Marty Denkin, a Californian boxing official, said...

Marty Denkin, a Californian boxing official, said that Sugar Ray Leonard, had been told in advance that he would not be allowed to engage an opponent in the ring Tuesday in an exhibition at the ABC Entertainment Center in Century City. Leonard does not hold a boxing license in California.

Leonard’s attorney, Michael Trainer, disputed Denkin’s remarks: “Ray was never approached by anyone saying he couldn’t train (in Los Angeles).”

Just as he was about to put on a sparring show for some 3,000 spectators, inspector Frank Adair of the state’s Athletic Commission blocked the display. Leonard cannot be licensed to fight in California because the state prohibits issuing a license to any fighter who has had retinal damage repaired.