Sugar Ray Leonard's son in Charlotte to speak about ending domestic violence

CHARLOTTE — The son of legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard will speak Tuesday to local men about ending domestic violence.

Ray Leonard Jr. will be the keynote speaker at the 18th Safe Alliance Men for Change breakfast.

When Leonard walked through the Safe Alliance shelter Monday afternoon emotions came rushing back. The place that helps local domestic violence victims and their families brought back memories of his own.

"It's still, it's overwhelming," Leonard said. "I can't believe it still bothers me to this day. I try to put this outward appearance of this strong guy."

He said appearing strong was a way of life, growing up as the son of a boxing legend.

He told Channel 9 how quickly fame hit his family, and how tough it was on them. Leonard said the domestic violence he witnessed is still crystal clear in his memory. He recalled an incident that happened in his childhood when his dad came home. His mother asked him not to go.

"She was saying Ray don't leave, don't leave… and then I got back upstairs and her head's bloody and I screamed at him and then he left," Leonard said. "I had this anxiety and I had this fear and shame for years... even now, I still look at myself and say 'Why didn't you do something?'"

While Leonard is dealing with the emotions from years ago, he is trying to help others dealing with the same thing.

"About taking your power back, about having courage, about not letting someone take your happiness from you," Leonard said.

He hopes to help men in the Charlotte community heal and inspire them to help others. Leonard said he would like to have his dad join him on his speaking tour one day.

Click here to hear one of his motivational speeches.

WSOC