Sugar Ray Leonard: The Closer

14.05.07 - By Ted Sares: I was shocked. At stake were the WBC Light Heavyweight Title and Vacant WBC Super Middleweight boxing Title, and Donnie LaLonde was doing a number on Sugar Ray Leonard. The fight was being televised from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Novemebr 7, 1988.

BAM! Donnie put Ray down early in the first round with an overhand right and lifted his hands to salute the stunned crowd. Sugar was visibly shaken and went on the defensive as LaLonde pressed the attack. Ray looked dejected as he headed for his corner at the bell.

Donnie, the "Golden Boy" of Canada, who had climbed his way to the top by winning the light-heavyweight Canadian and world championships was throwing punches that had evil intention written all over them. Trading furious exchanges during the next several rounds, the fight appeared to be even, though LaLonde had tallied the knockdown in the first round. continue