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Motivation Quote by Sugar Ray Leonard

"I think I've become one of the best finishers in boxing; if I hurt a guy, I normally take him out"

About this Quote

There is swagger here, but it’s the kind that comes from pattern recognition, not pure bluster. “I think” softens the claim just enough to make it sound measured, almost clinical, before the sentence snaps shut with “one of the best finishers.” Leonard isn’t boasting about style points; he’s staking a reputation on the ugliest, most decisive part of boxing: turning advantage into an ending.

The subtext is about control. “If I hurt a guy” isn’t just physical damage, it’s a read on a fighter’s internal wiring - balance, panic, defensive habits, the split-second when survival overrides strategy. Leonard is saying he’s learned to detect that moment and weaponize it. “Normally” matters too: it signals a professional who knows chaos is real in the ring, but still trusts his percentages. He’s presenting finishing as a repeatable skill, not a lucky swing.

Contextually, this fits Leonard’s era and persona: a fighter celebrated for speed and flair who also had to prove he could be ruthless when the spotlight demanded it. The line speaks to boxing’s harsh economy of credibility. Fans admire artistry, but they worship closure. Leonard frames himself as the guy who doesn’t let drama drag into late rounds if he’s already cracked the code.

It’s also a message to opponents: don’t treat an early wobble as a stumble you can recover from. For Leonard, it’s an appointment with the end.

Quote Details

TopicVictory
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Citation Formats

APA Style (7th ed.)
Leonard, Sugar Ray. (2026, January 16). I think I've become one of the best finishers in boxing; if I hurt a guy, I normally take him out. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-think-ive-become-one-of-the-best-finishers-in-88300/

Chicago Style
Leonard, Sugar Ray. "I think I've become one of the best finishers in boxing; if I hurt a guy, I normally take him out." FixQuotes. January 16, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-think-ive-become-one-of-the-best-finishers-in-88300/.

MLA Style (9th ed.)
"I think I've become one of the best finishers in boxing; if I hurt a guy, I normally take him out." FixQuotes, 16 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-think-ive-become-one-of-the-best-finishers-in-88300/. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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Sugar Ray Leonard (born May 17, 1956) is a Athlete from USA.

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