I only lost money betting against Sugar Ray Leonard one time, and that is when one of the greatest boxers of all time fought an equally heralded opponent in the form of “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. At the time, Leonard hadn't been in the ring in five years, having retired due to an eye injury that threatened his sight. In the meantime, I watched Hagler dispatch opponent after opponent, including Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, who at one time had knocked out 30 of 32 foes. In that brutal three-round battle that resembled more of a street fight than a boxing match, Hagler prevailed by finally nailing Hearns to the canvas in a bout that has become known as “The War.”

The Leonard-Hagler fight was one of those classic bouts between a puncher and a boxer. Hagler moved straight forward, trying to set up a big overhand right or left hook, while Leonard relied on his ability to move around the ring and throw flurries of punches in a style resembling Muhammad Ali. Despite being a three-to-one favorite that night, Hagler lost to Leonard in a controversial split decision that is still debated by experts. Personally, I would have given Hagler the decision for being the aggressor and throwing the harder blows, but Leonard's style made Hagler look clumsy and a step too slow. Sports being sports, my money and I were parted.

So it was with special interest that I watched Sugar Ray walk out on stage at the opening session of FAIA's 103rd Annual Convention and Education Symposium. Looking like he is still around his fighting weight, he is a smaller man than one might think and I have to believe that somewhere in the audience at least one man was sizing him up and thinking, I could take him. Eschewing a suit and tie, he wore a pair of tennis shoes, pressed jeans, and an untucked white shirt. There is no dress code for those with the courage to enter the ring. Sugar Ray's message to agents was similar to every other motivational speaker: The key to success is to focus, focus, focus.