BoxRec

Speaking of Sugar Ray's last fight in his absolute prime, a day like today, February 25th, 1977 was the debut of the Olympic Gold Boxing Champion on a national network televised bout. I don't remember if it was ABC or CBS that televised the fight.

His first opponent was a journeyman fighter from Puerto Rico, Luis Vega. It was a unprecedented debut for a fighter that made $40,000 dollars in a Four-Rounder. That was $10,000 per round's work. Not even a decent heavyweight top contender made that much in a fight let alone in his pro debut.

Vega was game, but not a match for the young lion, who at 20, dazzled the Baltimore Civic Center of 5,000 delirious fans. Leonard won by a comfortable easy decision in 20 minutes of work, including boxers' introductions.

I don't remember his pro debut, but, for his fans in the United States was something that they saw something special on this kid with unbelievable fast hands.

It wasn't fast hands... Many boxers have very fast hands and aren't successful.. SRL had a boxing brain, great athleticism, and he was goal oriented.. He was a good businessman like Mayweather and picked his spots.. He was hittable so his career stalled a couple or 3 times.. But even with the defeats it all worked.. Like Ali he had a love for people and a knack for charming people.. He was a bit of an egoist and a showoff, but isn't everybody.

A great fighter...and a major self centred arsehole

I believe Howard davis made 100k for his debut. I don't remember Leonard being televised.

I remember Leoanrd's debut well. The fight was actually on primetime.

Odd, living in Baltimore. Perhaps I was grounded or in bed.

I don't generally watch pro debuts... The boxers aren't fully skilled. The high profile ones---like Leonard---are matched to look good and get easy wins... I remember his fights with Rafael Rodriguez, Pete Ranzany, and his first Title Fight with Wilfredo Benitez -- which I felt for certain he'd win that one easier than he did, because I thought a good jabber would destroy Benitez.

I remember Leonard's pro debut well. I was 14 years old at the time & up until that point, I only watched heavyweight boxing. But something about Leonard caught my attention & I made sure to tune in to see his bout vs Vega & never missed a single televised fight of his over the following 20 years.