The Big Fight

My Life In and Out of the Ring

By: Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Arkush

Narrated by: Sugar Ray Leonard

In this unflinching and inspiring autobiography, the boxing legend faces his single greatest competitor: himself. Sugar Ray Leonard's brutally honest and uplifting memoir reveals in intimate detail for the first time the complex man behind the boxer. The Olympic hero, multichampionship winner, and beloved athlete waged his own personal battle with depression, rage, addiction, and greed.

Coming from a tumultuous, impoverished household and a dangerous neighborhood on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., in the 1970s, Sugar Ray Leonard rose swiftly and skillfully through the ranks of amateur boxing-and eventually went on to win a gold medal in the 1976 Olympics. With an extremely ill father and no endorsement deals, Leonard decided to go pro.

The Big Fight takes listeners behind the scenes of a notoriously corrupt sport and chronicles the evolution of a champion, as Leonard prepares for the greatest fights of his life - against Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, and Wilfred Benitez. At the same time, Leonard fearlessly reveals his own contradictions and compulsions, his infidelity, and alcohol and cocaine abuse. With honesty, humor, and hard-won perspective, Leonard comes to terms with both triumph and struggle - and presents a gripping portrait of remarkable strength, courage, and resilience, both in and out of the ring.

©2011 Sugar Ray Leonard (P)2011 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“The intelligence and self-reflection that helped Sugar Ray become one of the greatest fighters of his generation, have also stood him in good stead outside the arena." (The Boston Globe)

“Champions come and go, but to be legendary you got to have heart, more heart than the next man, more than anyone in the world. Ray's heart was bigger than all the rest. He would never stop fighting.” (Muhammad Ali)

I really enjoyed listening to this incredible book

i absolutely loved it, incredible & inspiring. The greatest hands down, outstanding, amazing and motivating

Inspirational

With great passion, courage and transparency, Ray gives us a lesson of life that we can apply and compare with our own struggles. He is a remarkable man.

The Real Deal

A good listen, I used to work with his brother Roger. Also met him in 85 at Salem College with Archie Talley.✌🏾 from the DMV Largo MD

I have a greater respect for SRL than ever before!

He told his life story in such an inspiration so way that it makes me desire to worker even harder at becoming a better person.

The best!

This is easily the best boxing book and audiobook I've read or listened to. It is great to hear from Sugar Ray himself. I would highly recommend this book for anyone with aspirations, especially anyone who has an appreciation for the fighting arts. Sugar Ray offers the red meat, taking the reader through the mindset of a true fighter and champion.

Incredible read and informative on the career of Sugar Ray and life of Ray Leonard

I really enjoyed this book as a young man who didn’t get to witness the career of Sugar Ray Leonard. It was really interesting and enjoyable to hear the champ himself talk in detail about his life, it gave me a whole new level of appreciate for the legend beyond rewatching his fights of old.

honest and comprehensive

as an autobiography should be, I still prefer Marvelous Marvin but I respect this great legend. giving us a deep look at his perosnal life and struggles (which we may think he didn't have or at least not that much) is great. I loved it and leanred a lot from it.

amazing story

one of the best sports autobiographies. Interesting, honest and entertaining just like the sugar man.

extraordinarily eye opening, truthful

very well explained life story by Ray. totally honest and real. a new respect is due to him for this honest look at his life and his willingness to put blame where it belongs when it comes to his shortcomings and flaws ....blame on himself. very well narrated.

brilliant

it's amazing how people go through life with so many personal conflicts and are able to hide or suppress them. But to overcome them is something entirely different. look at yourself in the mirror without lying to yourself the way ray leonard did and conquer your biggest fears and conflicts. this book is simply amazing