The six-times former world champion will address the crowd before taking a ringside seat at new charity bash Thriller in the Chiller.
He’ll also be the star attraction at an exclusive, pre-fight cocktail party at the Events Centre on June 27.
The American sporting hero has a few words of wisdom for the local and celebrity boxers taking part in the Mountain Scene-sponsored event. “The most profound advice I can give to contenders is to keep their guards up and duck…then duck, duck and duck again,” Leonard, 54, says.
“Thriller in the Chiller will also be great for the fans because I’m sure some of them will be there to see a few local guys getting punished, and who they probably wouldn’t mind having a swing at themselves.”
Festival boss Simon Green is understandably rapt: “It is a huge coup for us to secure someone as revered as Sugar Ray Leonard to be a part of our inaugural charity boxing event. Our boxers are going to be so excited.”
It’ll be the second time Leonard – famous for bruising wins in the 1980s against the likes of Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns – will have visited New Zealand within a year.
Last September he was drafted in as a promotional ambassador for the NZ Fight of the Century between David Tua and Shane Cameron at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium, in which Tua destroyed Cameron.
But Leonard – the first boxer to earn $US100 million from purses – insists he gets as much of a kick out of watching have-a-go events like Thriller in the Chiller.
“I’ve seen similar contests back home in the States, where you get doctor against doctor and accountant versus accountant, and it’s great fun,” he says.
“In their own way, the contenders take it just as seriously as I would have done getting into the ring with someone like Marvin Hagler.
“What’s funny, though, is they tend to come out in a blur of flying fists and punch themselves out within the first round.
“After that it’s like watching guys moving around wearing lead boots.
“But it’s great for the guys because it gives them a different perspective on boxing and an idea of how hard it is to be a fighter.”
Leonard says he has few worries about anyone getting badly hurt.
“The only things likely to get damaged are people’s pride and egos.”
After a glittering career in the ring, the twice-married dad-of-four hung up his gloves in 1997, aged 40.
He went on to become a commentator for televised fights and these days travels the world as a motivational speaker and promotes good causes for youngsters. He also hosted the reality boxing TV series The Contender.
While in Queenstown, Leonard – who’ll have eldest son and his co-manager Ray Jnr with him – will also donate an item to Thriller in the Chiller’s charity auction for the Bruce Grant Youth Trust.
But the California-based champ says he’s still recovering from damaging his shoulder recently while playing basketball with a nephew.
“In all those years as a fighter I only got one bad injury and that was to an eye. It’s ironic that I’ve done so much damage throwing a basketball around.
“The rehab for a torn rotator cuff is more painful than anything I ever experienced in the ring and, believe me, I have quite a high tolerance for pain,” he says.
“When I get to Queenstown my arm might still be in a sling but it won’t stop me from having a great time.”
Get up close and personal with Sugar Ray at an exclusive, pre-fight cocktail function. To get into the VIP bash, register your interest by clicking here. Tickets are $295 and there are just 50 up for grabs.
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