By the time Sugar Ray Leonard ever donned a professional boxing glove, he was already a household name and media darling. Leonard ended a stellar amateur career by winning a Gold Medal at the Summer Olympics in 1976. He turned professional the following year, with his first pro fight pitting him against a tough welterweight named Luis "the Bull" Vega. The fight was set in Baltimore near Leonard's hometown on February 5, 1977. Leonard dominated using his incredible hand and foot speed, and won a unanimous, six-round decision. Following the fight, Leonard donated his gloves to a local gym owner named Joe Poodles, who had operated a bar and gym in Baltimore from the early days of the 20th century. Offered here are the gloves used by Leonard in that debut. These worn gloves consist of red leather with an Everlast label on each wrist. They also include part of the original white laces. Each glove has been signed across the backhand by Sugar Ray Leonard. These gloves have been in the family of Joe Poodles until this year, when they were passed down to his daughter and then his grandson, who has supplied a detailed letter of authenticity for the gloves. The grandson had Leonard sign the gloves and acknowledged Leonard confirming them to be not only the manufacturer and size of his gloves, but also attempting to purchase them back from the family. Comes with a Letter of Authenticity from Craig Hamilton of JO Sports, Inc., and a photograph of Leonard wearing the gloves in the ring against Vega. Many experts consider Ray Leonard to be one of the top three fighters of the past 50 years, and some believe there was nobody better. Extremely rare offering as very little equipment of this great fighter ever comes to public sale. These gloves have been photo-matched.