HBO recognized by 1978 that Ray Leonard was the future of boxing. His second fight on the network was his November 3rd unanimous decision win over Bernardo Prada in Portland, Maine. He fought again on January 11, 1979 against Johnny Gant in another TKO victory. Leonard was showcasing his talent with each win, and defeated a bunch of tough, talented pros during that same calendar year. By the fall he earned himself a title shot against the highly skilled Wildred Benitez in Las Vegas.
HBO had signed Ray to a contract to be a color man on their fights and his charisma and good looks were capturing the hearts of both boxing and non boxing fans across the country.
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