Celebrity Straight Talk with Ray Leonard, Jr.

Ray Leonard, Jr., is the son of international boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard. His parents were living in the ghetto when he was born out of wedlock in 1973. At the time of Ray’s birth, his father was just 17 years old and his mother was 16 years old. Shortly after Ray’s birth, Sugar Ray began his ascent in sports as an Olympic boxing gold medalist.

Times were different in the 1970s, and Ray’s birth was originally kept secret because it did not fit the image that the Olympic media machine wanted of a successful African-American athlete. Ultimately, Sugar Ray publicly married Ray’s mother, Juanita, and Ray’s family became the poster child for a successful African-American family.

But during Ray’s childhood, there was tremendous physical and emotional abuse behind closed doors. The family turmoil included drugs, alcohol, infidelities, and physical domestic violence. Yet, in front of the cameras the family put on a happy face of a close, loving family, to maintain the image that had been so carefully crafted by the personal corporation that was set up to navigate Sugar Ray’s early boxing career and the creation of his public persona. Ray’s struggles to rise above his troubled upbringing, to become a success as a self-made man, is an inspirational story.

Currently, Ray serves as the Vice President of Sales and Development for Ludus Tours, a company based in San Diego that provides quality services to the world’s greatest festivals and sporting events, such as the Olympics in London, Oktoberfest in Munich, and the World Cup in Brazil. As the former CEO of Leonard Sports & Entertainment, a full service sports and entertainment management company specializing in pairing celebrities with corporations, he has more than fifteen years domestic and international experience as a professional manager in the sports and finance industries, and a unique ability to direct complex projects from concept to fully operational status. During his tenure as CEO, Ray led his company to success in real estate, sponsorship, and endorsement deals, grossing more than $400 million. Ray is also a member of several governance and advisory boards.

Charitable work has also always been a major focus for Ray. He served as Co-Executive Director for The Youth Recreation association of Philadelphia for two years; is a mentor for the Magic Johnson Foundation; and actively works with Habitat for Humanity.

Ray broke the cycle of abuse through internal strength, a strong faith, and the love of a wonderful woman, Stacey, who became his wife. Ray is now happily married and the father of four beautiful children. He and his family live in California.

For more information about Ray and his current work, please visit www.ludustours.com  and www.Boxingtours.com.