Nearly two decades ago this week, iconic boxer “Sugar” Ray Leonard was embarrassed against former junior middleweight champion “Terrible” Terry Norris by a lopsided unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs), named Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s by Ring Magazine, was one of the most skilled, accomplished and popular pugilists in the history of the sport.
“Sugar Ray” initially gained his fame and adoration when he won a gold medal as a light welterweight at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
Following his brilliant triumph in Canada’s second largest city, Leonard planned on entering college.
Unfortunately, because he needed to financially support his gravely ill father, Leonard was instead swayed to become a professional fighter.
Leonard was a quick, powerful and exciting prizefighter.
Outside of the ring, Leonard possessed a beaming smile and he exuded charisma.
Many believed that Leonard would ultimately replace Muhammad Ali as boxing’s main attraction.
Leonard didn’t disappoint and he captured world titles at multiple weight classes as a pro.
Most impressively, Leonard managed to emerge victorious in his bouts against ring greats Wilfred Benitez (53-8-1, 31 KOs), Thomas Hearns (61-5-1, 48 KOs), Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) and Marvin Hagler (62-3-2, 52 KOs).
After years of shire excellence, Leonard began to slow and fade with age.
In February 1991, Leonard tried to defy father-time and defeat the athletic Norris (47-9, 31 KOs) for his title.
Predictably, Leonard failed in his quest and he was badly battered by Norris for an entire twelve rounds of action.
“For a lot of these guys, boxing is all they know and it’s the only way for them to make money,” said Ed LaVache, the owner of the Boston Boxing Club in Allston. “So, they keep fighting until the fight is lost in them.”
Leonard announced his retirement to the crowd shortly after he was brutalized by Norris.
Sadly, Leonard couldn’t resist the opportunity to return to prizefighting and he unwisely fought once more versus Hector Camacho (79-5-2, 38 KOs) in March 1997.
A spent Leonard was overwhelmed by the feathery punches of Camacho in five pathetic rounds.
If Leonard had listened to his body, he would have retired with only one loss on his otherwise glittering resume.
Instead, because of his inability to quit at the top of his game, Leonard ended his illustrious career with consecutive losses to inferior opponents.
Many boxers “keep fighting until the fight is lost in them.”
Regrettably, “Sugar” Ray Leonard was like most other boxers in that one regard.
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