Ray Charles Leonard, best known as “Sugar” was born on May 17, 1956 (64 years) in Wilmington, North Carolina USA. He is a former American professional boxer and, motivational speaker.
CAREER
Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he competed from 1977 to 1997, winning world titles in five weight divisions; the lineal championship in three weight divisions, as well as the undisputed welterweight title.
Leonard was part of “The Fabulous Four”, a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980s, consisting of Leonard, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler.”
The Fabulous Four” created a wave of popularity in the lower weight classes 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. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1979 and 1981, while the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1976, 1979, and 1981.
In 2002, Leonard was voted by The Ring as the ninth greatest fighter of the last 80 years while BoxRec ranks him as the 23rd greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound.
Some of Sugar Ray’s achievements are:
- 1973 National Golden Gloves Lightweight Champion
- 1973 National AAU Light Welterweight Championship runner-up
- 1974 National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Champion
- 1974 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion
- 1974 North American Championships Gold Medalist
- 1975 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion
- 1975 North American Championships Gold Medalist
- 1975 Pan American Games Light Welterweight Gold Medalist
- 1976 Olympic Light Welterweight Gold Medalist
CAREER SUMMARY
- 40 fights
- 36 wins
- 3 losses By knockout251 By decision112
- Draws1
FAMILY LIFE: WIVES, CHILDREN, RELATION TO THE KARDASHIAN FAMILY
Leonard married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Wilkinson, in January 1980.
Their six-year-old son, Ray Jr., served as the ring bearer. In 1984, they had another son, Jarrell. They were divorced in 1990. Leonard later confirmed and went on to reveal that the problems of their marriage were not due to drug and alcohol use.
In 1989, Leonard was introduced to Bernadette Robi,y by Kenny G.
Leonard and Robi were married at Leonard’s $8.7 million estate in Pacific Palisades, California in August 1993. At the wedding ceremony, the grounds were converted into a garden with 10,000 roses and blossoms of other flowers flown in from the Netherlands.
Leonard is also the godfather of Khloé Kardashian and has appeared on many episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
For many years, Leonard has been the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk for a Cure and is actively involved in raising both awareness and funds. Leonard has testified about the burden of diabetes and the need for continued research funding to find a cure.
The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and its annual Walk for a Cure. In 2009, the foundation expanded to support programs that help people rebuild their communities in ten cities across the United States. It supports accessible housing, healthcare services, and educational services, and job training. In 2007 he was awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission at the Riviera Country Club for his continued community involvement.
AUTO-BIOGRAPHY
In his autobiography, The Big Fight: My Life in and out of the Ring, Leonard reveals that as a young boxer he was the victim of sexual abuse from an Olympic trainer as well as another man, a benefactor. He has since made public appearances to bring attention to the issue of child sex abuse and, encouraging victims to report their abuse.
NET WORTH
Sugar Ray is valued at $120 Million.
