1 week Ago By Harvey Burton, Bloody Knockout
Sugar Ray Leonard defeated Marvin Hagler by a controversial split decision, but he retired years before after a fight left him with little confidence. In 1987 Sugar Ray Leonard defeated Marvin Hagler after a three-year layoff from boxing. The layoff came after one of Leonard ‘s performances, which he deemed so bad he was ready to quit the sport altogether.
Sugar Ray Leonard announced shock retirement after poor showing against Kevin Howard In 1982, Leonard announced his retirement after a third-round TKO of Brunce Finch. Leonard suffered a detached retina but retired after it was successfully operated on, suggesting his reason for retirement was a result of a lack of desire, rather than any health concern. He stuck to his retirement for two years before returning to face Kevin Howard in 1984.
Leonard won the fight via ninth-round stoppage, but not before being sent to the canvas in the fourth round, marking the first knockdown of his pro career. Following the win, many expected Leonard to call out Hagler, who became Marvellous after KOing Caveman Lee , but he did not. Instead, Leonard announced his retirement again and, according to BoxRec , stated: “There’s no sense in fooling myself or anyone else.
It’s just not there. I just can’t go on and humiliate myself. I fought with apprehension.
I had fear for my eyes. I had fear for my whole body. But now I am content.
I did try.” Leonard retired for three more years before returning to face Hagler. He announced that he was going back into retirement after his win, though hinted that he likely wouldn’t remain there: “I told you guys some time ago I was going to try to retire [.
..] I tried.
It didn’t work.” Sugar Ray Leonard was knocked out after six-year layoff following penultimate retirement Leonard lost for the second time in 1991, with his only other loss at that point coming from Roberto Duran, who Leonard beat in their rematch. The 1991 loss came to Terry Norris, who beat Leonard by unanimous decision.
Norris was younger and quicker, and, according to BoxRec , Leonard said after the fight: “I knew I didn’t have it when I entered the ring.” Leonard stopped boxing for six years, though eventually returned one last time against Hector Camacho at the age of 40. Camacho retired Leonard, and Duran years later.
Though Leonard returned to plan more fights, none materialized and the Camacho loss would prove to be his last. This article first appeared on Bloody Knockout and was syndicated with permission..
