"When I turned pro, Muhammad Ali was laying back, and I was able to fill up an area that was empty"

Sugar Ray Leonard was a popular professional boxer who acquired appeal during the 1970s and 1980s. In his quote, he talks about how when he turned professional, Muhammad Ali, who had been a dominant force in boxing, had actually retired or "was laying back." This produced an opportunity for Leonard to fill up deep space he left and gain prominence in the sport. Leonard describes that he had the ability to capture an area that was previously empty and end up being a successful fighter in his own right. This quote highlights the significance of timing and taking chances that emerge, even in a highly competitive market like expert boxing.