Happy Birthday Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the greatest fighters of all time is celebrating his 67th anniversary today.

Ray was born in Wilmington, North Carolina and registered as Ray Charles Leonard. Since he was a teenager, was destined for boxing, and step by step he became one of the best amateurs in the United States.

He was a brilliant Olympic champion. He won gold in 1976 at the Montreal Olympics. The great success of his sports life came in professionalism.

From his debut he showed what he would become, an all time great. He was the first man in boxing to win world championships in five divisions.

He reigned at welterweight, super welterweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight. He obviously fought against those who were at the top level of his time, men like Marvin Hagler, Roberto Durán, Tommy Hearns, Wilfredo Benítez, Don Lalonde, Ayub Kalule, the “Macho” Camacho, Terry Norris and many others.

His record in the ring is 36 wins, three losses and one draw. Of his triumphs, 25 were by way of knockout.
Ray has always had a close relationship with the WBC, he has attended multiple conventions and events of the body, showing the most human and sensitive side of him.

In November of 2021 , at the WBC convention, with his dazzling smile, he participated in a tribute to his former rival Marvin Hagler, along with other legends of the sport such as Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Duran,

Vinny Paz and Donny Lalonde, giving him one of the most emotional moments of the WBC annual meeting.

All of us who are part of the World Boxing Council send our best wishes and warm congratulations to Sugar Ray Leonard.