The greatest Olympic athlete from every U.S. state

North Carolina: “Sugar” Ray Leonard

Sport: Boxing

Olympics: Montreal 1976

When the 1976 United States boxing team is looked at today, it’s incredible how stacked it truly was. The team boasted brothers Leon and Michael Spinks, Howard Davis Jr., Leo Randolph, Charles Mooney, John Tate, and “Sugar” Ray Leonard. Many consider it to be the best team ever assembled for Olympic competition. Leonard certainly held up his end of the bargain as he won the gold in the light welterweight division.

Leonard began his path to the Olympics in 1969. He suffered his first defeat in the quarterfinals of the National AAU Tournament but he was determined to keep chasing his dream. In fact, he was so determined that he lied about his age to compete in the Eastern Olympic Trials. The rules were a boxer had to be seventeen to compete but Leonard was only 16. He lied and lost in the semifinals on a split decision. Leonard soon got his nickname of “Sugar” from a boxing coach who proclaimed he was as sweet as sugar. Leonard kept boxing on the amateur circuit until he made his way onto the Olympic squad in 1976. He finished with a 6-0 record with all six wins coming via decision. When he returned home, he planned to go to school and give up boxing. His family suffered medical issues and he had a child at the time, so he eventually decided to turn pro, resulting in one of the more decorated careers ever.

He was a member of the “Fabulous Four” in the 1980s, which consisted of Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler. These four men were the cream of the crop in that time period for boxing and helped keep the sport going. Leonard had a 20-year career and fought at various weight classes, winning many different title belts. “Sugar” Ray Leonard compiled a 36-3-1 record as a pro and is one of the most recognizable boxers ever to put on gloves.

Honorable Mention: Walter Davis, basketball in Montreal 1976