“Sign your own checks,” Sugar Ray Leonard reveals advise from IDOL Muhammad Ali before turning professional

Muhammad Ali's sage advice to Sugar Ray Leonard highlights the importance of financial independence and strategic partnerships in the professional boxing world.

“Sign your own checks,” Sugar Ray Leonard reveals advise from IDOL Muhammad Ali before turning professional

Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard (Image via: Instagram)

Muhammad Ali is a role model for many of the boxers who came after him. Fans and fighters still revere Ali as the greatest boxer ever for his contributions inside and outside the ring. Mike Tyson and Sugar Ray Leonard are lifelong fans of Ali. Both have always spoken very highly of the former three-time boxing heavyweight champion.

Leonard recently appeared on Undeniable with Joe Buck and had a story to share about Ali. It was about the advice Ali gave him before he turned pro. This is what Leonard revealed about it.

Muhammad Ali, my idol, my friend, he said to me, he said, 'listen, you have to turn pro.' He says 'make sure you sign your own checks.' He says, 'and make sure you take care of yourself from a business perspective. And also, make sure you take Angelo Dundee with you, his trainer. He said he has the right connection and the right complexion.'
Sugar Ray Leonard via Undeniable with Joe Buck
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The advice he got from Ali was when he accompanied Don King to see a boxing match that featured Muhammad Ali. Leonard followed Ali’s advice to the fullest as he was among the first Black boxers who were financially well off even after the end of his boxing career.

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Leonard was among the four fighters who popularized boxing in the 80s. The other three were Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran. The four boxed amongst each other multiple times, with Leonard having the best record among the four.

Sugar Ray Leonard talks his first fight with Roberto Duran

Sugar Ray Leonard fought Roberto Duran thrice, Thomas Hearns twice, and Marvin Hagler once in the 1980s. However, only Duran was able to defeat Leonard. Leonard spoke of what transpired before, after, and during the fight that he lost to Duran on Undeniable with Joe Buck.

Sugar Ray Leonard facing off with Roberto Duran
Sugar Ray Leonard facing off with Roberto Duran (Image via: X)

Leonard revealed that Duran was scarier than Mike Tyson, preluding their first fight. Duran trash-talked Leonard and even talked trash about his then-wife Juanita Wilkinson. He also stated that he even feared that Duran could cause physical harm before the fight. Moreover, during the fight, Leonard felt Duran’s power. Duran’s nickname is ‘Manos de Piedra,’ which translates to ‘Hands of Stone‘ in English. Leonard revealed that he understood why Duran has the nickname.

Leonard went on to say that he knew that he had lost the fight when it finished. Moreover, he also revealed that both his wife and mother, who were in the audience, fainted during the fight. This was due to them seeing Leonard take excessive damage from Duran.

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