At 65, Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard Is Still in Fighting Shape to Get in Ring

Blessed with quick ft, high-speed arms and a million-dollar smile, Sugar Ray Leonard was probably the most fashionable boxers of his era and have become the primary fighter to win world titles in 5 completely different weight courses (welterweight, middleweight, junior middleweight, tremendous middleweight and light-weight heavyweight) over the course of his 20-year skilled profession.

An Olympic champion and Corridor of Famer who realized to field on the age of 14, Leonard continues to be gentle and lean on the age of 65, and tells us he retains himself busy with his foundation in addition to serving as a model ambassador for Skechers, with whom he has two new commercials launching this fall.

“I put on them on a regular basis for the arch help, particularly on days I do know I’ll be on my ft for some time,” Leonard tells InsideHook. “Skechers could make all of the distinction, particularly to your strolling routine.”

However even taking a look at him on a Zoom name, it’s simple to inform Leonard’s each day routine consists of far more than strolling. So how does Leonard preserve the fittest physique on a 60-something this facet of Phil Collen? We requested him for his secrets and techniques.

InsideHook: How does your health routine now examine to what you probably did once you have been preventing?

Sugar Ray Leonard: I’ve slowed down just a little bit. I play tennis and run and typically I believe I’m 20 or 30 years outdated, however occasions have modified. I hearken to my physique much more. I additionally hearken to my physician and my therapist. Once I work out, it’s like heaven. It’s so unimaginable. I simply need to keep in form. Different guys who’ve educated all their lives to grow to be world champions, when that’s gone, it’s over. They take a relaxation. They take a break. I don’t. Once I work out, I really feel productive. I really feel excited. I’m simply motivated.

How would you describe your total philosophy about persevering with to maintain your self in form?

I’m 65 and I actually don’t take numbers or ages to coronary heart. I’m 65 man … so what? I don’t know what 65 appears like. I don’t base issues upon numbers aside from what number of punches I’ve thrown. I’m nonetheless working round and doing what I need to do. I had nothing in need of an illustrious boxing profession, however I got here out considerably unscathed. That in and of itself tells me I can do what I need to do. I listened to my physique then, however I hearken to my physique much more now.

How do you sometimes work out as of late?

I do a variety of cardio. I take advantage of weights as soon as each blue moon. I like working. I like strolling. I’d moderately stroll or run or play tennis as an alternative of utilizing a treadmill. Machines are nice, however I’m old fashioned. I hit the bag every so often. I’ve additionally included kickboxing. I simply do quite a lot of issues. Once I end, I are inclined to procrastinate. I say, “Nicely, perhaps I’ll do twice as a lot tomorrow.” I’ll work out within the morning after which I’ll really feel good. I really feel productive. I really feel fantastic. My coronary heart, my legs, my physique, my thoughts. It pays off for me.

Is there any kind of gear you all the time put on once you work out?

I’m glad you requested that query. My spouse all the time says, “It’s not wintertime. What are you doing with sweatpants and a hoodie and a T-shirt on?” I say, “I like placing that stuff on as a result of I’m from again East.” I like the sweat. I like being outdoors when it’s sizzling and getting a great exercise. Once I work out, I additionally obtained to have correct sneakers. That’s why the connection with Sketchers and their Arch Fit shoes has been monumental. I put on them day-after-day. If we’re going to dinner or we’re going to a shopping center, wherever. No pun meant, however they match like a glove.

Has your weight loss program modified since your preventing days?

You understand what, man? I eat. I like fried rooster. I like corn on the cob, greens and stuff like that. I don’t have any explicit weight loss program per se, however now I do issues moderately. I believe that’s what helps. Once I’m consuming an excessive amount of soda pop or no matter, I reduce. It really works for me.

Why is it nonetheless so vital to you to maintain your self in nice form?

To start with, I like staying wholesome. However I’m additionally useless. If I look within the mirror and see my stomach is hanging out, naturally, I’ll do a collection of pushups and situps. I’m simply that approach. I’m self-motivated. I like to remain wholesome. Why not? It will get more durable each single 12 months and each single month. I overcome that. It makes me really feel productive. I used to run behind the college bus. Individuals thought I used to be loopy, however I used to run to highschool that was two or three miles away. I simply love that feeling after I end.

Did you ever do something to coach like Rocky Balboa?

I did, I did. I’ll inform you about consuming about three of 4 uncooked eggs. It was the worst style on this planet. I did at the moment as a result of I watched Rocky on a regular basis, however I’ve by no means performed it once more. We didn’t raise weights again within the day as a result of it was a no-no. It made you too tight and too inflexible. I ran 5 miles day-after-day besides Sunday. I by no means ran on Sundays as a result of that was the day I might give my physique an opportunity to rejuvenate and heal itself. I inform you, nothing’s modified.

What’s it like now once you get within the ring?

It’s a must to get used to getting hit once more. One of many largest hurdles you’ve obtained to beat is being civilized. When you get hit for a 12 months or so, you’ll simply get used to it. The jarring. The affect. It’s a bizarre state of affairs. The final time I sparred was in all probability with Johnny Gill, a good friend of mine. I beat his butt on a regular basis. I don’t hit him too arduous, however I do punch him. Boxing will all the time be part of my life, it doesn’t matter what, irrespective of how outdated I’m or grow to be.

How’s the hand pace as of late?

What do you assume? I assure I’m quicker than you.