In the 1970s, when most kids were busy riding their bikes around the block or playing with action figures, newborn Ray Leonard Jr. was living a life most people could only dream of. He appeared in TV commercials, rubbed shoulders with major league stars, and even had a Nintendo video game officially tested and endorsed by him. And all of this happened at the age of just eight.

The son of pound-for-pound great ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard saw so much at such a newborn age in a life filled with ups and downs. He was born in 1973; his dad was just 16 and his mom was 15. Three years later, Leonard Sr. won Olympic gold in the welterweight division in Montreal. As his dad’s star rose, the newborn boy from North Carolina’s life was about to change dramatically.

“I was an integral part of marketing, promotion and what my father wanted to become,” Leonard Jr. said. “The fact that he had my picture on his sock when he boxed got a lot of attention. It was part of the program. I got engaged early. When he came back from the Olympics, there was a picture of us both with the gold medal. That went everywhere.”

After his Olympic success, Leonard Sr. naturally entered the professional ranks with gusto, sweeping away all that came before him. After only three years in the paid ranks, he faced Roberto Duran for the first time, an infamous fight. This was the first fight Leonard Jr. did not take.

“I’ve been going to every fight so far [27 up to that point]. It was of course the first fight he lost. I blamed myself for that defeat and thought I was his talisman,” recalled the younger Leonard.

“When he didn’t win, it was a really large deal and almost increased the fame. That was when we did the 7-Up commercial. That put me on the map in the world media. It was a journey that we both went on.”

Of course, the legendary rematch ensued, with a confused and frustrated Duran forced to surrender.

“Being there for the second time for the Duran ‘No Mas’ fight, which happened to be around my birthday, was special. To see him reclaim his glory. Because I suffered when he lost to Duran the first time.”

But it was not the nightmares about his father’s enemy that caused him torment.

“We went to Hawaii [after Duran I] on vacation, and my father interrupted it because he wanted to get back to training. I was pissed off about the vacation, and it was my first time in Hawaii. But of course it was worth it. Duran II is an unreal memory and total redemption.”

Flying around the world became something Leonard Jr. got used to, but at first he didn’t see it as something that set him apart from others. As he got older, however, he began to realize the extent to which his life was not that of an average kid.

“Before I could think about it, I met the Queen of England and Nelson Mandela. I got to sit in first class and ride next to Mike Tyson after his large fights. It was amazing. It was stressful,” he recalled.

“But I didn’t really see anything out of the ordinary because that was all I knew. But then I realized my friends’ dads weren’t flying around on private jets or getting all this attention when they went to the mall. I tuned in to what was going on.

“When we started getting media attention because of our global success, we had to move out of the area. I always came back with my aunts, uncles and cousins ​​and spent time with them, but we couldn’t live there.”

At this point, the biggest challenge, as for any child, was how little he saw of his star father.

“My time with my father was when we did events. We were on TV together, and then I didn’t see him for a long time because of the sacrifices he made to be great. You have to give up something, and sometimes it’s family. I spent a lot of time alone.”

Then came the challenge of everyone knowing who he was.

“That was the Hagler fight when I was most emotional. It was, of course, a fight of the times. I was a little older; I was getting all the yelling and the craziness from the kids at school. Everyone was saying Hagler was going to beat my dad to death.

“I was playing basketball in school and all the kids were yelling, ‘Hagler, Hagler.’ I came back to school right after the fight with my chest up and said, ‘Yeah, my dad did the impossible.’ I actually sat back down in the locker room for that fight, I was too nervous. Me and Mike Trainer [Leonard’s adviser] “assessed the fight in the locker room.”

Leonard Jr. is keen to point out that while having one of the most eminent surnames in America in the 1970s was by no means uncomplicated, it did come with its own set of perks.

“It’s a double-edged sword. There’s an expectation that comes with having a name that carries greatness, but also people want to come to you because they think you have a silver spoon in your mouth. And then there are people who are opportunistic because of your name. I still can’t get away from that.

“I avoided it for a long time because I wanted to create my own path, but the truth is it’s a blessing and a burden. It definitely helped me get into clubs when I was older!”

His father’s career was essentially over when Jr was 19, and there were many reasons why he didn’t pursue the career that brought his family such an embarrassment of riches. In fact, that’s the main reason he didn’t.

“I felt pressure to box from the outside, but not from my father or family. Boxing is a sport where you have to be 100 percent committed, whether you’re a champion or a journeyman,” Leonard Jr. said.

“Boxing is often for people with economic problems and it acts as a way out. From a family perspective, I love the sport, I love the training, but I didn’t have the same desire. I did amateur boxing when I was younger and I boxed with celebrities, but it wasn’t for me.”

Leonard Jr. decided to forge his own path, refusing to rest on his laurels and knowing that he had become part of a multi-million dollar family.

“When I discovered team sports like football and track and field, I quickly grew,” he said. “I think spending so much time alone when I was younger was part of my love for team sports. I thought it was a better path for me, academically as well.

“As a result, team sports felt like a family sport. I was around other people, which meant I didn’t have to be the center of attention. I really enjoyed that family atmosphere. Football was sacred to me.”

It would be fair to say that he inherited his father’s athletic talent. He plays two sports: American football and track and field, although he will soon begin to downplay this.

“I did pretty well, but it’s tough to follow in the footsteps of a guy who won an Olympic gold medal and six world titles in five different weight classes!”

It was during Leonard Jr.’s football days that his father tried to get back into the game. “I tried out for the Arizona Cardinals back then, but it didn’t go well against Hector Camacho [Leonard lost in the fifth round in his final fight]. In that last fight, I was able to run into the ring, catch him and hold him. I was there with him at the beginning and the end and I always thought how special that was. Being a part of the “Four Kings” family in sports history was just a ride that most people only dream of.

Importantly for Leonard Junior, his father’s success became the inspiration and motivation to follow the path of success he enjoys to this day.

“As a newborn African-American male, I didn’t think I could be involved in the financial world. Or have investments or anything like that. But watching my dad succeed shaped who I am today and what I do. And I’m having those conversations with my kids now. It’s about creating a financial legacy, not just a eminent legacy.

“We’ve seen so many times in boxing that their successes are fleeting, and then they’re signing autographs at Caesars Palace when they’re 75. They’re trying to make sure they have something to put in the pot.

“My dad, first and foremost, wanted to be a great boxer. But one thing he always told me, which came from Muhammad Ali, was, ‘Always sign your own checks.’

This has been with Leonard Junior since his early years.

“If you have the opportunity to become a household name and be conscious of your marketing, you should do it. We did 15 TV commercials; I had a video game named after me, Ring King, with Nintendo. That was the coolest thing when I was a kid.

“Even though we’ve had our ups and downs and tough times, it’s been a pretty chilly journey. You asked me earlier what it was like, and I’ll sum it up in one word: surreal.”

Ray Leonard Jr. is the founder and CEO of Ovationz.com, as well as an internationally acclaimed public speaker, actor, award-winning business executive, and podcast host.

By Daniele D’Alessio

FOR some professional boxers, hanging up their gloves is one of the hardest decisions of their lives. The adrenaline rush of battling an opponent under vivid lights while the crowd cheers is addictive.

It’s something that can’t be replicated in the mundane life of a civilian. The mano-a-mano fight is the pinnacle of masculinity. It’s a form of competition that dates back to Roman times, where leather was replaced with acute metal.

Fortunately, civilization has put an end to the fatalities associated with such fights. But that doesn’t mean there are no risks when you decide to enter the squared circle. The more punishment you take, the more likely you are to have stern problems later in life.

It’s fascinating to see people who have achieved great things in the sport and yet can’t quit. It’s like boxing is all they know and without the sweet science they’re just a watered down version of themselves.

One boxer who has experienced more than most is David Rajuili. The South African has fought in his home country, as well as in Holland, Slovenia, France, Germany and Denmark, and has also won the African lightweight title. However, Rajuili has suffered four defeats in his last four fights. And at 35, no one would blame the fighter for retiring.

“I submitted my resignation to the fighting gods and they sent it back,” Rajuili said. .

“My family and I still feel like I have a lot of fight left in me. I’m a substantial dreamer. I take advantage of opportunities when they come my way. I fight for what I believe in. I said I would stop, but now I’m back. The calls keep coming.

“I’m a fighter. I’m the guy on the road from South Africa. I’ve been fighting since I was eight and I still do. The best part is I have my family with me. My son and daughter are with me in training camp. And they’re going to take me to the fight in Denmark.”

On October 5, Rajuili will once again enter the lion’s den when he faces undefeated homegrown fighter Elias Idrissi. Idrissi is 21 years elderly and has a record of five wins, three of which are by knockout.

“It’s always very nice to be called back and get back in the ring. I got the call because of the demand from people in Denmark and from the promoter TK Promotions. I gave them a good fight with Anthony Yigit. Many people thought it was a draw or went in my favor. It was a close fight and I won the hearts of the fans.

“Also, headlining an event in Europe. That in itself is a huge achievement considering I’m from South Africa and I’m going to do everything in my power to headline one of the biggest events this year in Denmark. I’m very excited.”

Rajuili was brutally knocked out in his last fight by another adolescent prospect, Alaa Al Mahmoud, who landed a nasty body blow in the second round. The South African was fighting at the highest weight of his career, 148 pounds, against the naturally larger Al Mahmoud.

After receiving such a punishment, Rajuili’s closest circle expressed concerns about his future health. But like a gladiator in the Colosseum, he refuses to surrender.

Rajuili continued: “I hear that a lot. One of my coaches, Dominic, still helps me. But he also begs me, ‘Please, you know it’s time to hang up the gloves.’ I tell people the time will come. It’s a journey I’m on. It’s my journey and my story.

“I’m so grateful that people have these concerns. It’s better to have people who care than people who don’t. I feel blessed to have these voices.

“But I’m not here looking for fights or knocking on doors. I’ve worked very demanding to get to this point where the phone is ringing and promoters are calling me. I’m going to ride that wave as best and as safely as I can. I’m going to train demanding. I know what I have to do.”

Rajuili admits that he is a journeyman at this point in his career. However, he still aims to pull off a substantial upset in every fight so that he can fight on bigger and bigger platforms around the world.

“I’m candid with myself. I’m 35, I’ll be 36 in February. These guys I’m fighting are 21 and 20. The promoters are candid with me. They tell me, ‘You’ve got to test my guys.’ I’m not just fighting a boxer. I’m fighting a lot of other things, too.

“If it makes sense and the money is right, I’ll keep fighting because I’m making good money for six and eight rounds. For me, it’s about fighting to pull a surprise. If I pull a surprise, I’ll just get called for a bigger fight. That’s the truth.

“I never started boxing thinking I would become a world champion. It was never my dream. Strenuous work got me the WBF titles. Now the biggest achievement for me in the boxing world would be to fight in the Riyadh season.”

It’s simple to look at a fighter’s record and criticize their shortcomings. But the reality is that many professional boxers will spend their entire careers fighting in miniature indoor shows, making little or no money from the sport.

Rajuili is an example of a fighter who, despite challenging experiences, still provides a good life for his family through boxing.

“As a little kid, when I was running in South Africa, I dreamed of fighting in substantial events here. Being ready to facilitate my family when they watch me fight really motivates me. Even when my daughter sees me and I’m not fighting, she reminds me that I’m a fighter.

“Everyone has a dream in this world. You can achieve your dreams by working demanding and just believing and not losing faith. No matter where you are, no matter what the circumstances are, just pushing through.

“These are the things I will teach my children and the people around me. I think that is what my support from South Africa brings. People see that we, South Africans, never give up, we keep going, no matter the obstacles or the journey.”

5. Bogdan Dinu

Fresh off the heels of his first career loss to Joe Joyce in November 2020, Dubois returned under the tutelage of fresh trainer Shane McGuigan for a fight with Bogdan Dinu the following June.

Though Dinu was a marginal fighter at best, he took heavyweight contenders Jarrell Miller and Kubrat Pulev to four and seven rounds, respectively, in his only two losses to date.

Still, the Romanian was seen as a sure-fire opponent to rebuild Dubois’ lineup, and he did, with Dubois landing a powerful right hook 31 seconds into the second round, sending Dinu to the ground and firmly securing Dubois’ return to winning ways.

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4.Kevin Lerena

While it wasn’t the cleanest knockout on the list, Dubois’ third-round TKO victory over Kevin Lerena in the fight preceding Tyson Fury’s third fight with Derek Chisora ​​will certainly be demanding to beat when it comes to drama.

After a wild opening that saw Dubois downed three times, the Londoner managed to claw his way out of the abyss in incredibly brave – and brutal – fashion, safely making it through the second round before flooring Lerena with a powerful right hook with 44 seconds remaining in the third.

Dubois finished the fight in merciless fashion, hitting Lerena with a powerful right hook that snapped his head back and hit the ropes, forcing referee Howard Foster to intervene to end the third round.

This dramatic victory, won in a complex situation, was (and arguably still is) the most crucial of Dubois’ career.

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3. Trevor Bryan

Dubois traveled to Miami in June 2022 to challenge undefeated American Trevor Bryan, then holder of the little-valued WBA Regular title and Don King’s newest hope in the heavyweight division.

Despite being the defending champion, Bryan seemed more focused on avoiding damage than trying to win the fight. Three fairly tough rounds proved to be Dubois’s advantage, but he didn’t sustain any major damage.

However, things changed in the fourth round when Dubois landed a low left hook that momentarily knocked Bryan out of action, sending the Modern Yorker face down on the mat before he boldly (and unsuccessfully) attempted to beat the count.

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2. AJ Carter

Second on the list is Dubois’ early career, when the 20-year-old took on Brixton’s AJ Carter for the Southern Area heavyweight title.

The fight, as expected, was a mismatch, with Dubois scoring two knockdowns in the first thirty seconds of the first round, both via right hands, before closing the show in merciless fashion moments later.

Carter, still clearly feeling the effects of two previous knockdowns, was given the improbable nod by referee Lee Cook to continue, prompting Dubois to finish the fight with another howitzer right hook that knocked Carter to the canvas and sent him facedown on the ground.

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1. Kyotaro Fujimoto

Dubois narrowly missed out on knocking out Carter, and won by second-round knockout, this time over unknown Japanese outsider Kyotaro Fujimoto in December 2019.

Although Fujimoto boasted an impressive 21-1 (13 KO) record, it became clear during public training that he might not prove to be Dubois’ toughest opponent. After a visit to Winter Wonderland and a scorching dog, Fujimoto found himself in the unenviable position of being in the opposite corner of Hackney’s Copper Box Arena, where what turned out to be the most brutal KO of Dubois’ career occurred.

After being knocked down with a jab early in the second round, Dubois followed up with a powerful right hook that sent Fujimoto crashing to the floor.

Unlike Carter, Fujimoto fell on his back, and the camera captured a terrifying shot of his misty eyes, staring blankly into the distance…