Sugar Ray Leonard has watched boxing change repeatedly over the decades, but he remains closely tuned in to where the sport is headed.
During a recent interview with Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, the Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on the current state of boxing, with particular attention paid to the growth of women’s boxing and the impact of Claressa Shields.
When asked about the momentum behind women’s boxing, Leonard focused on the depth of talent across the sport rather than isolating a single division. “You know what, there is so much talent out there right now, period,” Leonard said.
He acknowledged that while boxing continues to evolve, it still needs consistent backing to thrive. “Can the business be helped? Yes. Everything needs support at some point, whether it’s a business or a passion.”
Leonard made it clear where he stands when it comes to Shields, who is widely regarded as the face of women’s boxing. “I love boxing, so I’m in her corner—how about that?” he said.
Although Leonard has not yet seen Shields compete in person, he noted that her performances have already made an impression. “I haven’t seen her live yet, but I certainly will now,” Leonard said. “It’s been brought to my attention again and I really like what I see.”
The conversation also expanded to boxing’s modern crossover appeal, including the rise of influencer fighters such as Jake Paul. When asked about a potential dream matchup, Leonard declined to speculate but reiterated his optimistic outlook. “I don’t know if I can answer that one,” he said. “But you know what? Again, I’m an optimist. I believe in the sport and I support the hustle. Bring ’em on!”
Leonard also touched on boxing’s longstanding relationship with entertainment and other sports, referencing figures who have crossed into wrestling and film.
Speaking about his longtime friend Roy Jones Jr., Leonard said, “Roy Jones is my friend, that’s my man!”
He also revealed that his own athletic background wasn’t limited to boxing. “A lot of people don’t know that I actually used to wrestle big time back in high school,” he said.
Throughout the discussion, Leonard returned to a central belief about boxing’s future. “I truly believe it’s all going to be okay,” he said. “Boxing will be okay. The sport has a way of enduring.”