SugarRayLeonard.com

Weight Loss Training - Day 1

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

Hey everyone,

Recently I went home to visit my parents and being there really inspired me to get back in shape. Everyone thinks I’m crazy to want to lose weight (I currently weigh 182 pounds) but with this new journey I’m pursuing, I’d like to try and get down to 158 pounds, my weight when I fought Marvin Hagler back in the day.

I’ll be keeping you up to date with videos and pictures so be sure to check back!

Are any of you on a similar journey for self-improvement? Share below.

Ray

Champ to Champ: Big George Foreman

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

I was lucky enough to be able to sit down with a guy who is in both the World and International Boxing Hall of Fame, a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and entrepreneur – George Foreman. This guy’s had more comebacks than he has children named George.

Who else would you like to see me chat with on Champ to Champ?

Ray

Meeting President Reagan

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

Hey everyone,

In celebration of President's Day, I'm sharing a picture from back in the day when I had the chance to meet President Reagan and his wife, Nancy Reagan. It was a moment among many that I'll never forget. And I only had to beat Tommy "Hitman" Hearns to be able to meet him!

Ray

13th Annual Boxing Charity Night

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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Earlier this month, I supported the 13th Annual Fight Night for Kids in Charlotte to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

It was such a memorable night and a huge success. More than 800 people were in attendance the charitable event raised over $40,000 to benefit sick children.

I love seeing people come together for a night to support a worthy cause and this was definitely one of those nights. I even fought in an exhibition bout at the end of the fundraiser against Dr. Matt Johnson. I haven’t boxed in nearly 15 years and only did it for the kids! Ouch!!!!

Ray

Remembering Angelo

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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I wanted to share some more thoughts about my great friend and master trainer Angelo Dundee, who sadly passed earlier this month.

Angelo was such an asset to my biggest and most challenging fights. We were great and loving friends through the ugly periods! Nothing but love baby! Angelo gave the perfect sound bite for two of my most significant fights: Hearns ‘81 "You blowing it son," and Hagler "Only minutes to go and you are champion of the world."

He will be remembered with love.

Do you remember Angelo during those two fights?

Ray

Meeting Criss Angel

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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I met an amazing guy in Criss Angel when I was in Las Vegas a while ago. How did he do those tricks, magic and mind blowing things when I was so close?

Have you seen a Criss Angel show?

Ray

Meet My Mom

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

Happy Valentine’s Day! Yesterday, I told you about my dad, and as promised, today I’m introducing you to my mom.

Pops is strong, but Mom will get you back, do you know what I mean? Scary!!!! My mom is so strong and tough inside, and believe it or not, I get my tenacity from this woman.

Is there someone in your life who gives you strength?

Ray

Meet My Dad

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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It’s almost Valentine’s Day, so I’m sharing some family love this week.

This is the man that is truly my role model, hero and best friend. Although we are both a little shy, we feel each other’s love by looking into each other’s eyes. The eyes never lie! Pops turns 90 years old June 9, and his name is Cicero. I'm so blessed to have both my parents living. I will show you mom tomorrow. She is a feisty 83…

How have your parents impacted your life?

Ray

Remembering the Super Fight With Hagler

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

I never felt so confident in overcoming the odds than I did against Marvin Hagler, because this was personal. I told the world that I would win because they didn't think I could. I convinced Hagler throughout the press tour that he was a better boxer than given credit for. By the end of the tour, he stated that he’d surprise the world by outboxing me. I said to myself, I got him, he believes it. That is why I won the early rounds.

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This fight, “The Super Fight,” which was five years in the making, had been named appropriately. I had dethroned the mighty Marvin Hagler.

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Do you remember this fight?

Ray

Win a Pair of My Boxing Gloves

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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Hey everyone,

This past Sunday, instead of watching the game, I decided to play some golf at the Hillcrest course. It was perfect weather and we had a great time.

For today's giveaway I'll be giving one male and one female an autographed boxing glove for whoever comes closest to guessing my actual score in my golf game on Sunday.

You have until 12 PM (PST) Wednesday, February 15, so submit your answers in the comment section below and check back!

***This contest is now closed.***

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS, Eric Gonzalez and Meli2529!

Thank you to everyone who participated and stay tuned for more givaways!

Good luck!

Ray

Winners will be announced on Thursday, February 16.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Sitting Down With Tommy Hearns

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:57:00 -0800

I had the chance to sit down and catch up with my dear friend and world champ, Tommy Hearns where we took a walk down memory lane. Looking back and revisiting past experiences, whether it be your career, or the decisions you made in life, provides great insight for who you’ve become and who you are today. I hope you enjoy the video. Check it out:

What are some experiences from your life that made you who you are today?

Ray

I Only Got Punk'd Once

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:26:00 -0800

It's true, a few years ago I was punk'd by my son Jarrel, on Ashton Kutcher's show "Punk'd."

Get More: Punk'd, Full Episodes

Have you ever been punk'd by a friend or family member?

Ray

Ask Sugar: Answering Your Questions

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:09:53 -0800

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Hi everyone,

I’m very excited to have a place to connect with you and answer all of your questions! There have been many questions already submitted in the Forum and I’m going to be taking the time to answer as many as I can. Here are the first few I’m addressing:

S Woomer asks: “Is there a significance to the tassels you used to wear on your boxing shoes?”

Sugar: Yes, that originated from Muhammed Ali. He used to wear tassels and I tried to emulate him at a very young age.

Ciran Behan asks: “If you had one more chance for a fight, would it be a boxing match or would you go the new MMA Route?”

Joe M. asks: “Hello Ray! I am a huge fan of yours, and have been since I was twelve, when I started boxing. Watching your old fights, your Beyond the Glory documentary, and reading about your story has given me so much inspiration in my career and life! Anyway, with the rise of MMA, the UFC growing in popularity and fewer kids wanting to sign up for amateur boxing, do you see MMA eventually overshadowing boxing and taking over the art of pugilism? Can boxing survive with MMA taking off and what is your opinion on the sport?”

Sugar (for Ciran and Behan): MMA is in a universe of its own, being highly promoted by Dana White. Although boxing and MMA can co-exist, boxing has to fix itself by creating more quality championship fights and boxing personalities.

Paul asks: “Hi Ray. I just wanted to ask how you handled fear in your career? You must have had moments where you had self-doubt or fear of an opponent. How did you overcome those times? Thanks, Champ.”

Sugar: I overcame those times by understanding fear itself can be paralyzing. But fear can be good because it makes you aware of danger and once you balance fear, you are ahead of the game.

Phil Kosmas asks: ”Hi Ray, I became a fan following your illustrious career when you and Benitez went at it in that high output thriller on the same card as the Hagler/Antuofermo bloodbath in Nov '79. I didn't see the earlier fight that year vs. Marcos Geraldo where you mention he "hit harder" than Hagler and Hearns combined. However, based upon that - throughout the years and beyond your '97 retirement, I read a variety of boxing articles and columns that quoted you as saying, "The hardest-hitting opponent I ever faced was Floyd Mayweather." I'm curious to know, does this hold true, or was Floyd Sr. considered to be in the same class of "hard punchers" you describe? Also, do you feel Geraldo's power had anything to do with the fact that he was fighting mostly at middleweight and you were a young welter at the time?”

Sugar: The Floyd Mayweather statement of being one of the hardest punchers, I don't know where that came from because he was not a big puncher by any means. But like his son, he had the fastest hands of most fighters. Geraldo was considered a middleweight with a glass jaw, which was not true. One thing I always felt though, was that the start of my eye injury was a result of his power.

Please submit more of your questions in the comments below and I will be answering more soon!

Ray

My Time With Boys Republic

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0800

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I spent time with Boys Republic in Chino Hills, CA recently. Since 1907, Boys Republic has been guiding at-risk teenagers. Having the opportunity to talk to these young men about my life story, and having them understand that I’m no different than they are and have still been able to achieve my dreams, was very special to me!

If you are interested in making a gift donation to them, you can contact them at giving@boysrepublic.org.

How have you been getting involved with your community?

Ray

PHOTO SOURCE: Champion Newspapers

Saying Goodbye to Angelo Dundee

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0800

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Yesterday, Angelo Dundee passed away. As a trainer, Dundee was a master motivator and fierce competitor, which defined him as one of the best. Before Dundee began working with me, he trained and managed Muhammad Ali, helping him claim this slew of heavyweight titles. His ability to always put a positive spin on things combined with his knowledge of what it takes to win was something that always set him apart from the rest of the trainers.

Throughout my career, he was loyal and guided me toward greatness. Dundee was more than a trainer, he was more than a friend, he was family!

God bless.

Ray

PHOTO FLASHBACK: Meeting Nelson Mandela

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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I first met the great Nelson Mandela back in the early nineties in Monte Carlo. I was so honored and couldn’t have been more excited. To this day, I know of no greater man. How he spent all those years in prison and then emerged with no desire for revenge. To my shock and awe, he told me how much he admired me. I remember telling him that it is he who is the one to be admired.

In his youth, Nelson was an amateur heavyweight boxer. I feel so privileged to have met him and to share the love of the ring with him.

Who do you admire?

Ray

Did you notice who is on the other side of Nelson in the picture? Check out my exclusive sit down interview with that boxing great here.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Sitting Down With Evander Holyfield

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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I’m very excited to share a video where I sat down and chatted with Evander Holyfield, one of the greatest and most successful Heavyweight Champions. Evander is 49 years old now, and he started boxing at eleven years old. Initially, he wanted to quit, since he wasn’t winning, and things weren’t going his way, but his mother made him stick with it. She told him if he quit, then he would be quitting the rest of his life.

We relate so well because we come from the same background, and it gave us hope. Besides being boxing Olympians, he in the 1984 Summer Olympics winning bronze, and I in the 1976 Summer Olympics winning gold, I wouldn’t have been such a boxer without the influence of my mother, who I get my boxing spirit from. When we sat down together, we talked about this as well as what’s wrong with boxing today. We also talked about how we made our own comebacks, which he did in 2011.

Here is my exclusive interview with Evander Holyfield:

What do you think is wrong with boxing today?

Ray

Winners of Real Steel Giveaway

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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I received many great responses to my Real Steel DVD giveaway question: If robots replaced humans in the ring, how would that change boxing for better or for worse? After looking through all the submitted answers, I selected the top five I found the most interesting.

In my opinion, my heart and mind tells me no, no, no but who knows. This world has changed, society has changed, and generations have changed. People want more and more excitement, and the fact that this could be plausible is because of reality TV.

And here are the five winners and their responses, each to receive a DVD of the movie:

Frank Shelton: "We need grace not greed. Boxing is part art, part love but ALL heart. Robots can have strength, speed, stamina and even score some serious knock outs but they will NEVER have heart. Robots may impress some but will inspire none. I rather root for a guy that got beat but gave his all than a robot that wins and didnt know the difference. The great sport of boxing resembles life. It teaches us perseverance, patience, pride, professionalism, personal responsibility and so many other life lessons. The problem with robots it teaches us nor them anything. They are void of faith and feelings. Today, we need more men to stand up and swing for what is right so in days ahead robots dont rule the world."

Cujo: "If robots replaced humans in the ring, I believe it would make the sport worse. As you know, there is plenty of hard work and strategy that would go into both. I just don't believe you can replace a human's emotions, hard work, and drive unless they are involved in the fight/training themselves…You cannot replace the feeling of being hit or the reaction from the crowd that you get. A fan of boxing feels the pain and emotion from a big hit because we put ourselves in the fighter's position. That would not happen with the robots. We are quicker to react as humans as well. Boxing is built on feeling your partner out."

Eric Gonzalez: "I've been fighting for several years now, and there could be nothing worse than a change like replacing humans for robots. I'll be honest, I didn't see the movie, but I understand the general premise. I myself and a lot of the guys I work with put in a lot of effort every day. There's a lot of discipline, conditioning, and cognitive development that is required for this sport. To take away the physiological element from, in my opinion the most animalistic of all sports would be akin to changing foot races into NASCAR….Athleticism and being a boxer, is earned of hard work, something no amount of hours working a joystick will ever achieve."

Karen C.: "If Robots replaced human boxers, the humans that were running the robots would still be arguing about whose robot would get the larger amount of the money. The best thing about it would be no permanent human injuries from fighting anymore. And I did have my "Roc'em Sock'em Robots" boxing game when I was growing up, it was one of my favorite toys, this movie makes me think of that toy."

Al: "I would first of like to thank Ray for this website,I think if robots replaced humans it would be good entertainment,the bouts would be longer as the robots dont get worn out,and you could make and program them to look like great fighters from the past.On the other side of things some people have dedicated ther lives to the sport,the managers trainers and the fighters themselves,other people have come from a life of crime to go into boxing, all this would be sadly lost if robots were to take over."

Thank you to all those who submitted! If you were not selected this time, don’t worry. I’ll be giving away some of my personal boxing memorabilia soon, so stay tuned!

Ray

More 2011 WBC Convention Photos: Duran, Hearns and Others

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0800

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I previously shared a great picture I took at the 2011 WBC Convention of me with Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler. These are truly rare shots! The only thing the top photo is missing is Hagler, and then it would be of the top four! The second one is of course of me with Tommy Hearns and Larry Holmes, who was one of the most unappreciated Heavyweight Champions of the World, being in the shadow of the greatest, Muhammad Ali.

To see all my personal photos from the 2011 WBC Convention, including photos of Kevin Kelly and Tae Kwondo Champion Mia St. John (beautiful and deadly), check out my 2011 WBC Convention Album.

Who else would you like to see pictures of?

Ray

Stay Tuned: I’m going to be sharing a video of me with Larry Holmes soon!

"Real Steel" Screening With Boys & Girls Club of East LA

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:02:00 -0800

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Earlier this week, I had a wonderful experience with the Boys & Girls Club of East LA. The kids had a very special screening of Real Steel, and I was there to introduce the film, meet them all and show them a few of my moves including jump roping! They really enjoyed the film, and I’m so very glad I was able to be a part of it.

I am able to share all the photos of the event with you taken by Mark Davis at WireImage. To see all the photos, you can check them out in my Boys & Girls Club Real Steel Screening album.

If you are not familiar with the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club, they are an incredible organization with many great programs. It is so important to be mentors for children.

Who are some of your mentors?

Ray

Speaking of Real Steel: Remember to get your answers in for your chance to be one of the winners of a Real Steel DVD!

My 1993 Revlon Commercial with Cindy Crawford

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:07:00 -0800

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When you think Sugar Ray Leonard, I know you probably don’t think of Revlon. However in 1993, I got on board with Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Helena Christensen and Veronica Webb for a boxing themed Revlon commercial.

I remember having a lot of fun on the set and all of the ladies were nice to work with. They all did really well with their boxing segments, which I helped with by giving them some pointers.

You can watch the commercial below:

Do you remember this commercial?

Ray

Check out my other Flashbacks:
My 7UP Spot With Roberto Duran and Our Sons
Surprising Muhummad Ali on the Arsenio Hall Show

VIDEO: Remembering My 1981 Fight With Tommy Hearns

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:33:00 -0800

This is my most defining moment in the ring against one of the best in the ring. A fight I had to call upon every ounce of my heart, soul, and spirit to win. He brought the best out of me and I brought the best out of him. It took me awhile to figure out how to get inside his long reach and when I figured it out, I was effective.

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Like Muhammad Ali stated in his fight in Manila, "This fight with Tommy was the closest thing to death."

Do you remember this fight?

Ray

Check out my other archive fight footage:
My "No Mas" Fight With Roberto Duran

Did You Catch Me on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:46:16 -0800

My episode from Season 6 of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”, featuring a former aspiring boxer and his family, ran last Sunday.

The father, Tim Hill, wanted to be a boxer, but after a construction accident, he instead turned his attention to counseling high school students. Now, he and his wife Michelle run the Geneva Boxing Team, where, for over ten years, Tim has trained kids from broken homes, from the ages of eight to twenty-one, to box for free.

In this clip from the show, I share some words of wisdom and express my admiration for the Hill family’s generosity. Check it out:

I hope you found this clip inspiring. Who is an important coach or mentor in your life?

Ray

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: On Set Of "Real Steel" With Hugh Jackman

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:03:00 -0800

I’m going through more of my behind-the-scenes photos from "Real Steel" this week. I found some exclusive ones I wanted to share. For all the photos, go to my Exclusive Real Steel Photos album. All the photos are courtesy of The Walt Disney Studios and DreamWorks!

I’ve worked with many actors on various projects in my life, and Hugh was one of the best. He’s a good student and a very dedicated, fast learner. He really wanted to know how to properly throw the hook with the right hand. After working with him and making some adjustments, he brought his athleticism and caught on quite well!

Would you be interested in seeing me work with Hugh again?

Ray

Make sure you submit your answer for a chance to win a DVD copy of "Real Steel"!

"Real Steel" DVD Giveaway: If Robots Replaced Us Boxing

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:18:00 -0800

For the DVD Release of "Real Steel" today, I am giving away FIVE DVD copies of the film to those with the best answers to the question: If robots replaced humans in the ring, how would that change boxing for better or for worse? If you haven’t seen the movie yet, boxing has gone high-tech, with robots in the ring instead of people.

Here’s a sneak peek DVD bonus feature of me and Hugh Jackman, courtesy of Disney:

You have until 12:00 PM (PST) Monday, January 30 to submit your answers in the comment section below.

I'll announce five winners on Tuesday, January 31, so be sure to check back. In the meantime, I'll be posting some exclusive pictures of me behind-the-scenes with Hugh Jackman tomorrow.

Ray