Sugar Ray Leonard Speaks About Aging

by Waldo Rastel on Jan 10, 2012 2:15 AM EST in Boxing News Analysis

Sugar Ray Leonard gave a recent interview that might come under some scrutiny. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

I have always liked Sugar Ray Leonard whenever he has made media appearances. I loved when he was featured as a boxing advisor for both The Fighter and Real Steel. I appreciated that he gave his all on the dancing show Dancing with the Stars. Heck, I truly enjoyed his appearance on the Colbert Report. All of that is just to show my high opinion of Sugar Ray Leonard. That being said, he sounds quite conceited in this interview with Laura Hambleton of the Washington Post. In the beginning of the interview Laura asks Sugar Ray about when he noticed that he was losing his physical gifts.

"I talk about that all the time, to young, up-and-coming athletes. I felt that way when I turned 40, because I was not as focused. I didn't have the same commitment that I had when I was in my 20s or maybe 30s. I was preoccupied with other things instead of what I call tunnel vision. Tunnel vision is total focus. It's like looking through the tunnel, you see straight ahead, and you're not distracted or deterred. I was at my best when I had tunnel vision."

It later comes out that "losing tunnel vision" is equivalent to deterioration from abusing drugs and alcohol. I know that Sugar Ray is doing a bunch of motivational speaking but come on. You make it sound like it was a slight mental issue whereas it was a serious addiction that stole your physical gifts. He should really be focusing on the fact that drugs and alcohol are serious addictions, instead of trying to play it off as a mental issue. When he's further prodded about why he lost this tunnel vision Sugar Ray proceeds to blame his kids and family.

"I was at a point in my life, at the time, that I allowed myself distractions, whether that was because of my marriage, about being with my kids, a bad deal, all those things are factors."

I'm guess this is referring to the abusive relationship that Sugar Ray had with his wife after he retired. Still, it really doesn't sound good, and I can see if someone would think that Sugar Ray was blaming his family for the deterioration of his boxing skills. Hopefully, this is just me being paranoid but I really don't like this interview. What do you guys think of this interview?

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Well i think he sounds genuine in his answer. The truth is that Sugar Ray can’t relate to us. Or us to him. He was a supreme athlete with skills very few possess in any sport. I think that for him drugs may have been more recreational. I have to take his word and not pass judgement. He’s been through alot and I’m glad he is always willing to open up and answer these kind of questions.

by RRod806 on Jan 10, 2012 8:44 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Seemed OK to me. He doesn’t deny anything.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Jan 10, 2012 10:37 AM EST reply actions

Ray Leonard is a bit of a con artist

in and out of the ring.

by Lee Payton on Jan 10, 2012 10:40 AM EST reply actions

no take it back he’s a hero and a saint and so much better than mere mortals.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Jan 10, 2012 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

i’m outraged.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Jan 10, 2012 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

I believe him

I dont see how Ray Leonard is being conceited. It just sounds like he’s giving his honest opinion. I’m sure at one point and time boxing was his only life and motivation. But he accomplished so much so fast, and he was the darling of the boxing world for a long time. (Similar to Dela Hoya) And as I remember, Dela Hoya was also sidetracked in his career, with singing, drugs, and just being a star. I also believe that if Dela Hoya would’ve stayed focused on boxing that he can still be fighting at a high level right now. (Bernard Hopkins type of focus).

So yeah, I believe every word he said

"Winning is Everything"
Failure is not an Option

If you're not first, you're last

by Zfan on Jan 10, 2012 11:00 AM EST reply actions

I’m not sure I understand your argument Waldo. Are you saying that he should’ve said drugs and alcoholism instead of “distractions”? Meaning, not using euphemisms? I mean, sure yeah, he could be more direct, but I rarely expect that from public figures. It just sounds like a lot of hygienic language to me.

"He's still a very strong fighter, but I am way better than he is" - Miguel Cotto

by Apprentice on Jan 10, 2012 1:06 PM EST reply actions

I’ve seen other interviews where he’s pretty straight forward about it. I saw one where he admitted he was on cocaine at his first retirement gala (the one where he famously infuriated Hagler by telling him their fight would “never happen”).

by Sammlung on Jan 10, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

Just seems that he is blaming his family for his deterioration rather than his own personal demons.

"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi

by Waldo Rastel on Jan 10, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think he meant it that way. I didn’t take it that way. I think it’s more complex than blaming them, just remarking that if you spend time in one place, you’ll spend less time in another, which is just only true.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Jan 10, 2012 5:58 PM EST up reply actions