On This Day

Sugar Ray Leonard

Athlete

Born: American

Ray Charles Leonard, better known as Sugar Ray Leonard, is an American former professional boxer. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he competed professionally between 1977 and 1997, winning world titles in five weight classes; the lineal championship in three weight classes; as well as the undisputed welterweight championship. Leonard was part of the "Four Kings", a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980s, consisting of Leonard, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler. Leonard was the only one of them to beat the other three. As an amateur, Leonard won a light welterweight gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

The "Four Kings" created a wave of popularity in the lower weight classes that kept boxing relevant in the post-Muhammad Ali era, during which Leonard defeated future fellow International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees Hearns, Durán, Hagler, and Wilfred Benítez. Leonard was also the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses, and was named "Boxer of the Decade" in the 1980s.

Notable For

American boxer

Sugar Ray Leonard's Historical Timeline

  1. Sugar Ray Leonard is born

    Sugar Ray Leonard, American athlete, known for american boxer, was born on 1957-05-17. Ray Charles Leonard, better known as Sugar Ray Leonard, is an American former professional boxer.

  2. Sugar Ray Leonard retires for the first time

    Ray Charles Leonard, better known as Sugar Ray Leonard, is an American former professional boxer.

  3. After losing his world welterweight boxing titles to Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns wins WBC Super Welterweight crown

    After losing his world welterweight boxing titles to Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns wins WBC Super Welterweight crown in a majority points decision over Wilfred Benitez at Superdome, New Orleans

  4. Sugar Ray Leonard KO's Donnie LaLonde

    Donny Lalonde is a retired professional boxer. His nickname is "Golden Boy," after the Golden Boy statue atop the Manitoba Legislative Building in his boxing home town of Winnipeg.

  5. Terry Norris knocks down Sugar Ray Leonard twice and beats him to defend his WBC Super Welterweight title

    Terry Norris knocks down Sugar Ray Leonard twice and beats him to defend his WBC Super Welterweight title

Associated Historical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sugar Ray Leonard born?
Sugar Ray Leonard was born on 1957-05-17 (American).
What is Sugar Ray Leonard known for?
American boxer
What historical events involved Sugar Ray Leonard?
Sugar Ray Leonard was involved in 5 recorded historical events, including Sugar Ray Leonard is born, Sugar Ray Leonard retires for the first time, After losing his world welterweight boxing titles to Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns wins WBC Super Welterweight crown .

Related Years