Arts & Entertainment
Sugar Ray Leonard Signs Candid New Autobiography at West End Library Saturday
In an exclusive interview, boxing icon talks with Cascade Patch about "The Big Fight," his personal story of sexual, drug and alcohol abuse.
The fans of legendary boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard Saturday started lining up more than an hour before his scheduled book signing at the West End Branch of the Atlanta Fulton County Library.
By the time of the scheduled noon signing, the line stretched out of the building and down the steps to Peeples Street. Leonard signed copies of his new autobiography, “The Big Fight” - My Life In and Out of the Ring” (Viking).
Most of the media focus about Leonard's autobiography has been about his admission that he was sexually abused by two of his former trainers when he was a teenager.
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Before the signing Leonard told some members of the Atlanta media that despite that admission and his bout with alcohol and drugs, the book is not a sad story.
“My life and professional career has been a success," Leonard said, "but I have to reveal what obstacles or stumbling blocks that I've had to face outside the ring and which have haunted me and been quite painful.”
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Of all of his accomplishments, winning an Olympic Gold Medal and a professional world boxing championship belt, Leonard said he is most proud of being sober for five years come this July. Leonard said he regularly attends AA meetings.
On a lighter note, Leonard said being a contestant in the TV show “Dancing with the Stars” was “the hardest thing I've ever done.”
For more information about Leonard's new book visit www.sugarrayleonard.net.