Leonard Passes Eye Examination

Sugar Ray Leonard’s left eye, focus of speculation for almost five years, has been found fully fit for Monday night’s middleweight championship bout against Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced Friday.

The commission said that Leonard’s eye had passed an extensive retinal examination, administered earlier this week, and gave its approval to the 12-round bout.

Leonard has undergone surgery on both eyes. His left retina was repaired in 1982 after it became detached. Further evidence of Leonard’s fitness came from the underwriter of the bout, Joe Gagliardi, who said third-party doctors had thoroughly examined Leonard and had given him a clean bill of health.

In a fight almost overlooked by the publicity surrounding the Leonard-Hagler fight, former welterweight champion Donald Curry will defend his U.S. Boxing Assn. middleweight title against Carlos Santos today at Caesars Palace, site of the Leonard-Hagler fight.