Both Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard are amongst the greatest fighters of all time.
Ali and Leonard both enjoyed huge amounts of success in their respective weight classes. ‘The Greatest’ is one of the very best heavyweights of all time, while Leonard was a welterweight king.
The two multiple-time champions did not have much of an overlap in terms of their careers. Ali retired in 1981, while Leonard made his debut four years prior.
However, their differences in age did not stop the men from being friends. This even included Ali giving Leonard advice before becoming a professional boxer.
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Muhammad Ali advised a young Sugar Ray Leonard
Before turning professional, Leonard attended an Ali bout where he spoke to the former heavyweight champion afterward.
Speaking to Youth Inc., Leonard described Ali as an idol and as a friend. “He said to me, ‘Ray if you ever turn pro, make sure you sign your own checks. And make sure you take care of yourself, from a business perspective,'” Leonard revealed.
‘Sugar’ would also add that Ali said, “And make sure you take Angelo Dundee [Ali’s trainer] with you.”
It would be advice that Leonard would take on board. Throughout his career, Leonard had Dundee in his corner as his trainer, who led him to world titles in four divisions.
Sugar Ray Leonard made his debut in 1977
After winning a gold medal at the 1976 Olympic Games, Leonard would make his professional debut the next year.
The Olympian would take on Luis Vega (8-11-3) in his first bout in February of 1977, winning a one-sided unanimous decision.
‘Sugar’ would go on to fight a total of six times in 1977, winning all of his fights, with four stoppages. Leonard would get his first title opportunity in 1979.
Leonard faced Wilfred Benitez in his first world title fight. Meeting in November 1970 in Las Vegas, ‘Sugar’ would win by TKO in round 15 for the WBC World Welterweight title.
The win would be the first title triumph of his career. He would hold the title until Leonard’s devastating loss to Roberto Duran the following year, in what was the start of an epic rivalry.