2023 ACA Philadelphia Program Book_153rd Congress of Correction

GENERAL SESSION

Friday, Aug. 11, 1:30–3 p.m., Ballroom A/B

Sugar Ray Leonard

H aving learned to box at 14, Leonard’s career includes three National Golden Gloves titles, two AAU championships and the 1975 Pan-American Games crown. After winning a gold medal in boxing at the 1976 Olympics, he turned professional in an effort to help his family pay medical bills incurred from his father’s illness. Leonard won his first professional fight and he went on to defeat some of the greatest boxers of the modern era, from Wilfred Benetiz to Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, from whom Leonard won the world middleweight title. During his 20-year professional career, Leonard also won world titles in the welterweight, junior middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight divisions — the first boxer to win world titles in five different weight classes. In 2011, Leonard published his first autobiography (Viking Books) THE BIG FIGHT: My Life In and Out of the Ring . Leonard’s raw and uplifting memoir reveals in intimate detail his own personal battle with depression, rage, addiction and greed. Leonard’s charismatic personality and expert ring knowledge led to a successful career as a television broadcaster for NBC, ABC, FOX, HBO and ESPN. Leonard and his wife, Bernadette founded the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation in 2009, funding research and 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. Leonard raises money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and other children’s chari ties through his annual “Big Fighters, Big Cause” Charity Boxing Night.

Legendary Boxing Icon Olympic Gold Medalist

Bestselling Author

Hall of Famer

Philanthropist

Founder of the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation

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