Best fights of Sugar Ray Leonard
Over 20 years as a professional, Sugar Ray Leonard has compiled a 36-3-1 (25) record, including 16 title fights across four weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Sugar Ray Leonard KOs Roberto Durán in their 2nd fight
On November 25, 1980 Sugar Ray Leonard fought Roberto Durán for the WBC, The Ring, and lineal welterweight titles. It was their second meeting. Leonard was 24 years old with a record of 27-1, and Durán was 29 with a record of 72-1. Leonard was coming off a loss, while Durán was on a 41-fight winning streak. Leonard stopped Roberto Durán via TKO in the 8th round. Crowned the new welterweight champion.
2. Sugar Ray Leonard KOs Thomas Hearns
On September 16, 1981 Sugar Ray Leonard met Thomas Hearns in an undisputed welterweight title unification fight. Leonard was 25 years old with a record of 30-1, and Hearns was 22 with a record of 32-0. Leonard was on a 3-fight winning streak and Hearns was on an undefeated 32-fight winning streak. Leonard stopped Thomas Hearns via TKO in the 14th round. Retained the undisputed title.
3. Sugar Ray Leonard KOs Ayub Kalule
On June 25, 1981 Sugar Ray Leonard fought Ayub Kalule for the WBA and The Ring super welterweight titles. Leonard was 25 years old with a record of 29-1, and Kalule was 27 with a record of 36-0. Leonard was on a 2-fight winning streak and Kalule was on an undefeated 36-fight winning streak. Leonard stopped Ayub Kalule via TKO in the 9th round. Crowned the new super welterweight champion.
4. Sugar Ray Leonard KOs Wilfred Benítez
On November 30, 1979 Sugar Ray Leonard fought Wilfred Benítez for the WBC, The Ring, and lineal welterweight titles. Leonard was 23 years old with a record of 25-0, and Benítez was 21 with a record of 38-0-1. Leonard was on an undefeated 25-fight winning streak and Benítez was on an undefeated 10-fight winning streak. Leonard stopped Wilfred Benítez via TKO in the 15th round. Crowned the new welterweight champion.
5. Sugar Ray Leonard KOs Donny Lalonde
On November 7, 1988 Sugar Ray Leonard fought Donny Lalonde for the WBC light heavyweight title. Leonard was 32 years old with a record of 34-1, and Lalonde was 28 with a record of 31-2. Leonard was on a 7-fight winning streak and Lalonde was on a 12-fight winning streak. Leonard stopped Donny Lalonde via TKO in the 9th round. Crowned the new light heavyweight champion.
6. Sugar Ray Leonard KOs Dave Boy Green
On March 31, 1980 Sugar Ray Leonard defended his WBC and The Ring welterweight titles against Dave Boy Green. Leonard was 23 years old with a record of 26-0, and Green was 26 with a record of 33-2. Leonard was on an undefeated 26-fight winning streak and Green was on a 2-fight winning streak. Leonard stopped Dave Boy Green via KO in the 4th round. Defended the titles.
7. Sugar Ray Leonard defeats Marvelous Marvin Hagler
On April 6, 1987 Sugar Ray Leonard fought Marvelous Marvin Hagler for the WBC and The Ring middleweight titles. Leonard was 30 years old with a record of 33-1, and Hagler was 32 with a record of 62-2-2. Leonard was on a 6-fight winning streak and Hagler was on a 16-fight winning streak. Leonard won via split decision. Crowned the new middleweight champion.
8. Sugar Ray Leonard defeats Roberto Durán in their 3rd fight
On December 7, 1989 Sugar Ray Leonard defended his WBC super middleweight title against Roberto Durán. It was their third meeting. Leonard was 33 years old with a record of 35-1-1, and Durán was 38 with a record of 85-7. Durán was on a 6-fight winning streak. Leonard won via unanimous decision. Defended the title.
9. Sugar Ray Leonard KOs Bruce Finch
On February 15, 1982 Sugar Ray Leonard defended the undisputed welterweight title against Bruce Finch. Leonard was 25 years old with a record of 31-1, and Finch was 0 with a record of 0-0. Leonard was on a 4-fight winning streak. Leonard stopped Bruce Finch via TKO in the 3rd round. Retained the undisputed title.
10. Sugar Ray Leonard KOs Larry Bonds
On March 28, 1981 Sugar Ray Leonard defended his WBC and The Ring welterweight titles against Larry Bonds. Leonard was 24 years old with a record of 28-1, and Bonds was 0 with a record of 0-0. Leonard was coming off a win. Leonard stopped Larry Bonds via TKO in the 10th round. Defended the titles.