Unblinded with Sean Callagy - Sugar Ray Leonard: Belief, Influence, and Winning the Mental Fight

Episode Date: January 20, 2026

In this unforgettable episode of Unblinded with Sean Callagy, Sean sits down with one of the most iconic champions in sports history — Sugar Ray Leonard — for a raw, heartfelt, and deeply human conversation about belief, influence, faith, and mental mastery.This is not just a boxing story.It’s a masterclass on how greatness is forged before anyone is watching.Sugar Ray reflects on his journey from a shy kid growing up in Maryland to Olympic gold medalist and world champion. He shares how early doubt — from others and himself — became fuel, not friction. Long before fame or fortune, his mindset was simple but uncompromising: “You have to believe in yourself. Because if you don’t, no one else will.” The conversation walks through defining moments that shaped Ray’s legacy:- Being bullied by his older brother — and how boxing became a path to confidence- Winning Olympic gold in 1976 against professional Cuban fighters- Entering professional boxing with skepticism swirling around his toughness- Being labeled “hype” — and proving otherwise on the biggest stagesSean and Ray dive deep into the psychological battles behind Ray’s most famous fights — especially against Roberto Durán. Ray openly shares how fighting Durán’s fight instead of his own led to defeat, and how self-awareness, discipline, and strategic adjustment created one of the most iconic comebacks in sports history: the “No Más” fight.But the episode goes far beyond the ring.Sugar Ray speaks candidly about his struggles with alcohol, addiction, and identity after success — and how humility, faith, and honesty saved his life. With 18 years of sobriety, Ray offers wisdom earned through pain, reflection, and accountability, reminding listeners that winning in life requires more than winning trophies.From rejecting Don King’s offer, to surrounding himself with the right people, to building a life of stability, marriage, and purpose, Ray’s story is ultimately about integrity, self-belief, and choosing the long game.This episode is about finishing strong — not just in fights, but in life.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction – Belief, Influence, and Legacy02:00 Growing Up Shy & Finding Confidence05:30 Early Doubt, Fear, and Self-Belief08:45 The Olympic Journey & 1976 Gold Medal12:40 Turning Pro & Being Labeled “Hype”16:20 Influence vs Power in the Ring20:10 Roberto Durán I – Fighting the Wrong Fight24:30 Self-Awareness, Adjustment, and Discipline28:10 Roberto Durán II – The “No Más” Moment32:45 Angelo Dundee’s Defining Coaching Moment36:10 Fame, Identity, and Life After the Spotlight39:40 Addiction, Alcohol, and Personal Reckoning43:30 Sobriety, Faith, and Rebuilding Life47:20 Legacy Beyond Titles and Trophies50:00 Closing Reflections & GratitudeKey Themes Covered- Why belief in yourself must come before results- The mental and psychological side of championship performance- Learning the difference between ego-driven action and strategic discipline- How influence can defeat brute force- Turning loss into insight instead of identity- Faith as an anchor during pressure and adversity- Addiction, recovery, and rebuilding life after success- Choosing the right people — and saying no to the wrong ones- Longevity, integrity, and winning beyond the spotlightEpisode Highlights (Bullet List)- Sugar Ray Leonard on growing up shy — and learning confidence- Winning Olympic gold against professional fighters- Why belief matters more than talent- Being labeled “hype” — and proving the world wrong- The psychological war behind the Roberto Durán rivalry- The lesson learned from fighting the wrong fight- How the “No Más” moment was won with influence, not fists- Angelo Dundee’s words that changed everything: “You’re blowing it, son”- Overcoming addiction and choosing sobriety- Building a life of stability, faith, and purpose- Winning financially, emotionally, and spiritually after boxing- Why true champions finish strong

I didn't have the talent, but I worked so hard. When people tell you you can't do this, you can't do that, you have to believe in yourself. Words can't describe the feeling of the Olympic gold medal. He used to beat on me a lot. My brother, you know, Roger, he just hit me. I said, you know, so I cried. I cried all the time. The greatest U.S. boxing team in Olympic history has not only Ray won the gold medal,

but four teammates won the gold medal. This world from dragging me down, I'm gonna stand by... I just won't do this. Just making sure it still works. Thank you very much. So we're going to box the next five minutes, I think. We're going to see what happens. Yes, I don't think it's going to go well for me.

Yes. But when I wrestle, do we wrestle? Are you okay with that shot? Yes, I am good. I thank you for pulling the plunge because I am clear that that would not have felt good. No, of course I am. I do that. Yes.

It was amazing. So, the honor that this is, the privilege this is, is amazing. But the truth is that I can't imagine this is going to be any better than what happened last night, but I'll do my best because sitting next to sugar-ray land. at the Peppercorn's restaurant, which was a half a mile away from where I started this crazy journey, quit my job, opened my first law firm. I used to go there twice a week to have lunch. I love it. We're in the back, you know, in a beautiful private area. And the love, the empathy, the fun, the presence. The man flew in, exhausted. I had no thought that he would even go to dinner last night and there he is at dinner and I'm sitting next to him shoulder he's like bumping in

me he's fun and magical heart-centered a master of masters so and I will not call you I don't want to get punched again so I will not I will not call you Mr. Actually I do want to get punched again I would love I would love you punch you like 10 more times that would be amazing because then I could like go home and be like you know I could take pictures and have a black eye and say sugar right Linder gave it to me so it's amazing so mr. Liner just how are you like How is life? Like, what's going on? What are you up to, please?

I know you told me last night, but what do you want to tell these people about where your life is now? And then we'll go back to the beginning. You know, I just feel so blessed from where I've been, from what I've done, from what I created. The thing about it, I'm shy, non-confrontational, but sociable if that makes sense. But you know, guys, I'm a blessed man. I mean, from what I've done, from where I've been, from what took place from day one, it's like when I won the gold medal in the Olympics.

I mean, there was nothing competitive to that. I mean, winning the gold medal because we were not expected to win anything. We won five gold medals. But coming home, my whole vision was to go to the United States. University of Maryland, further my education, get a good job, take care of my wife and my kids, my family. But you know what? It got even better than that, you know, but I was able to inspire people because people tell you what they can't do. They say, you can't do this, you can't do that. But you know what? You have to believe in yourself because if you don't, no one else will.

let's hear for that and so so Ray and this is what I would call him I would call Mr. Leonard and he threatened to punch me again if I called him Mr. Leonard but Ray could have gone to the University of Maryland on academic scholarship

he's a brilliant man and he did not want to box professionally after the Olympics his goal was to represent our country and to win the Olympic gold medal and after he did to be complete but then He had his dad and his mom, his family, and the beautiful things he wanted to do. So he went into professional boxing.

But is there anything from your childhood, Ray, they'd want this group to know about how that began to form and shape who you were? Anything in your childhood grew up in Maryland? Or do you want to jump right into, you know, leading up to the Olympics and, you know, your boxing career? Well, I tried out for the 1972 Olympics. No, it wasn't as experienced, qualified, but I went through it. In 76-11, I mean, it was meant to,

I'd tell you, it was meant to be, because, first of all, I mean, I didn't have the talent, I thought, but I worked so hard, you know. Again, I hate to be redundant, but when people tell you, you can't do this, you can't do that, you have to believe in yourself. And right, didn't you, did he, if I recall, if I don't remember this right then, just tell me, but didn't you have an older brother that used to, and then he used to beat up on you a little bit

growing up, and then that changed? He used to beat on me a lot. My brother, you know, Roger, he just, me, he hit me. I said, that's like crying. I cried all the time. but I go to my mom and say Deal hit me she said sweetheart punch him back

I punch him back and he took me to the boxing gym and I was introduced to boxing and I was doing this like this and I don't want to do this anymore but then again you know

it was God given I mean I believe in God no question about that and I pray every day, every single day. Even before a fight, I pray before a fight. And I don't pray to pray, no one gets hurt except for Brother Duran. Which he did write in the book. That is a lie in the book is like, I never want anybody get hurt.

I always prayed that nobody would get hurt except Roberto Duran. And it was like this great cliffhanger and that came back later. No, I hate that same. But we're friends now. So, Ray, do you, like, is there a time, do you remember when what it was like when Roger couldn't beat up on you anymore and now you were able to beat up on Roger? Like, is that, did that, is that something that you recall or it's not really something that was meant something to you?

Oh, no, no. Come up. Again, my brother, he was, I love my brother, but he used to just smack me upside of head. just because I was sitting there. You ever experience that, guys? And I mean, I cry. And I always go to my mom, always with my mother. And then one day, one year, one month, one, I just said,

I want to be a good boxer, a great boxer. And I love Muhammad Ali, and I love Joe Frazier. and I used to fight like Joe Frazier and then when I saw Joe Frazier fight Ali and I saw his him after the fight he was like punched up everything I saw I fight like Muhammad Ali

I said you didn't want your face to look like Joe Frazier you want your face to look like Muhammad Ali Yeah And my real name is Ray Charles Leonard My mother named after Ray Charles I can't sing I can't just me Well, in the shower, I can say.

That sounds good. But, no, I tell you, I try to be as humorous as I possibly can be because sometimes I take things too deeply. You know, and I don't know if that makes sense or not. But, you know, it's... Yeah. Again, I keep saying life is what you make it. And so, when you and team, do we have MJ, Tink,

do we have a couple clips ready or do you not? Amazing. So, is it okay if we, if we, step into a couple of different clips from your past. Is that okay? We show them on the screen. Well, the ones I won. Yes.

Yes. So, yes. We'll do that. So maybe let's go with either the Olympics. If we start with the Olympics, great. If not, maybe, Warfredo Benitez. Do we have that team? Thanks, Tink.

Great job. Let's start with the Olympics. Was that okay if we show the Olympics? Now I'm blind, so to me you look the same. Yeah. Yeah? By this Cuban fighter, I mean he can... Oh, that Cuban fighter gave down.

There can be no other way. We're counting down. 18 seconds, 17 seconds less than the fight. 16, 50, 14, Ray Lennon. With the right leg and the left, cleaning up, the Cuban is ready to go. There is three. Three Leonard, a close of a four-tharrow.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know what? You know what? You? You. You. You was Jerry down. I walked up here.

You think he can take you right? I'm serious. No, go. Come here. Come here. Come on. Holy sannie.

I didn't realize he was that tall. Nobody ever does. Yeah. But let me show you something. Yeah. Thank you. All right, funny. Thank you.

That is amazing. So, uh... Yes, Latch, you're okay, right? So, do you remember that guy? That guy in the Olympics? Do you remember him? Aldre Saddamas. Is that Cuban?

Okay, yes. That's what all those... No, I mean, do you remember the Sugar Ray Leonard or that guy that won the Olympics? Do you remember that guy? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Good. And how, how, how did that feel? Like, what were you feeling come out of winning the gold medal? Words can't describe the feeling of the Olympic gold medal. You know, it was so incredible. It was, it was just special, very competitive, and it just, it made me who I am today. that thought,

those way of thinking. Because whatever I do and get involved with, I'm so optimistic. The same thing with boxing. Life is a fight. Yeah. And you're telling me that the toughest person you've ever fought

may not have been some of the people who think. Like who is the toughest person? that you ever have a fight with? My wife. And so, yes. I'm serious.

I'm not hot? Yes, we do. Yes, we do. Yeah. So, I love you, bro. So we, and this is super fun.

So Ray's wife had set up some martial arts training, fighting with this amazing guy, Baxter. And Baxter tells a great story about it that he came and said, hey, like, what do you want to work on today? And Ray, yeah, do you want to share what you told Baxter you want to work? Because he was going to, you know, there's kicking, punching, there's all the things. No, I say, hey, man, I don't want to learn how to kick. I'm pretty good with my hands. Baxter, where are you, Baxter? That's my man Baxter.

Let's hear for Baxter. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So, yeah, so in 1976 Olympics, much like we discussed for some of the people have, I recently had the privilege of spending time with Mike Rizzioni from the 1980 Miracle on Ice Gold Medal hockey team. And first of all, he said his toughest fight was his wife, too. So that may be a thing. It's like talk to Saudi Akhanabat or something. I'm not sure.

But what also was true is that Ray was fighting against a professional as an amateur because the Cubans, like when Michael Ruzioni played hockey against the Soviets, they were professionals. So Ray was an amateur young man fighting against professionals, and this is why nobody thought the 1980 Miracle on Ice team was going to win the gold medal, and they did, and nobody thought the United States would ever have five gold medalists. So he's a group of, I think to this day,

the greatest U.S. boxing team in Olympic history as not only Ray won the gold medal, but four teammates won the gold medal, like just completely unprecedentedly insane. So I just want to make sure that that's clear. Let's here for that, by the way.

Thank you. Thank you for that. And then would it be okay if we showed a clip from when you fought Wilfredo Benitez. I think we have that. Is that okay with you? Did I win that? I think so.

Okay. I think so. I'm pretty sure because it's 19, hold on a sec, it's 1979. And I'm going to be a wee bloke, a Cub Scout. and we have our blue and gold dinner, and I fight and fight and fight and go from hello to yes with my mom,

that I could miss my blue and gold dinner, and I could be there watching somebody who is becoming a hero of mine that I saw as a six-year-old win the gold medal, and now I'm nine years old, and he is fighting, I believe it was on W-A-B-C, wide world of sports. He is fighting for the welterweight championship of the world, but he is fighting against a guy who I think was undefeated, Woffredo Benitez, who at 17 years old,

had become the youngest professional fighter to ever win the world heavyweight, sorry, a world championship in boxing. And this is who Sugar Red Lantern is going to fight against. And so people are like, that's going to be a pretty tough fight. So how are you feeling about going in to fight Woffredo Benitez? How was that for you? I was very optimistic, but I thought, I always think that way.

You know, you just have to believe in yourself. Because if you don't, no one else will. Amazing. All right. Tink, let's see what was going on in 1979. Invitable. Look at robbery leg, bodily, looking at the ground. It doesn't dilute the courage he's shown

for the skills he's shown. Maybe now they won't call Sugar Ray Leonard a hype. They're right in. He stopped the plate. Woo! Yeah. And you know what happens, folks? You heard Howard CoSell say it.

They call Sugar Ray Leonard hype. Because when you own yourself, when you talk about who and what you are, people say it's hype. But with this man, what was it? The truth. What was it? This man's the champ, and that's the truth.

And he just beat a man that was a champion of champions, and he dismantled him and became a champion. So it's here for Sugar Red Line and watch this. That's, okay, thank you. And, and, and, so, and Ray, you and, I think, you and Howard Coasell became friends. I mean, is that right? How did you want to tell us anything about Howard CoSell?

No, Howard was a dear friend of mine. And, I mean, respectfully, we spent a lot of time together, and we became friends. And, yes, it was special. Yeah. And at some point, late, we'll get that in a little bit. But is it okay? because I think it'll be, I think it'll help set up something else. Are you okay if we show a little bit from Montreal, or is that not okay?

Montreal, yes. Okay. So, uh, Juan then. Oh, but then was Montreal also Roberto Duran? Is that okay if we show anything from Duran 1? You'd rather not do that. I used to hate this. I'm sorry?

Just, you know, you know, that's on people you don't like. No, he, because he would, I mean, he would curse me, he would curse my wife. I mean, no, yes, he did. And I was like, and I was so angry, but he used experience to kind of get into my head. And I fought his fight. I fought his kind of style. Because normally I move around the ring and I, well, I utilize the ring and I slip and slide. But that time I was trying to just take him out right away.

it happened the other way. Yeah, but it was... Yeah, and so, so a lot of folks, again, like, no matter what you do, people are going to still say you're not real. So he's the champ, and now people are saying, well,

he can't beat Roberto Duran and, you know, Sugar Ray Leonard's not going to be able to fight, like Roberto Duran fights, like he's not a tough, he's not tough, he's just a boxer. And then what Ray is saying is that he got, he got influenced by Duran to fighting Duran's fight and standing

toe to toe and Sugar Ray Leonard fought an unbelievable fight and lost a very, very close decision that could have gone either way. But we're going to set up the punchline after this where they fought a second time. But let's see the first one real quick. Team, do we have that? All right, Tink, go ahead, please.

You sure you have it? Oh Leonard is flat-footed He did not come out to dance He wants to go toe to toe with him He's faking He's slowly cutting you see that Oh we took a heart

The Tons to trade with him Leonard wants to trade with him And Duran is willing to fly He's caught the letter And he feels it He's going on Leonard is in trouble Doesn't have to fight

15th row Here's the clock I can't believe it Six, I can't believe it. Four, Duran, six years won the fight. I can't believe it. It's over. He was a maniac.

Duran, what was the last? Yeah. So close decision doesn't win. And remember what Ray said, Roberto Duran, like, cursed his words. wife said the most vile, crazy things. Like, this was an act. I mean, this guy was a complete maniac saying terrible things. And, you know, I certainly read the book.

If you have not read Sugar Ray Leonard's autobiography, it is absolutely amazing. And it must read. It is on audible. I don't recommend books often. It is so powerful to go through the story. And it's read by, you know, Sugar Ray Leonard himself. So I highly recommend it. after

the fight you know what was what was that like for you after the Duran fight words can't really describe what I felt like because I knew I felt I fought the wrong fight

but he got because boxing is not just about punching guys it's about here it's about here it's about there and he he beat me more physically

I mean psychologically than he did physically and I learned a big lesson from there and then what happened it took place like I asked for a rematch and it was like less than six months which is unprecedented because normally fights of that significance

takes a couple years before it happens again and I did something to him I stuck my chin out and did this and hit with it. Yeah so so take take we got to We got, do we have, do we have Duran Leonard 2? We got that tank?

Yeah. Let's go. Let's hit it. Let's show that. Here we go. We've got a different pace establishing his movement in the early going, establishing his ability occasionally to work that job. Leonard has fought a totally different fight and not allowing Iran to fall him against the ropes every minute of every round. the way Durant did first time around.

Again, Octavio Mayeron of Mexico, the third man in the ring. No posturing this round by Leonard. I think people have underrated the physical strength of Sugar Ray Leonard. He is much stronger than his body appears. You see the time, the pace is slackened in this round. It would have had to, I think. that time it was Leonard who was holding Leonard keeps those hands

moving right there a good left a good right he is working Duran effectively and Duran must result keep pulling in

and he does he was so he was so mad let's here for Sugar Ray Leder so So I cried. I was so grateful when this happened. And my dad, who we rooted for all the same people in teams,

was rooting for Roberto Duran. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And so last night, I'm telling Ray this last night, he's like, let's call your dad. So we get my dad on 50. FaceTime last night, and Ray pulls his hat down over his head.

He's like, hey, Bobby. He's like, my dad's like, yeah? He's like, hey, Bobby. He goes, I want to fight you. And he pulls up, he pulls it up by back. And it was unbelievable. Like, thank you so much for that. Imagine be able to do that for your dad.

Like how crazy it is. So, Ray, like, thank you. Thank you for that. Right. I'm really good. And so, and so when the reason I'll give my perspective

then I'll ask his since he was there but my perspective is the reason that Roberto Duran quit they call it the no moss fight if you've heard of the no moss fight say yes so they call it the no moss fight no more because

Ray Roberto de Ranch had no answer so everything he was trying to do Sugar Ray Leonard was move I just saw the movement like he just couldn't do what he wanted to do and it was just he had Roberto Duran had no answer for Sugar Ray Leonard and Ray was in his head he was taunting him he was putting his chin out he was like bowel punchings doing all these things and Duran was getting anger and anger and more to the point he made this guy this stark raving

lunatic somebody called very significance driven very in the language I'll use the language that people used about a machismo like top level he made him quit front of the world walk away and just quit that's what this man did but with his the man that cursed his wife you know let's get up for that thank you thank you that for you no let's hear that for you what you did so and so and so and he made him quit, though, with his fists. He made him quit with his body, his feet is moving, and he made him quit with his mind and his influence. He was influencing him, influencing him, influencing him, by the way, with integrity. And the influence that Ray Leonard was bringing forward was,

you can't beat me, man. And I'm going to humiliate you. I'm going to embarrass you, and you're going to have more of it and more of it and more of it and more of it to the point that he quit. So he did. So at least that's my story. You were there. You did it. So please, Ray, like, what was that like for you? And what do you think, actually? What do you want the audience know about what happened? Well, words can't describe what took place that particular night.

And because Duran, you know, I mean, I used to hate that guy. I mean, I used to hate him. Because all of a sudden, and it just happened spontaneously. I mean, I was moving around. Nasty there. People start laughing and I started doing this and doing this and hitting with that one. And he was just so, it was just his mentality made him quit. He was so mad and so angry.

And I, because I was thinking he was laughing. I was shuffling and everything and doing this and everything. Stick my chin out and everything. It worked. I mean, I wouldn't always do that. I mean, I wouldn't do that with Tommy, against Tommy Hernds. But that's, that's a lot of. how it worked. Amazing.

Strange. And now, speaking of Tommy Hearns, do we have anything from that, Tink? Oh, wow. Amazing. I'm glad you brought Tommy Hurons up. Please. And, by the way, Tommy Hurons, we fought again the second time. Tommy deserved

to get the decision. I mean, it was called withdrawal, but Tommy deserved that. The win. He's here for integrity. I've yet to tell Tommy that Yeah Yeah

And you can tell Tommy that Don't tell me that and don't tell my dad that Because I thought my dad to this day about that So nobody tell my dad that sugar rail later It said that. Repeat that again I'm sorry? Repeat that?

You say what now? I said that my dad Please don't tell my dad That you think that Tommy Hurons won because I've thought against my dad to say that you won for my entire life. So I don't want my dad to win the argument. So please don't tell my dad. We're on the same page.

Yes. Thank you. So don't tell Tommy Hurons and don't tell my dad. Okay. So let's see it, Tink. I'm sorry. mind. Let's pause,

a tank. So that's Angela Dundee, who was training for Sugar Ray Leonard, but not the only one. He often came in later in the process, but he was in the corner, and he ran the corner. He was Muhammad Ali's trainer. Like, just

unbelievable, crazy. And in that moment, you heard him say, you're blown it, son, you're blown at son, because Sugar Ray Leonard was behind on points. This is the first time he fights Tommy Hurons. Now this is the next super fight of his life and his career, right? And Tommy Hurons is now people saying he's going to, that Sugar Ray Leonard can't beat Tommy Hurons. And Tommy Hurons is this massive, you know, puncher and they called him the hitman. And now

they're fighting and Sugar Ray Leonard, who remember everybody's saying as a boxer is a boxer, he's got to knock Tommy Hurons out. He doesn't knock out Tommy Hearns, Tommy Hurons is going to win. So Tink. It's coming on. He's a bull. Better take the better punch. seconds to go. Kenny Weller. I don't know. He's hitting on the break. She's doing everything.

Twelve seconds to go. Farns is in desperate trouble. The bell cannot save him if it goes down. That has counted enough down. He's letting time run out. His time is out. A big round round. Yes.

Now, do we take? Do we have the end or we do not? Mike, do we have the end? What, but? Okay. So then let's just get that and we'll come back to it. Do we have Marvin Hagler? That silence means no.

So, oh yeah. So, okay, Michael, just be getting the end of the Tommy Hurons fight when Sugar Red Linear knocks him out coming up and then we'll go Marvin Hagler first. But real quick for everybody. So what I think that represents for you is there's privilege windows. that open up and your influence. And what Sugar Ray Leonard did is he caused the moment of a window to open. And when that window opened, you're going to see it when we show the rest of the ending of the fight in the next round that he finishes.

And if you think what you just saw right there was bad for Tommy Hearns, wait till you see what happens in the ending of what he does to Tommy Hearns. Because the window open and this man finished. You got to finish. You got to finish in the causing of yes. And this man finished. Let's hear for that. Yeah, yeah. So, and Michael, just real quick, Michael, how long do you think

until we can show the clip of the ending of the next round? The knockout? Cool. Okay. So how do you, so when Angelo Dundee is saying, you're blowing it, kid, you know, you're blowing it, kid. What are you feeling and what do you, like, what? Are you even thinking in that moment?

Are you just focused? Like, what's it like to be in the 13th round? All these minutes, all these punches going back and forth. You know, what's that like, you know, please? That's the inner thing. When Agile said, he said the perfect words, perfect sense. You're blowing it, son. I mean, that was so simplified, but it was real.

And I knew I had to really get up and go for more. You know, it's an amazing thing, amazing feeling, especially in boxing. I mean, it's just one of those moments, those moments in your life that you have to, like, succeed, push forward. Yeah.

Who is the toughest fight that you ever have beside your wife? Actually, actually, in the ring. Who is the, what? I mean, I'm not a joke. It's not a joke now. So that's why I don't, I try to laugh, but I don't laugh. But no, my wife is tough. But who is the toughest in the ring opponent?

Like which fight? I tell you, I mean, they all had their thing. They were talent, their power. Like Robert, I mean, like Marvellous Marvin Haggley. He was ambidextrous. He was fast, powerful, strong, could punch. Tommy Hurons, tall, fast, power, Duran. I'm telling the truth.

And then Sugar Ray Leonard came back and beat Duran another time. So he won the No Moss fight, then he'd come back and beat him again later. But while we're working on getting the clip for the end of Tommy Hurons fight, we'll do Tommy Hurons first time, Robert Hagler, there's something that you shared at dinner last night with me, and I would never, you know, go to a place that anybody doesn't want to go to, because I just, you know, I don't think it's relevant unless they do. And for Ray, it's very relevant because he had some other challenges during his life that he powered back from amazingly and beautifully. So is there anything that you'd

like to share about some other, you know, challenges that you came back from? Well, I'm an alcoholic. I've been sober now for 18 years. You know, and you know, it's interesting that as much as I had achieved in the ring and I'm more happy, I wasn't totally happy. I was, you know, I was happy that I was able to take care of my parents and my siblings, my friends, my friends, just people in general and I helped

but all of a sudden my life was not fulfilled I was not totally happy and I went to drinking and again I'm kind of shy to a degree

but I when I drank I felt good I was like yeah and I can dance too when I was drunk I did tons of cocaine you know but you know what and uh because i heard my mother found out that was doing drugs and alcohol and i just cold took i just stuck doing cocaine i just stopped all the sudden the alcohol was a

different story because i was you know i'd go into a bar or whatever just take a cup of drinks always to kill you like who likes to kill them yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah you don't drink too many no just two a day no but I I tell you and I support

I support A that's what got me out I'll see for that yeah yeah yeah yeah

yeah yeah and you know from the book it sounded like at least from the book and we talked about

at dinner last night that maybe there was some people around you you had some people around you that loved you very much and wanted to protect you and help you. But it also sounded like sometimes there were people around you that wanted to use you and take from you.

And maybe that had something to do with some of this at least. You know, is that true, not true? What was, how did you deal with the people around you? Life is not perfect, period. And you know what? Sometimes you find out the hard way or the right way, but there's never really just a white way. But you know what?

It's within you. It's you. You can make your life better. And I tell you, like in the boxing ring, I went to distance. Life I'm one of those distances to. And I, you know what? I feel good and thank God for sure.

Awesome. Thank you. And then, Tank, do we have, or Michael, do we have the 7 Up commercial would you not? Let's see that. Let's see that for fun.

Really? Yeah. A long time ago. Yes. So this is Sugar Ray and Leonard transcends boxing. Please. Okay.

Feeling seven up. Oh, my. Cheers smiles. Feeling seven, love and having seven. No, that's just my dad. Thank you for that. Thank you for that. That is amazing.

That is amazing. That is amazing. And we have the blessing of having. And we had the blessing of having. having Sugar Ray Leonard Jr. on the heart of influence about a couple years ago when I shared that with Ray last night as well. And I mean, just make the sound of how that feels in your heart. Yeah. And that's what this man did. Transcendant to boxing. And he also was a great analyst, as I explained for boxing, and he was fun and funny and brilliant and witty, clear or precise.

and what I think also is a very true thing. Just so you guys know that most athletes, things don't end well for them financially. They're not appropriately taken care of and protected, but anything you want to say on it, Ray or not, but a lot of the names we've mentioned that Ray fought, they did not end up in a good place financially. They did not end up in a place.

where they were living in a secure, positive environment, and Ray won that game too. He won that battle, he won that fight, and he lost a beautiful life, and he has abundance and security and positive things, and so it's also here for that. Thank you. Thank you. And anything you want to say about that, Ray,

how did you, you know, a lot of guys, you know, ended up in really, really bad places, and you ended up in a really, really, really beautiful. beautiful place and anything that you attribute that to. Was there anybody who helped protect you or anything you want to share? Yeah. It just didn't happen. A friend of mine, James Morton, after the Olympics, he said,

you're going to turn, are you training pro? And I said, no, because I didn't want to turn pro. I was kind of through. I wanted to go to the University of Maryland. because I had a scholarship and further my education, get a good job, and, you know, help out to some degree from my parents. And when Jenks Morton said, Ray, you know, you can make some good money, I did that, and I laid it up, you know, I let him take care of everything, financially and everything. And he introduced me to a guy that Mike trainer, Mike trainer is my attorney, and God bless him. because he's along with us, but he took care of me big time.

He made me an independent boxer for the most part. And I just had good people around. I had just good people around me. Yeah. And all I had to do was get in our ring and take care of business. That's awesome. It happened so wonderful. And you said no to Don King, I think, is that right?

Oh, Don King. Yeah. I mean, you know, Don, he said, Ray, you know, you need to come with me. And as Don King is always known, he said, you don't need to know white people. No, he didn't say that. I'm like, I don't think about that. And I got it to go with Doug. But, you know, again, I feel so blessed, man.

I really did. again, I get somewhat over-emotional because I think from where I've come from how long I've been away and what I've dealt with and all the other things that came with this, I'm a blessed man.

You've been married, yeah, it's here. I'm a blessed man. And Ray's got a beautiful life. He's been married to for 32 years now, a beautiful marriage. And he loses the fights, but he loses, he loses the fights, but he wins the game of life in marriage.

So, how's that? Yeah, yeah. I mean, you guys are not old enough to know the singers, the platters, my wife. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're not old enough to know the platter. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Wait, Sugar Ray, her husband's parent, parent is, is, are you going to fight Sugar Ray soon? Like, what's happening here?

What's that? He was in, or Lance. Yeah, so he's going to be fighting the people in the front. So do we have Michael, do we have, do we have, do we have, yeah, the Hearns ending? Let's hit it. Tommy. Tommy still calls me. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Get them no rest. Hearns is in real trouble. He's in respect. Oh, great. All of them, what he's not doing. No.

Here's not the left. He's going to be living. Well, actually, actually he cooperated. No, that's a bad joke. And is it true that Tommy Hurton still calls you and wants to fight you still? yeah he can't Tommy calls me every few months great that's you and I go

I said Tommy have you looking in the mirror and he's not joking like that's like oh he's not joking oh he's not joking oh trust me yeah so then and this will be our last

piece of the the boxing part as we begin to round the bend with Mr. Sugareray Leonard So then there's this guy Marvin Hagler And he is in a heavier weight class than Sugar Ray Leonard For those that don't know that And everybody's like, this guy's unbeatable

So whatever Roberto Duran was, everybody's like, no, no, no, no, including my dad It's like, no, no, no, no, no. Sugar A. Leonard is going to get eaten alive by Marvin Hagler. This is going to be the greatest beat down in history So what was that like leading up to this fight where everybody and Sugar Red Linder had not fought? Five years. Five years. Like this big gap in his career is going on, right?

There's like one thing, little fight in between, he crushed somebody. So everybody's like, no, no, no, no, no, no way. So what was that like for you leading up to? And of course, we're going to show what happens. Well, I mean, again, I've been out of the ring for five years, no fights, had a partial detached retina I mean my my family cried every day I mean when I will see them so I'll stop seeing them but I trained for like a year and went out there and people believe they well they prayed I also say they believed in me but no

they pray for me. Even people closest to him. So he was in the boxing team at HBO with a guy named Larry Merchant. And even Larry Merchant was betting, was predicting that Sugar Ray Leonard was going to beat that Marvin Haggle was going to beat Sugar Ray Leonard.

The odds were three and a half to one against him. And Larry Merchant, I think, as you wrote in the book, came in the ring before the fight. and said, prove me wrong. And, you know, it was just this impossible. I pay $39. I have all my friends from high school over. They're all so sick and tired of me talking about how much I love Sugar Ray Leonard

to be annoying. They're rooting for Marvin Hagler. In my house, I bought the fight. They didn't give me any money. $39 is like all the money I had, like, you know, my draw in my room. And I got to give it to my parents. And now we're set. We got popcorn, we got pizza, and I'm like, F you, mother, Fers, Sugar Ray Leonard's going to win.

This is what's happening in 139, Vivian Avenue, Emerson, New Jersey, my parents' house, and we're getting ready to throw down in what is going to be their thinking, beat down on Sugar Ray Leonard, but I know differently, Ray. But are you trying to have me reimburse you? Yes, yes. Do you have, can I have the $39, please? I think you have it. Yes.

So, Darren, I want my $39. Yeah, okay. So are we ready? Are we ready, team? Here we go. Oppose himself on Ray and show who's boss. And if we don't have the decision at the end,

let's get the decision to. He had early on, they've vanished. Hagler has led him into this fight for it to put it in a more positive way, Ray Leonard has put himself into his fight. And now he's starting even to toy tagging. Why don't get out, watch the guy. Miling at him and just a thinnless name, come on.

And just getting angry. No question about it. But Ray, when you fly that, the guy, stop. Yeah, nail them. All right. Don't grab them on the shoulder. Okay. Don't grab them on the shoulders.

And then get out. Come on, work and get out. by a witness to take him and new. That was stellar. Let's stand up for that. Let's stand up for that. Thank you, thank you. Thank you.

Oh, thank you. Thank you. And F you, Chris Nickolich, Tom Fadico, Chris Tomickey, Roy, all of y'all, because that was sugar, Leonard doing what people said was impossible, but was not impossible. And yeah, let's hear it one more time for that.

Thank you. And anything else, right? Anything else, anything else that you want these people to know before we say thank you. Anything else that you want them to know as we part. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

I love you. God bless the champ. I love you. The champ. The champ. The champ. The champ. The champ.

The chef. The chef. The champs, the champ. The champ. Come on, back, damn. Yes, here for sure.