As one of the ‘Four Kings’, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard has certainly etched his name into the boxing history books.
Some of the great moments of Leonard’s career include his amazing knockout over Thomas Hearns, and getting revenge for his devastating loss to Roberto Duran.
Leonard retired in 1997 after a fight with Hector Camacho. Ending his career, he had a professional record of 36-3 and was a four-division champion.
First becoming world champion in 1979, Leonard would only compete in world title bouts in almost every fight for the rest of his career. Defeating Wilfred Benitez to become champion, it was the first step to greatness.
Sugar Ray Leonard would earn a 15th-round TKO over Wilfred Benitez in 1979
After winning his first 25 fights of his career, a 23-year-old Leonard would challenge Wilfred Benitez (38-0-1), the youngest world champion of all time. The pair would fight for Bentiez’s WBC World Welterweight title, meeting in Las Vegas.
Benitez had been unbeaten across 39 fights, however, Leonard was able to find a way to win. Although ‘Sugar’ was seemingly making his way towards a victory on the scorecards, he capped off his performance with an impressive finish.
With just six seconds left on the clock, the referee waved off the bout as Leonard pressured Benitez following a knockdown. The win would make Leonard a champion for the first time, claiming the welterweight belt.
Leonard said Benitez was incredibly hard to hit in the fight, years after the world title triumph.
In his first world title defense, Leonard would have another legendary moment.
Sugar Ray Leonard had a jaw-dropping knockout to defend his world title
For his first world title defense, Leonard would meet Dave ‘Boy’ Green (33-2) in Maryland in March 1980.
Green was a former world title challenger and European champion. However, Leonard would be the greatest test of his career.
The English challenger would not have much success in the fight. For the opening four rounds, Leonard was leading the dance, landing significant blows on Green.
The final round of the fight would see Leonard up his aggression, having been counter-punching for the majority of the bout. With less than a minute left on the clock, Leonard would land a devastating combination.
The left hook was the final of four punches thrown in the combination, knocking Green out on his feet. The challenger crashed to the canvas on his back, and the fight was immediately waved off.
Despite having an impressive first title defense, Leonard would then taste defeat for the first time in his following bout.
Meeting Duran three months later, ‘El Cholo’ would dethrone Leonard. A unanimous decision victory in Montreal would see the 72-fight veteran get the better of the young American.