By Mark Vester
One of the most popular boxing stars in the history of the sport, Sugar Ray Leonard, is backing super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe's chances of becoming the next American superstar.
Leonard participated in a one-hour documentary on Calzaghe that will air on overseas network ITV4. During the documentary, Leonard said that Calzaghe's potential to become an American star is very high.
"I think Joe has the potential to become bigger than life over here," says Leonard. "American sports fans can gravitate towards him."
Leonard also admits during the documentary that he did not think Calzaghe was capable of beating Jeff Lacy, when the two fighters clashed in March. Calzaghe's one-sided win over Lacy shocked Leonard.
"That victory pretty much rocked the boxing establishment," Leonard noted. "I didn't think Joe could beat him, but it was an amazing performance."