson divorced. During the proceedings, Juanita testified to physical abuse and occasional cocaine use by Leonard.
1990: End of Leonard's Relationship with HBO
In 1990, Sugar Ray Leonard's relationship with HBO ended after over a decade because HBO was not offered an opportunity to bid on the telecast rights to Leonard's fight with Terry Norris.
February 9, 1991: Leonard vs. Terry Norris
On February 9, 1991, Sugar Ray Leonard fought Terry Norris for the WBC Light Middleweight Championship at Madison Square Garden and lost by a lopsided decision, after which Leonard announced his retirement.
August 1993: Marriage to Bernadette Robi
In August 1993, Sugar Ray Leonard married Bernadette Robi at his estate in Pacific Palisades, California.
1995: Appearance on Renegade
In 1995, Sugar Ray Leonard appeared in the television show 'Renegade'.
October 1996: Leonard Announces Another Comeback vs. Camacho
In October 1996, Sugar Ray Leonard, at 40 years old, announced he was coming out of retirement to fight Héctor Camacho for the International Boxing Council (IBC) Middleweight Championship.
January 1997: Leonard Voted into Boxing Hall of Fame
In January 1997, Sugar Ray Leonard was voted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York.
March 1, 1997: Leonard vs. Camacho Fight
On March 1, 1997, Sugar Ray Leonard fought Héctor Camacho in Atlantic City, New Jersey and was knocked out, marking the only time in his career he was knocked out.
June 15, 1997: Leonard's Hall of Fame Induction
Sugar Ray Leonard was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 15, 1997.
1997: End of Professional Boxing Career
In 1997, Sugar Ray Leonard's professional boxing career came to an end.
February 15, 1998: Leonard Pulls Out of Fight Against Menefee
On February 15, 1998, Sugar Ray Leonard pulled out of a scheduled fight with Tony Menefee in Australia, citing a lack of motivation. The Camacho fight was Leonard's last.
2002: Appearance in I Spy
In 2002, Sugar Ray Leonard appeared in the film 'I Spy'.
2002: Ninth Greatest Fighter
In 2002, Sugar Ray Leonard was voted by The Ring as the ninth greatest fighter of the last 80 years, cementing his legacy in boxing history.
2003: HBO's Legendary Nights episode
In 2003, Roger Perron, one of Hagler's cornermen, stated in an interview on HBO's Legendary Nights that the ninth round of the Hagler-Leonard fight was Hagler's best round.
2004: Dissolution of Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Inc.
In 2004, Sugar Ray Leonard's boxing promotional company, Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Inc., was dissolved due to a falling out with a partner.
July 2006: Abstinence from Alcohol
Since July 2006, Sugar Ray Leonard has been free of alcohol.
2007: Awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence
In 2007, Sugar Ray Leonard received The Ambassador Award of Excellence from the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission at the Riviera Country Club, recognizing his ongoing community involvement.
2009: Testimony Before Senate Committee
In 2009, Sugar Ray Leonard testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs about the burden of diabetes and the need for continued research funding.
2009: Expansion of Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation
In 2009, the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation expanded to support programs that help people rebuild their communities in ten cities across the United States.
2010: Appearance in The Fighter
In 2010, Sugar Ray Leonard appeared in the film 'The Fighter'.
March 21, 2011: Dancing with the Stars Premiere
On March 21, 2011, Sugar Ray Leonard competed on season 12 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Anna Trebunskaya.
June 2011: Autobiography reveals sexual abuse
In June 2011, Leonard's autobiography, The Big Fight: My Life in and out of the Ring, was published, revealing he was a victim of sexual abuse as a young boxer. Since then, he has made public appearances to raise awareness about child sex abuse.
2011: NPR Interview
In 2011, Sugar Ray Leonard revealed in an NPR interview that he had been free of alcohol since July 2006.
2011: Adviser for Real Steel
In 2011, Sugar Ray Leonard worked as an adviser in the robot boxing film 'Real Steel'.
2016: Greatest Living Fighter
In 2016, Sugar Ray Leonard was voted by The Ring to be the greatest living fighter, recognizing his lasting impact on the sport.
March 2019: Guest Appearance on Good Mythical Morning
In March 2019, Sugar Ray Leonard made a guest appearance on the YouTube show Good Mythical Morning during their "March Milkness" series, breaking a tie between Froot Loops and Oreo O's, and choosing Froot Loops.
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