Sugar Ray Leonard

I made the decision to turn pro, and I remember what Ali said to me: ‘Get Angelo Dundee. He’s the right complexion with the right connection.’ He knew boxing. Our relationship was so genuine, so sincere.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I never met a person as determined as my mother. From working hard for six kids to just trying to keep the household down or maintain my father’s discipline, my dad, I’m so much like my father too. My father was so introverted, quiet, shy, nice. I got attributes from my father and mother.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I remember all the important fights. Vividly. In detail.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I run with music all the time. I cannot run without my iPod. I have everything. Teddy Pendergrass. Luther Van Dross. Michael Jackson. Outkast. If an Usher song comes on and it’s fast, I go fast.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I think I’ve become one of the best finishers in boxing; if I hurt a guy, I normally take him out.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I tried the gloves on, and it just felt so natural. From that moment I became so embedded in boxing. I found a friend in boxing.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I want my fights to be seen as plays that have a beginning, a middle and an end.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I watched Muhammad Ali, how when he would speak, how it was such a thing of beauty. It sounded so wonderful. And I wanted to be like him.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I went through real darkness, but the ring was my light. That was the one place I felt safe. I could control what happened in the ring. My heart turned icy.

Sugar Ray Leonard

I’ll think, if this is his first punch, how are the others gonna feel? That’s the only fear I have for myself.

Sugar Ray Leonard