Boxing Legend Sugar Ray Leonard Opens Up In New Autobiography

July 29, 2011 11:37 AM

Sugar Ray Leonard (L) defends against Brockton, Mass native Marvin Hagler(R) in the title for the Middleweight Champion on April 6, 1987 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leonard would win by Split decision(Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)

Reporting Walt Perkins

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Heard On WBZ NewsRadio 1030, Sports, Syndicated Local, Watch + Listen

BOSTON (CBS) – Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard is opening up about the many personal struggles he dealt with throughout his career.

Leonard spoke to WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Walt Perkins on Friday about his new autobiography, “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring.”

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Walt Perkins reports

In the book, the 55-year-old talks about being sexually abused by a coach as well as his family life and an ongoing battle with drugs, alcohol, fame and fortune.

He says the ring was his escape.

“Strange as it may sound, in the ring I felt safe because I could control in the ring for the most part,” Leonard told Perkins.

Leonard says he’s been sober for five years and counting and “life’s good” because of it.