Aaron Pryor wants to get into the ring with me. He wants to be able to retire, and he will. For heal...
Show more »
Aaron Pryor wants to get into the ring with me. He wants to be able to retire, and he will. For health reasons.
Show less «
I made the decision to turn pro, and I remember what Ali said to me: 'Get Angelo Dundee. He's the ri...
Show more »
I made the decision to turn pro, and I remember what Ali said to me: 'Get Angelo Dundee. He's the right complexion with the right connection.' He knew boxing. Our relationship was so genuine, so sincere.
Show less «
I fought tall fighters, short fighters, strong fighters, slow fighters, sluggers and boxers. It was ...
Show more »
I fought tall fighters, short fighters, strong fighters, slow fighters, sluggers and boxers. It was either learn or get knocked off.
Show less «
I run with music all the time. I cannot run without my iPod. I have everything. Teddy Pendergrass. L...
Show more »
I run with music all the time. I cannot run without my iPod. I have everything. Teddy Pendergrass. Luther Van Dross. Michael Jackson. Outkast. If an Usher song comes on and it's fast, I go fast.
Show less «
I was painfully initiated into boxing, because the guys I fought were a lot bigger than me.
I was painfully initiated into boxing, because the guys I fought were a lot bigger than me.
The Olympics meant everything to me. Going through them is like nothing else you will ever experienc...
Show more »
The Olympics meant everything to me. Going through them is like nothing else you will ever experience. For those few weeks, you are in another world. At that point, I couldn't see how there could ever be anything better.
Show less «
Before the start of the '76 Olympics, I'd had 160 amateur fights. I won 155 and lost five.
Before the start of the '76 Olympics, I'd had 160 amateur fights. I won 155 and lost five.
When I was fighting, I would look to excite the crowds with a bolo punch or something taunting. Look...
Show more »
When I was fighting, I would look to excite the crowds with a bolo punch or something taunting. Looking back, they were legal - but not sportsmanlike. I don't recommend another boxer try them. But we looked more to make the robot fights dramatic first and realistic second.
Show less «
When the trainer talks to the fighter, there's a connection. You don't always have to say much.
When the trainer talks to the fighter, there's a connection. You don't always have to say much.
Joe Frazier was the epitome of a champion. I mean, here is a guy who was total old school, blue coll...
Show more »
Joe Frazier was the epitome of a champion. I mean, here is a guy who was total old school, blue collar, who would fight anybody. You know, he didn't tell you he was the best fighter pound for pound.
Show less «
My very best memory of Montreal was the moment inside the Olympic arena when I was waiting under the...
Show more »
My very best memory of Montreal was the moment inside the Olympic arena when I was waiting under the stadium and those majestic gates opened up. It was a whole other world.
Show less «
You get these moments in the ring that live forever. That's what Muhammad Ali accomplished, and I ho...
Show more »
You get these moments in the ring that live forever. That's what Muhammad Ali accomplished, and I hope that I have, too.
Show less «
For some reason, I was drawn towards boxing. Or maybe boxing drew me towards it - because once I put...
Show more »
For some reason, I was drawn towards boxing. Or maybe boxing drew me towards it - because once I put those gloves on, after about six months, boxing was my life.
Show less «
To be the best, you need to spend hours and hours and hours running, hitting the speed bag, lifting ...
Show more »
To be the best, you need to spend hours and hours and hours running, hitting the speed bag, lifting weights and focusing on training.
Show less «
I made an instant connection with boxing right away. Boxing became such a part of me. I ate boxing, ...
Show more »
I made an instant connection with boxing right away. Boxing became such a part of me. I ate boxing, I slept boxing, I lived boxing. Boxing was a way of expressing myself because I was not that outspoken.
Show less «
Boxing is the ultimate challenge. There's nothing that can compare to testing yourself the way you d...
Show more »
Boxing is the ultimate challenge. There's nothing that can compare to testing yourself the way you do every time you step in the ring.
Show less «
To say what I would have been if I wasn't boxing, I don't know why, but I always wanted to be an x-r...
Show more »
To say what I would have been if I wasn't boxing, I don't know why, but I always wanted to be an x-ray technician or a substitute teacher. Those two occupations always stuck with me, maybe because my substitute teacher didn't give us homework, or because I've always had x-rays of my hands.
Show less «
Looking back, yes, I made too many comebacks. But each comeback I was 100 percent sure that I would ...
Show more »
Looking back, yes, I made too many comebacks. But each comeback I was 100 percent sure that I would win. I never came back for the money, because I didn't need it. The adulation I was getting anyway in other spheres. But I'm a guy who likes to see how close he can get to the edge of the mountain - that's what makes me tick.
Show less «
Bruce Lee was an artist and, like him, I try to go beyond the fundamentals of my sport. I want the p...
Show more »
Bruce Lee was an artist and, like him, I try to go beyond the fundamentals of my sport. I want the public to see a knockout in the making.
Show less «
I'll think, If this is his first punch, how are the others gonna feel? That's the only fear I have f...
Show more »
I'll think, If this is his first punch, how are the others gonna feel? That's the only fear I have for myself.
Show less «
I'm a free agent. I haven't allowed any promoters to have exclusive options on my fight. I don't nee...
Show more »
I'm a free agent. I haven't allowed any promoters to have exclusive options on my fight. I don't need a promoter.
Show less «
I am excited to share my archive pictures and footage. I'll also share announcements about current e...
Show more »
I am excited to share my archive pictures and footage. I'll also share announcements about current events and success stories from the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation to help fight diabetes and child obesity.
Show less «
The thing about boxers is that there's respect there. You beat me, and I may not like it, but you kn...
Show more »
The thing about boxers is that there's respect there. You beat me, and I may not like it, but you know what, deep down inside, I respect you. And that's the code of honor.
Show less «
Although it was a great accomplishment to win a gold medal, as soon as they put it on you, that's it...
Show more »
Although it was a great accomplishment to win a gold medal, as soon as they put it on you, that's it; your career is over.
Show less «
The time to stop is when the other guy hits you more than you hit him.
The time to stop is when the other guy hits you more than you hit him.
People try to live vicariously through fighters, but it's one-on-one; it's primal. There's no other ...
Show more »
People try to live vicariously through fighters, but it's one-on-one; it's primal. There's no other feeling like it. The problem for me was accepting it - that nothing compares to being champ.
Show less «
I'm one of the most optimistic persons in the world. I always believed that - there's another shot, ...
Show more »
I'm one of the most optimistic persons in the world. I always believed that - there's another shot, another chance. In boxing, I never gave up. I kept trying, kept trying. Even when things seemed so dim, I continued to push forward to make something happen in my favor.
Show less «
I always expect unexpected challenges. Boxing is not an easy sport.
I always expect unexpected challenges. Boxing is not an easy sport.
I learned to run backwards from Muhammad Ali. He told me about running backwards because you try to ...
Show more »
I learned to run backwards from Muhammad Ali. He told me about running backwards because you try to imitate everything you do in the ring, so sometimes you back up. So you have to train your legs to go backwards.
Show less «
Boxing was not something I truly enjoyed. Like a lot of things in life, when you put the gloves on, ...
Show more »
Boxing was not something I truly enjoyed. Like a lot of things in life, when you put the gloves on, it's better to give than to receive.
Show less «
Boxing is a sport, but it's also entertainment. I wanted to transcend the sport and be considered ju...
Show more »
Boxing is a sport, but it's also entertainment. I wanted to transcend the sport and be considered just not as a fighter, or a champion, but someone very special.
Show less «
I was not from a middle-class family at all. I did not have middle-class possessions and what have y...
Show more »
I was not from a middle-class family at all. I did not have middle-class possessions and what have you. But I had middle-class parents who gave me what was needed to survive in society.
Show less «
I've done a lot of things in my life that I'm not proud of.
I've done a lot of things in my life that I'm not proud of.
Success is attaining your dream while helping others to benefit from that dream materializing.
Success is attaining your dream while helping others to benefit from that dream materializing.
When I'm not in training. I'll walk around the streets at 153, but it's not solid; it's my socializi...
Show more »
When I'm not in training. I'll walk around the streets at 153, but it's not solid; it's my socializing weight.
Show less «
To be the best, you need to spend hours and hours and hours running, hitting the speed bag, lifting ...
Show more »
To be the best, you need to spend hours and hours and hours running, hitting the speed bag, lifting weights and just focusing on training.
Show less «
Holyfield is nothing but class, and I think he's a breath of fresh air for the sport.
Holyfield is nothing but class, and I think he's a breath of fresh air for the sport.
Before I fight, I always pray that no one gets hurt.
Before I fight, I always pray that no one gets hurt.
Without boxing, because of my neighborhoods, who knows what would have happened to me. It was always...
Show more »
Without boxing, because of my neighborhoods, who knows what would have happened to me. It was always about following the leader. And I definitely was not a leader. Boxing gave me discipline; a sense of self. It made me more outspoken. It gave me more confidence.
Show less «
Boxing was the only career where I wouldn't have to start out at the bottom. I had a good resume.
Boxing was the only career where I wouldn't have to start out at the bottom. I had a good resume.
I never met a person as determined as my mother. From working hard for six kids to just trying to ke...
Show more »
I never met a person as determined as my mother. From working hard for six kids to just trying to keep the household down or maintain my father's discipline, my dad, I'm so much like my father too. My father was so introverted, quiet, shy, nice. I got attributes from my father and mother.
Show less «
For the most part, I think video games do a good job of capturing the essence of boxing. However, I'...
Show more »
For the most part, I think video games do a good job of capturing the essence of boxing. However, I'd like to continue to see them push the realism, emphasizing the skill involved.
Show less «
I didn't excel too highly in school, but I felt that I was moving ahead - and not just in boxing - b...
Show more »
I didn't excel too highly in school, but I felt that I was moving ahead - and not just in boxing - but in life.
Show less «
I watched Ali, studied Ali, and I studied Sugar Ray Robinson. I watched them display showmanship. I ...
Show more »
I watched Ali, studied Ali, and I studied Sugar Ray Robinson. I watched them display showmanship. I watched them use pizzazz, personality, and charisma. I took things from them and borrowed things from them because boxing is entertainment.
Show less «
I'm a competitor and a very proud man. If a guy beats me once, he'll have to do it again to make me ...
Show more »
I'm a competitor and a very proud man. If a guy beats me once, he'll have to do it again to make me believe him.
Show less «
They say that I'm stubborn, and my wife says that, too, but it's paid off so far.
They say that I'm stubborn, and my wife says that, too, but it's paid off so far.
Normally, I would run with a group of guys in my camps. A couple of days before the fight, I would r...
Show more »
Normally, I would run with a group of guys in my camps. A couple of days before the fight, I would run by myself. That was my time to choreograph the fight in my head, so I needed to be myself.
Show less «
I've never believed in tying myself up in a long-range contract, and I've been very outspoken on tha...
Show more »
I've never believed in tying myself up in a long-range contract, and I've been very outspoken on that subject.
Show less «
Boxing is the ultimate challenge. There's nothing that can compare to testing yourself the way you d...
Show more »
Boxing is the ultimate challenge. There's nothing that can compare to testing yourself the way you do every time you step in the ring. On the downside, you meet a lot of really bad people in boxing, at all stages of your career.
Show less «
I wouldn't change anything because the mistakes and the hurt are as important as all the great fight...
Show more »
I wouldn't change anything because the mistakes and the hurt are as important as all the great fights. They made me who I am today.
Show less «
Boxing brings out my aggressive instinct, not necessarily a killer instinct.
Boxing brings out my aggressive instinct, not necessarily a killer instinct.
I watched Muhammad Ali, how when he would speak, how it was such a thing of beauty. It sounded so wo...
Show more »
I watched Muhammad Ali, how when he would speak, how it was such a thing of beauty. It sounded so wonderful. And I wanted to be like him.
Show less «
Boxing will always be in my life.
Boxing will always be in my life.
I run three to four times a week. I go down to Orange County in California and I run all the time......
Show more »
I run three to four times a week. I go down to Orange County in California and I run all the time... all the time. You see the oceans, the trees. I like running in hot weather. I like to sweat and get all those toxins out of my system. I thoroughly enjoy it.
Show less «
Ray Leonard is more the family man, kind of quiet. He's not as outgoing as Sugar Ray Leonard. Sugar ...
Show more »
Ray Leonard is more the family man, kind of quiet. He's not as outgoing as Sugar Ray Leonard. Sugar Ray Leonard was very determined, very focused, very outgoing and very selfish, if you will. There are two different individuals there.
Show less «
When we got back to the U.S., I wanted to kiss the ground after seeing what people in other countrie...
Show more »
When we got back to the U.S., I wanted to kiss the ground after seeing what people in other countries are denied or don't have.
Show less «
I used to walk to the Washington Monument from North L Street Northwest. And I was so hungry at time...
Show more »
I used to walk to the Washington Monument from North L Street Northwest. And I was so hungry at times, I would stop and look into the trash cans, and if there was a half a sandwich, I would take that sandwich and eat it. It was just a matter of survival. I didn't think much of it, but it was just the way things were.
Show less «
Sugar Ray Robinson was probably the greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time.
Sugar Ray Robinson was probably the greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time.
Boxing should focus on pitting champion versus champion - those are the fights that everyone wants t...
Show more »
Boxing should focus on pitting champion versus champion - those are the fights that everyone wants to see. The sports also needs to work on developing new heroes and personalities. I'd like to see more vignettes on fighters, focusing on their lives, goals and stories. Boxers need to be larger than life.
Show less «
I wanted to be like Bruce Jenner.
I wanted to be like Bruce Jenner.
Boxing's a poor man's sport. We can't afford to play golf or tennis. It is what it is. It's kept so ...
Show more »
Boxing's a poor man's sport. We can't afford to play golf or tennis. It is what it is. It's kept so many kids off the street. It kept me off the street.
Show less «
People can do more than they ever believe they can do. Physically, mentally, academically. You have ...
Show more »
People can do more than they ever believe they can do. Physically, mentally, academically. You have to be pushed. It hurts. But it's worth it, and it's a great thing.
Show less «
I came from nothing and achieved humungous fame and fortune. But I worked hard. I had discipline and...
Show more »
I came from nothing and achieved humungous fame and fortune. But I worked hard. I had discipline and determination. I had that ice in me.
Show less «
I want my fights to be seen as plays that have a beginning, a middle and an end.
I want my fights to be seen as plays that have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Except for Ali, fighters had never been marketable.
Except for Ali, fighters had never been marketable.
I think I've become one of the best finishers in boxing; if I hurt a guy, I normally take him out.
I think I've become one of the best finishers in boxing; if I hurt a guy, I normally take him out.
When I turned pro, Muhammad Ali was laying back, and I was able to fill up an area that was empty.
When I turned pro, Muhammad Ali was laying back, and I was able to fill up an area that was empty.
In Italy, I had an Afro, and a lot of the kids came up and felt my hair. It really was funny. I wish...
Show more »
In Italy, I had an Afro, and a lot of the kids came up and felt my hair. It really was funny. I wish I had understood Italian.
Show less «
Boxing is individual, although there's a team concept because you need a great corner, you need a gr...
Show more »
Boxing is individual, although there's a team concept because you need a great corner, you need a great trainer, you need a great prep man, you need all of these things, but it's more of a Mano a Mano; it's more you versus me. I miss that time in training camp and Dad and Mom cooking meals. It was one big family.
Show less «
Duran always disturbs me. The guy is just weird. Before our first fight, both Duran and his wife gav...
Show more »
Duran always disturbs me. The guy is just weird. Before our first fight, both Duran and his wife gave my wife the finger.
Show less «
We're all given some sort of skill in life. Mine just happens to be beating up on people.
We're all given some sort of skill in life. Mine just happens to be beating up on people.
I remember all the important fights. Vividly. In detail.
I remember all the important fights. Vividly. In detail.
At 14, I was the most disciplined guy around. I would get up at 5 o'clock in the morning and run fiv...
Show more »
At 14, I was the most disciplined guy around. I would get up at 5 o'clock in the morning and run five miles, and then go to school. Sometimes I would run behind the school bus, and the kids thought I was just crazy. I knew what I wanted.
Show less «
I think an athlete should be honest. I know it's difficult, but if a guy knocked me on my can, I cou...
Show more »
I think an athlete should be honest. I know it's difficult, but if a guy knocked me on my can, I couldn't very well say, I slipped.
Show less «
I wanted to win the gold medal and then go home and further my education in college. I had no intent...
Show more »
I wanted to win the gold medal and then go home and further my education in college. I had no intentions whatsoever to become a professional fighter because I had heard horror stories about former boxers who made money but, in the end, ended up with nothing. I didn't want to be one of those guys.
Show less «
There will always be something about two men in the ring - a mystique because it's pure man-to-man c...
Show more »
There will always be something about two men in the ring - a mystique because it's pure man-to-man competition. Because of the history boxing has and the tradition it holds, boxing will always have a that mystique.
Show less «
I'm not religious, but I believe that what I have is a gift, and I respect it and live up to it.
I'm not religious, but I believe that what I have is a gift, and I respect it and live up to it.
You just don't heal that easy unless you're young.
You just don't heal that easy unless you're young.
I asked my kids, 'Do you know what Papa used to do.' They said, 'You were a boxer, you won the Olymp...
Show more »
I asked my kids, 'Do you know what Papa used to do.' They said, 'You were a boxer, you won the Olympics!' And that's what they know.
Show less «
I don't hold any regrets whatsoever about my life besides hurting people I loved.
I don't hold any regrets whatsoever about my life besides hurting people I loved.
No one but myself thought I could beat guys like Tommy Hearns or Roberto Duran.
No one but myself thought I could beat guys like Tommy Hearns or Roberto Duran.
Ali's belief in himself was something I picked up on, and it's become my own philosophy.
Ali's belief in himself was something I picked up on, and it's become my own philosophy.
Muhammad Ali was a god, an idol and an icon. He was boxing. Any kid that had the opportunity to talk...
Show more »
Muhammad Ali was a god, an idol and an icon. He was boxing. Any kid that had the opportunity to talk to Ali, to get advice from Muhammad Ali, was privileged. He's always given me time to ask questions, although I was so in awe that I didn't ask questions.
Show less «
When you're a boxer, there is a lot of downtime and long periods of inactivity.
When you're a boxer, there is a lot of downtime and long periods of inactivity.
I always designed my robes and how I would present myself at every fight.
I always designed my robes and how I would present myself at every fight.
You don't appreciate things until they're gone. For me, I miss my friends; I don't miss boxing, I mi...
Show more »
You don't appreciate things until they're gone. For me, I miss my friends; I don't miss boxing, I miss the camaraderie.
Show less «
I was just such a quiet kid. I found boxing when I was 14 years old. I went down to the gym because ...
Show more »
I was just such a quiet kid. I found boxing when I was 14 years old. I went down to the gym because my brother, who used to beat me up all the time, introduced me to boxing. I found boxing to be a sport that I felt safe in because I controlled what was in those four squares.
Show less «
Fighters display two things. They display confidence, or they display a look that says, 'I'm not sur...
Show more »
Fighters display two things. They display confidence, or they display a look that says, 'I'm not sure.'
Show less «
I made mistakes, but I'm luckier than most. I've got a successful business, lots of fans who think a...
Show more »
I made mistakes, but I'm luckier than most. I've got a successful business, lots of fans who think a lot of me and a family who loves me.
Show less «
If I hadn't had the talent, the networks wouldn't have televised my fights. No one has made me; I ma...
Show more »
If I hadn't had the talent, the networks wouldn't have televised my fights. No one has made me; I made myself. I paid my dues.
Show less «
I was not athletically inclined. I was very quiet, introverted, non-confrontational. My three older ...
Show more »
I was not athletically inclined. I was very quiet, introverted, non-confrontational. My three older brothers were athletes - basketball, football - but I was kind of a momma's boy. Then one day, my brother Roger encouraged me to go to the boxing gym with him. I tried the gloves on, and it just felt so natural.
Show less «
Within our dreams and aspirations we find our opportunities.
Within our dreams and aspirations we find our opportunities.
I enjoy the school run and being a dad. Boxing will always be with me. I like that.
I enjoy the school run and being a dad. Boxing will always be with me. I like that.
It's different when you become a professional, because you also have to become a businessman, and th...
Show more »
It's different when you become a professional, because you also have to become a businessman, and that takes something away from it.
Show less «
Generally, the more weight you put on, the less effective you are.
Generally, the more weight you put on, the less effective you are.
It's hard to talk about yourself.
It's hard to talk about yourself.
I went through real darkness, but the ring was my light. That was the one place I felt safe. I could...
Show more »
I went through real darkness, but the ring was my light. That was the one place I felt safe. I could control what happened in the ring. My heart turned icy.
Show less «
