No athlete can escape the relentless passage of time. Anyone who lacks the clarity to retire at the right moment is destined to see their performance gradually decline or suddenly collapse. Sugar Ray Leonard is just one of countless boxers who wrote the history of the Sweet Science, only to experience a sorrowful exit from the sport. It was exactly 34 years ago that the American superstar realized his decline had arrived when his attempt to reclaim a world title was shattered by the fists of the young and ambitious Terry Norris. Today, we look back on that famous passing of the torch, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York on February 9, 1991.
The Man of a Thousand Comebacks, Still Hoping to Amaze
Leonard had accustomed both himself and the world to his pattern of announcing retirement, staying away from the ring for extended periods, and then returning victoriously. His first exit came in 1982 due to a detached retina, followed by a triumphant comeback against Kevin Howard 27 months later.
However, after suffering the first knockdown of his career and struggling against a relatively unremarkable opponent, Sugar announced his retirement for a second time—only to change his mind three years later, challenging middleweight king Marvin Hagler and securing a historic victory.
Another retirement followed, then another return 19 months later, when he claimed both the super middleweight and light heavyweight world titles from Donny Lalonde. So when the former Olympic gold medalist from Montreal announced yet another comeback in 1991—after more than a year of inactivity—few were surprised.
On the contrary, his past successes led many to believe that despite being well over 34 years old, inactive, and stepping back into a division (super welterweight) he hadn’t fought in for nearly seven years, Leonard could once again achieve something extraordinary. Not surprisingly, the bookmakers saw him as the clear favorite.
The Strengths and the Weaknesses of Young Norris
Waiting for Sugar Ray in his latest grand return was no ordinary fighter, but a man who would go on to become a major force in 1990s boxing. Despite being just 23 years old, Norris had already built quite a reputation—initially a negative one—after suffering a dramatic and spectacular knockout in his first world title attempt against the fearsome Julian Jackson.
After struggling in the opening three minutes, the devastating puncher from the Virgin Islands switched off Norris’s lights with a crushing right hand in the second round. However, Terrible soon redeemed himself, obliterating the feared John Mugabi in less than a round, knocking him down with thunderous shots.
Technically gifted and possessing significant punching power, Norris appeared to be a natural-born champion. However, his weaknesses included a chin that was far from ironclad and, more critically, a volatile temperament that often led him to lose control—evidenced by the three disqualification losses he would accumulate in his career.
Now making the second defense of his WBC super welterweight title, Norris was facing his childhood idol, and many wondered how the pressure of such a monumental occasion would affect him.
The Ghost of Leonard in a One-Sided Fight
After a tentative opening round, in which the aging legend simply moved in circles, absorbing his opponent’s offensive forays, Leonard attempted to take control in the second round. He took the initiative, focusing his attacks primarily on the champion’s body.
However, the final moments of the round sounded the first alarm bell for the many Sugar Ray fans packed into Madison Square Garden. A precise left hook from Norris landed flush on the former champion’s temple, sending him to the canvas. That was the only moment in the fight where Norris failed to keep his temper in check—he pounced on Leonard and hit him again while he was down, earning a stern warning from referee Arthur Mercante Jr., who threatened him with disqualification.
After a punishing third round, during which he managed to hurt and bombard his challenger with punches, Norris suddenly and surprisingly changed tactics. He gave up the center of the ring and adopted an outfighting style. Few would have expected Leonard to be outclassed in a pure boxing match, but unfortunately for him, the reflexes, speed, and sharp vision of his prime were distant memories. Moving effortlessly on his feet and countering with precision, Norris kept him constantly under control.
Every offensive move from Leonard was met with a dangerous counter from the champion, widening the scoring gap to the point that Sugar became reckless, making costly mistakes. At the end of the seventh round, as the challenger pressed forward in an exchange, he was caught by a sudden right hook and sent to the canvas once again. The expression on his face betrayed his resignation and helplessness.
The final third of the fight was an unbearable spectacle for those who had admired Ray Leonard throughout the previous decade. The legendary ring artist was at the mercy of his executioner, who toyed with him from a distance before inflicting agonizing moments of punishment when pressing forward.
The tenth and eleventh rounds were particularly brutal, creating the impression that the fight might even end in a knockout, given the champion’s overwhelming dominance. However, Norris ultimately chose not to inflict further damage, coasting through the final round and settling for a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
The fanciful 116-110 scorecard from judge Billy Costello was likely a nod to Leonard’s legacy in boxing. But the other two judges provided a more realistic reflection of the one-sided affair, with scores of 120-104 and 119-103. Sadly, this was not Leonard’s final appearance in the ring. Six years later, he made another ill-fated comeback, suffering an even worse fate when Hector Macho Camacho knocked him out.
As for Norris, his career continued for many more years, filled with brilliant victories and a few minor missteps—fights worth watching and stories worth telling, which will undoubtedly provide us with more material for future articles.