Throughout his storied boxing career and later as an entrepreneur, Sugar Ray Leonard relied on the same defining characteristics to achieve greatness.
Presented by CARFAX in his keynote address, “Power to Win,” Leonard will share his six qualities that drive success as an athlete and in business — discipline, focus, determination, preparation, the right attitude and setting fear of the unknown aside — at National Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s Accelerate 2023 Convention and Expo at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Leonard will share his powerful case for his principles of success with a sense of humor and a smile that lights up the room at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, as one of the many sessions at the largest expo and convention for the independent auto dealer.
A gold medalist and the first boxer to win championships in five weight classes, Leonard is considered one of the top pound for pound fighters to ever lace up the gloves.
Leonard began boxing at 14, winning three Golden Gloves, two Amateur Athletic Union and the 1975 Pan-American crown, before capturing the gold medal at the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal.
To help his family defray mounting medical costs due to his father’s illness, he turned professional following the Olympics.
At 20, he won his first professional fight to start his stellar career, which included winning welterweight, junior middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight titles. He fought and won legendary bouts against Wilfred Benetiz, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvelous Marvin Hagler in his 20-year career.
After retiring from boxer, he provided expert ring commentary on NBC, ABC, FOX, HBO and ESPN. He was also the featured international commentator for the record-breaking Mayweather vs. McGregor fight.
He hosted the Emmy-nominated “The Contender” and competed on “Dancing with the Stars.”
In 2011, Leonard published his autobiography “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring.” In his memoir, he describes his greatest competitor, himself and confronts his personal battles with depression, rage, addiction and greed.
Leonard started the The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation in 2009 with his wife, Bernadette. Since its inception, the foundation has funded countless research projects and offered life-changing patient care for children living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The foundation is also committed to helping children lead healthier lives through diet and exercise, equipping them with the tools to be successful in health later on.
Leonard also raises money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and other children’s charities through his annual “Big Fighters, Big Cause” Charity Boxing Night.
The charismatic Leonard will share stories of what it took to make his dreams of an Olympic gold medal come true and what it took to reach the top of the boxing world. He will also share his journey from a world-class athlete to entrepreneur.
Making dreams come true and adapting to change are themes that will resonate with people from all walks of life, especially the independent car dealer. Leonard and CARFAX hope to leave you with a renewed enthusiasm and commitment to engage your Power to Win.
