Leonard, who regularly spent months away from
the crowds as he trained to win six world titles at five weights
between 1979 and 1989, has been attending AA meetings for close
to 15 years.
"I can’t go to meetings now but I am on Zoom, I get it on Zoom
and I join AA meetings that (have) people from the UK, Puerto
Rico, all over the world and we’re watching this, like I am
doing with you, because technology is so amazing," the
63-year-old told Reuters from his home in California.
"I can relate to that and I love this. You can go anywhere. It
takes you to where everyone else is. It puts us together."
Leonard, who has fought alcohol and drug addiction and struggled
with what he called "the demons" inside him, said he was wary of
the online version of AA but understood the assistance they
offer.
"It was scary because, like you asked me, I was afraid, not
afraid, well, yes I was afraid,” he said. "I was afraid to go on
camera and say, 'Hi guys, I am Sugar Ray' - I say Ray - 'and I’m
an alcoholic. That was tough but I am getting better now talking
about these things that are so stigmatised.
"It’s new people, but it’s the demons messing with me," said the
man remembered for his epic fights with Roberto Duran, Thomas
Hearns and Marvin Hagler -- known as the Fabulous Four.
"They’re saying, 'Don’t reveal yourself, Don’t reveal yourself'.
And this guy is saying 'Ray, it’s OK, it’s OK, you’re one and
the same, you guys are alcoholics'."
Leonard, whose Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation was set up to fight
Type 1 and 2 Diabetes, is a regular online with almost 2 million
followers on Facebook and Instagram plus regular videos showing
workouts and promoting charity auctions.
He remains in shape and told fans a great way to beat the
isolation blues is to keep active, whether it’s punching a heavy
bag or simply shadow boxing for a few seconds in your kitchen.
Leonard, who was famous for his grace and speed in the ring, was
good humoured about being recognised in the online gatherings,
even if some of the younger participants know him more for his
smooth moves outside the ring than inside.
"(People say) 'You’re that guy right' and I say, 'Yeah, but what
guy?' And he says, 'The guy on Dancing with the Stars'."
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Ken Ferris)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|