On a recent episode of “Listen In With KNN,” host and executive producer Kelsey Nicole Nelson sat down with Ray Leonard Jr., CEO of Leonard Sports Agency to the show. Leonard is the oldest son of boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.
Leonard Sports and Entertainment is a full service sports and entertainment management company.
During the show, the two delved into Leonard Jr.’s passion for uplifting women in sports and his new book guiding the next generation.
Nelson kicked off the conversation by commending Leonard Jr. for his inaugural golf tournament, the Sugar Ray Leonard Jr. “Women Empowerment” Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by Next Health which was dedicated to the continued empowerment of women’s athletes and women’s sports. Leonard Jr., a proud “girl dad,” as he references himself spoke about the need to shine a spotlight on female athletes.
“It’s time to put a magnifying glass onto what’s happening with the ladies in sports,” he said. Highlighting the performance of the Washington Spirit and the growing excitement around women’s sports.
The event also honored the Lady Lions of Baltimore and Community Bridges of Silver Spring in addition to recognizing the Washington Spirit’s Croix Bethune and Makenna Morris.
Leonard Jr. stressed the importance of representation and the financial opportunities in women’s sports. “The major investments are going towards women’s sports,” he said, “I’m ready for ladies to get their fair share and their fair due,” Leonard Jr. said.
Nelson and Leonard Jr. also discussed his new book, “Know Better, Do Better: A Life Guide for the Next Generation,” which is available on Amazon. The book offers wisdom and advice to young people on navigating challenges like self-esteem and peer pressure.
“It’s a work book that continues to move,” Leonard Jr. said. He encourages families to use the book as a tool for meaningful conversations.
Touching on his roots in the DMV, Leonard Jr. shared his thoughts on the upcoming boxing match between Baltimore’s Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) and Washington, D.C.’s Lamont Roach (25-1-1, 10 KOs) which will be held on March 1, from Barclays Center. As someone who grew up around the boxing scene, he expressed his excitement for the fight while reflecting on the current state of boxing.
“Boxing is entertainment. It’s a combat from one person to one person,” Leonard Jr. said. But he also voiced his concerns, “I think it’s lost in the storytelling of how you bring people together.”
Before concluding the interview, Leonard Jr. left listeners with a final message: “Our actions speak louder than our words…don’t be so quick to judge somebody without putting yourself into their shoes, to learn and grow and to teach the next generation to keep it moving.”
Listen to the full episode below.
