Eye TKO

Surgery for Sugar Ray

From the President of the U.S. to Roberto Duran, everyone called Johns Hopkins' Wilmer Eye Institute last week to wish Sugar Ray Leonard well after surgery to reattach the retina of his left eye. And almost everyone wished he would quit boxing. "Right now, we're not concerned whether his boxing career is in jeopardy," said Mike Trainer, Leonard's lawyer and friend. "His left eye was in jeopardy--that has been our concern." The injury may have been suffered in the Tommy Hearns fight last September, though Leonard did not begin to see a "spot" until ten days before the surgery, while sparring for a welterweight-championship defense. Earnie Shavers and Maurice Hope are among the boxers who returned to the ring after retinal surgery. Surgeon Ronald G. Michels, who operated on Shavers as well, describes Leonard's tear as "much less severe." Leonard is financially secure, but only 26 and in his prime. It will be months before he has to face a decision.

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