Sugar Ray moved up in weight class to the junior middleweight division on June 25, 1981. The card was also had Thomas Hearns on the same show on a card from the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. With talks in the serious stage for a showdown between both the welter champs in the fall, this was a showcase for both on a closed circuit broadcast.
Hearns won his bout with Pablo Baez, stopping him early with a punch to his throat. He was fairly impressive, and had done his part in keeping the big fight with Leonard alive.
Sugar took on the southpaw Ayub Kalule in his fight and struggled at times in his first time at super welter. Kalule was awkward and tough, but Ray figured him out and finished him in the 8th round. I had gone to the Spectrum in Philadelphia to see the card, and it was nice to know that the Super-fight between the two excellent boxers was sealed. I for one couldn’t wait!
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