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" 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. "

Sugar Ray Leonard

Home

College

Money

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" Success is attaining your dream while helping others to benefit from that dream materializing. "

" 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. "

" I'm not religious, but I believe that what I have is a gift, and I respect it and live up to it. "

" 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. "

" I wanted to be like Bruce Jenner. "

Sugar Ray Leonard

Bruce

Wanted

" 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. "

" 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. "

" Before I fight, I always pray that no one gets hurt. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" Before the start of the '76 Olympics, I'd had 160 amateur fights. I won 155 and lost five. "

" 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. "

" I fought tall fighters, short fighters, strong fighters, slow fighters, sluggers and boxers. It was either learn or get knocked off. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" To be the best, you need to spend hours and hours and hours running, hitting the speed bag, lifting weights and focusing on training. "

" Ali's belief in himself was something I picked up on, and it's become my own philosophy. "

" When I turned pro, Muhammad Ali was laying back, and I was able to fill up an area that was empty. "

Sugar Ray Leonard

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad

" Sugar Ray Robinson was probably the greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time. "

" The time to stop is when the other guy hits you more than you hit him. "

" I'm a free agent. I haven't allowed any promoters to have exclusive options on my fight. I don't need a promoter. "

" 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. "

Sugar Ray Leonard

Proud

Man

" I enjoy the school run and being a dad. Boxing will always be with me. I like that. "

" When I'm not in training. I'll walk around the streets at 153, but it's not solid; it's my socializing weight. "

" I've never believed in tying myself up in a long-range contract, and I've been very outspoken on that subject. "

Sugar Ray Leonard

Myself

Never

" It's hard to talk about yourself. "

" 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. "