THE exceptional performance of the 20th century surely belongs to Sugar Ray Leonard.
His sensational and controversial victory over Marvelous Marvin Hagler, surpassed anything Muhammad Ali ever did.
Almost to a man the boxing world believed Leonard had taken leave of his senses and expressed their horror after he announced he wanted to challenge Hagler.
Their genuine fear for his health and safety was understandable. Sugar Ray, forced to retire after retina surgery, had fought just once in five years.
Yet the former world welterweight champion wanted to move up to take on Hagler, arguably the greatest of all world middleweight champions who had been unbeaten for 11 years with 12 title defences behind him.
Legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, spoke for most when he said: "A Hagler-Leonard fight would be a fraud on the public. It would be another Ali-Holmes show. A hoax."
Promoter Bob Arum, equally scathing said: "Hagler would take out Leonard in 30 seconds. It would be ridiculous.
"I wouldn't promote it because I don't want to turn the sport into wrestling. It would be ludicrous. A joke."
So who was the promoter when Hagler and Leonard came face-to face in the Caesars Palace ring, on April 6, 1987? Why, a guy named Bob Arum.
Sitting ringside that night I could feel the unbearable tension emanating from the 15,000 open-air crowd as they waited for the opening bell.
They had been led to believe they were about to see Hagler seriously hurt the Olympic gold medallist they called America's sweetheart, who he contemptuously referred to as 'Pretty Boy'.
How and why Leonard came to defy logic to win a split decision is painstakingly researched and entertainingly explained by Brian Doogan, then the Sunday Times boxing correspondent, in his book The SuperFight, published this month.
Leonard admits he became an alcoholic and a cocaine addict during his years of idleness which makes his remarkable triumph beyond belief.
Doogan's interviews with both men and those connected to them reveals the behind-the-scenes machinations that enable the fight to be made – at the time the richest in history grossing nearly $100 million.
I'm not going to spoil it by giving away the plot but it's fascinating the way Leonard, as cunning as the slyest fox, manipulated areluctant Hagler into accepting the challenge.
What comes across abundantly clear Hagler didn't like Leonard one bit – and still doesn't.
Marvin a product of the riot-torn Newark ghetto regarded Leonard with his much softer lower-middle-class background as something of a dilettante.
Hagler when asked what he intended to do to Sugar Ray when he got him in range of his concussive fists said chillingly: "He probably won't talk no more, might not see no more and might not even walk no more. I liker to mess-up pretty faces."
But Leonard, a master strategist, had done his homework. Outwitting and outboxing Hagler for most of the 12 rounds he got the verdict that still leads to hostile arguments 33 years later.
Sugar Ray said: "I studied Marvin's temperament and disposition. I did my own research on him as a person. Not physically but psychologically."
Hagler, who never fought again, to this day bitterly maintains he was blatantly robbed by the Vegas judges.
Defeat turned him into a recluse for months and his manager Pat Petronelli said: "It shattered Marvin's life. He became moody, depressed and he hasn't been able to deal with it.
"He said he will take this to his grave. It's more to him than death itself."
Superfight – the perfect Christmas gift for fight fans – opens with Mike Tyson giving his assessment of Leonard's character.
Tyson writes "Ray Leonard was a pit-bull with a pretty face. Outside the ring he was cute, articulate, smart, great looking.
"But deep inside he was a vicious animal. When it comes to this fighting thing he's like a monster."
Some dilettante.
Superfight is published by Brian Dougan Media UK Ltd, 2020, Price £20
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