All-time great ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard has been in some of the most entertaining fights in the 20th century.
Considered by Frank Warren to be one of the greatest fighters of all time, Leonard has beaten some of the very best. This includes boasting wins over his fellow ‘Four Kings’, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler.
With a professional record of 36-3-1, Leonard retired after losing to Hector Camacho. However, at this stage, he had already cemented his legacy.
In his career, Leonard managed to attain 25 knockouts. This includes an incredible finishing streak consisting of world title fights.
Sugar Ray Leonard went on finishing streak from 1980 to 1984
Leonard would suffer the first professional loss of his career in 1980. After Leonard defeated Wilfred Benitez for the WBC World Welterweight title in 1979, he would drop it the following year.
As Leonard suffered a devastating loss to Duran, ‘Sugar’ was eager to set up the rematch. Not only would Leonard get revenge in the famous ‘No Mas’ fight, but it would also be the beginning of a great streak.
Scoring an eighth-round TKO over Duran, this would be the first of six finishes in a row for Leonard. Five of which would come in title fights.
A 10th-round stoppage of Larry Bonds in March 1981 would be his first of the calendar year. Then, Leonard made it three finishes in a row against Ayub Kalule three months later.
In September 1981, Leonard would compete in a super welterweight title unification bout. As Leonard stopped all-time great Thomas Hearns, the 14th-round knockout continued his finishing form.
Defending his WBA and WBC World Welterweight titles, Leonard was able to dispatch Bruce Finch in the third round in February 1982.
In May 1984, Leonard would make a return to the ring after almost two years. Taking on Kevin Howard, Leonard would score a ninth-round TKO, his sixth in a row.
After another three-year absence, however, Leonard’s streak would come to an end. Although there have been fighters who have gone on longer knockout streaks, few will have included the same quality of opposition as Leonard’s.
Marvin Hagler would end Sugar Ray Leonard’s finishing streak
In April 1987, Leonard would return to the ring in Las Vegas to challenge WBC middleweight champion Marvin Hagler.
‘Marvelous’ Hagler was coming off a win over John Mugabi, as he sought his 63rd professional win. However, he was dethroned as middleweight champion.
Losing the close fight by razor-thin margins, Leonard won a split decision. Although the victory would make Leonard a three-division champion, it would be the end of his finishing streak.
It had been the first time Leonard had heard the final bell of a bout since his loss to Duran in 1980.