"I got to know Sugar Ray but I certainly would not say we were good friends"

In this quote, Dick Schaap is reflecting on his relationship with the famous boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. He mentions that while he did have some level of associate with Sugar Ray, he does rule out them to be close or "excellent" buddies. This might imply that their interactions were limited and not particularly meaningful. It could also recommend that there might have been some level of stress or distance between them. In general, Schaap's words convey a sense of detachment and absence of intimacy in his relationship with Sugar Ray, despite their shared connection worldwide of sports.