Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard won the gold medal in boxing in the light welterweight division at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Leonard was only 20 years old, and his victory helped propel him into the professional boxing world, where he would go on to become one of the most celebrated fighters of his generation. His Olympic success established him as a promising athlete to watch.

On November 30, 1979, Sugar Ray Leonard fought Wilfred Benítez for the WBC Welterweight title. The fight took place at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Leonard won the championship after defeating Benítez through a technical knockout (TKO) in the 15th round. This victory marked Leonard's first world title in professional boxing and solidified his status as a top contender.

Sugar Ray Leonard faced Roberto Durán for the second time in what became one of the most famous fights in boxing history. The match took place on November 25, 1980, in the Louisiana Superdome. Leonard regained his welterweight title by defeating Durán, who quit in the eighth round, famously saying 'No Más' (No More). This fight is legendary for Leonard's strategic brilliance and psychological victory.

In a monumental bout on September 16, 1981, Sugar Ray Leonard faced Thomas Hearns for the WBA and WBC Welterweight titles at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Leonard won via a TKO in the 14th round, unifying the welterweight title. Described as a classic, this fight showcased Leonard's ability to adapt and overcome adversity, further cementing his legacy in the sport.

Sugar Ray Leonard announced his retirement from boxing on May 11, 1984, following medical advice regarding a detached retina. Leonard's announcement came as a shock to the boxing world, as he was at the peak of his career. The decision to retire was made to preserve his vision and overall health, highlighting the risks associated with the sport of boxing.

On May 11, 1984, Sugar Ray Leonard returned to the boxing ring after a brief retirement and faced Kevin Howard. The fight took place at the Civic Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. Despite winning the match by a ninth-round TKO, Leonard was knocked down for the first time in his career, which contributed to his decision to retire again shortly after.

In a much-anticipated match on April 6, 1987, Sugar Ray Leonard came out of retirement to fight Marvin Hagler for the first time. The fight took place at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Leonard won by split decision, in what would become one of the most celebrated comebacks in boxing history. Many debates continue about the scoring, but Leonard's performance is often regarded as masterful.

On November 7, 1988, Sugar Ray Leonard fought Donny Lalonde for both the WBC Super Middleweight and the WBC Light Heavyweight titles. The match took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Leonard won by TKO in the ninth round, capturing both titles and showcasing his versatility and skill across different weight classes.

On December 7, 1989, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Durán faced each other for the third time in their legendary rivalry. The fight, known as 'Uno Más', took place at the Mirage in Las Vegas. Leonard dominated the match and won by unanimous decision, putting an end to their historic trilogy. This victory reaffirmed Leonard's skill and place in boxing history.

Sugar Ray Leonard's final professional boxing match took place on March 1, 1997, against Héctor 'Macho' Camacho. The fight occurred at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Leonard, attempting another comeback, lost to Camacho by a fifth-round TKO. Following this fight, Leonard officially retired from boxing, ending a distinguished career that spanned over two decades.