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"The intelligence and self-reflection that helped Sugar Ray become one of the greatest fighters of his generation have also stood him in good stead outside the arena."
-"The Boston Globe"
-"The Boston Globe"
Book Description
A brutally honest and inspiring story of one of the greatest legends in boxing.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For anyone growing up in the late seventies and early eighties they will remember four names from boxing: Duran, Hagler, Hearns and Leonard. The late George Kimball's excellent book `Four Kings' covered this era and looked at the four fighters, yet here is a book written by one of those members of that elite club: Sugar Ray Leonard.
He first captured the public's imagination by winning a Gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. A few years after turning professional he won the World welterweight title from Wilfred Benitez and then between defences and comebacks fought the premium pound for pound best of his day: Duran, Hearns and Hagler in some of the most exciting and eagerly anticipated contests of the last half century.
Sugar Ray Leonard was big box office and on the outside seemed to have it all: money, fame, respect, a loving family and a lasting legacy in the Parthenon of All Time Greats. Yet this heartfelt autobiography reveals a much darker and far more complicated story than that.
I grew up believing the hype which the media presented: Sugar Ray Leonard the `Golden Boy' of boxing, the natural successor to Muhammad Ali (with Ali's legendary trainer Angelo Dundee in his corner), with his charm, winning smile and intelligence he appeared to have it all.
For the first time Leonard puts the record straight and a whole new story emerges as well as a more flawed and human Sugar Ray.
As I read this my jaw kept dropping as the revelations mounted. I will not reveal them here as you should read the book yourself but let's just say he did not have it easy!
Very early in life his trust was betrayed by those who should have had his interests at the forefront. He was dogged with hand trouble (a fighter's most important tools) as far back as his amateur career and this was one of the main reasons he announced his retirement after winning the Gold medal.
Some of the episodes here are familiar and Leonard is not alone as a sports star who has delved into alcohol, drugs and groupies, yet it is his searing honesty that impresses. This is no vanity project, rather it reads like a public exorcism as he rids himself of all his demons of the past and attempts to come to terms with what has made him the person he is. The answers may shock some fans of his.
I count myself as a fan of Leonard and believe he has been incredibly brave here. He could have easily written a straightforward account of his ring career and cherry picked episodes from his life to put him in the best light. Instead he shows us everything, even the most ugly episodes and heartbreaking moments and believe me he has had more than his fair share.
I went into this recalling the superstar of my youth, the media creation, the Hollywood version if you like. By the book's end I felt I had been granted access to a much murkier world where the main character had been through heaven and hell. This is a raw, engrossing and powerful account of the truth behind the myth and I recommend this to everyone who enjoys autobiographies whether they are a boxing fan or not.
He first captured the public's imagination by winning a Gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. A few years after turning professional he won the World welterweight title from Wilfred Benitez and then between defences and comebacks fought the premium pound for pound best of his day: Duran, Hearns and Hagler in some of the most exciting and eagerly anticipated contests of the last half century.
Sugar Ray Leonard was big box office and on the outside seemed to have it all: money, fame, respect, a loving family and a lasting legacy in the Parthenon of All Time Greats. Yet this heartfelt autobiography reveals a much darker and far more complicated story than that.
I grew up believing the hype which the media presented: Sugar Ray Leonard the `Golden Boy' of boxing, the natural successor to Muhammad Ali (with Ali's legendary trainer Angelo Dundee in his corner), with his charm, winning smile and intelligence he appeared to have it all.
For the first time Leonard puts the record straight and a whole new story emerges as well as a more flawed and human Sugar Ray.
As I read this my jaw kept dropping as the revelations mounted. I will not reveal them here as you should read the book yourself but let's just say he did not have it easy!
Very early in life his trust was betrayed by those who should have had his interests at the forefront. He was dogged with hand trouble (a fighter's most important tools) as far back as his amateur career and this was one of the main reasons he announced his retirement after winning the Gold medal.
Some of the episodes here are familiar and Leonard is not alone as a sports star who has delved into alcohol, drugs and groupies, yet it is his searing honesty that impresses. This is no vanity project, rather it reads like a public exorcism as he rids himself of all his demons of the past and attempts to come to terms with what has made him the person he is. The answers may shock some fans of his.
I count myself as a fan of Leonard and believe he has been incredibly brave here. He could have easily written a straightforward account of his ring career and cherry picked episodes from his life to put him in the best light. Instead he shows us everything, even the most ugly episodes and heartbreaking moments and believe me he has had more than his fair share.
I went into this recalling the superstar of my youth, the media creation, the Hollywood version if you like. By the book's end I felt I had been granted access to a much murkier world where the main character had been through heaven and hell. This is a raw, engrossing and powerful account of the truth behind the myth and I recommend this to everyone who enjoys autobiographies whether they are a boxing fan or not.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Just to supplement Mr Canns' spot on review also read Steve Marantz's "Sorcery at Caesars", just concerned with the Hagler fight & both combatants. Both books share the revelations of Rays' dark side, a real shocker to fans & an illustration of how good the PR machine is/was.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
THIS BOOK ARRIVED QUICKLY AND IS A GOOD BOOK BUT HAVING TAKEN THIS BOOK ON HOLIDAY TO READ THE PAGES FELL OUT? BINDING REALLY POOR
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
not yet read the big fight by sugar ray leonard
have not been able to read this book (the big fight by sugar ray leanard) as there appears to be a fault in transmitting it to my kindle. Read more
Published 25 days ago by philip b
Read this book in a day!
Read this book in a day ! Just couldn't put it down, highly recommended to both boxing fans and anyone just looking for a really gripping autobiography.
Published 27 days ago by Kay Parker M. Parker
True story of a boxing great
This book is an honest and true account of Sugar Ray Leonard's life. As you read on you can tell it is him and not a ghost writing it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Roy, Liverpool
Sugar Ray's story
No holds barred account of his life from the great Sugar Ray.
I thought some of the early parts of the book were a bit feeling sorry for himself, but as it progressed, I have... Read more
I thought some of the early parts of the book were a bit feeling sorry for himself, but as it progressed, I have... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Duncan Robertson
Also 'Non delivery'
As with 2 other reviewers - I pre-ordered, still no delivery, just a useless note saying to go to a Mobipocket Forum.
What's going on with this Amazon? Read more
What's going on with this Amazon? Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jim K
Non Delivery ???
I received a message that the book was delivered to my Kindle but an error had occurred while attempting to provide me with the book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Duncan
book
very good value and a very good read well worth the price to see the hardship he endured when he was growing up and how poor his family was
Published 1 month ago by Mr. D. N. Maddrell
Sugar Ray - boxing great
A facinating insight into the life of one of the best boxers the planet has ever producded. He was a giant in the ring and he is honest enought to admit he was far from that... Read more
Published 1 month ago by N Compton
Great
Fantastic read. Leonard's career is already well documented but this goes in to the background of each stage of his career and gives a great insight in to what was going on in his... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. S. R. King
sugar ray leonard-the big fight
this book is an excellent read it has been written with complete honesty warts and all of the great mans life in and out of the ring i would reccommend it to you enjoy it i did
Published 1 month ago by R. Reeves
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