Born Ray Charles Leonard in 1956, Sugar Ray Leonard made his mark on the world in the arena of boxing. Even as an amateur boxer Leonard impressed people; before the age of twenty he had already won three National Golden Glove titles, to AAU Championships, and the 1975 Pan-American Games crown. He then won the gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in the light welterweight boxing division. After turning professional, Leonard won 36 of 40 boxing matches, 25 of which were victories by knockout. Sports Illustrated also named Leonard the 1981 Sportsman of the Year. In 1997 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.