--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was taught to fighter like Sugar Ray…" description: "\"I was taught to fighter like Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali when I was growing up.\" — Nonito Donaire" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba4/nonito-donaire-12002_fighter_i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-l_299461.png" --- # I was taught to fighter like Sugar Ray Leonard and… ![“I was taught to fighter like Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali when I was growing up.” quote by Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba4/nonito-donaire-12002_fighter_i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-l_299461.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba4/nonito-donaire-12002_fighter_i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-l_299461.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba4/nonito-donaire-12002_fighter_i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-l_299461.png) > “I was taught to fighter like Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali when I was growing up.” [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He was trained by legends, shaping his fighting style. **In simple terms:** Learned from great champions. Key Takeaway Honor mentors. Themes sports legacy training Mood respectful motivational Type sports educational When to use this quote - preparing for fights - coaching youth - building confidence Key Concepts boxing technique role models discipline Questions to Reflect On - Who inspired your discipline? - How do you apply their lessons? A Different Perspective Training may not guarantee success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fighter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighter/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muhammad/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [I respect Muhammad Ali... he was the greatest, he was the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-ruiz-jr/i-respect-muhammad-ali-he-was-the-greatest-he-was-the-best/) [Andy Ruiz Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-ruiz-jr/) > [ I still can’t believe \[ Muhammad Ali \] knows my name. It astounds me he knows who I am. I first met Ali in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-still-can-t-believe-muhammad-ali-knows-my-name-it-astounds-me-he/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [I learned to run backwards from Muhammad Ali. He told me about running backwards because you try to imitate everything you do in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-leonard/i-learned-to-run-backwards-from-muhammad-ali-he-told-me-about-running/) [Sugar Ray Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-leonard/) > [I researched and wrote 'Muhammad Ali: His Life And Times' for two years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hauser/i-researched-and-wrote-muhammad-ali-his-life-and-times-for-two-years/) [Thomas Hauser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hauser/) > [We fought in 1974 - that was a long time ago. After 1981, we became the best of friends. By 1984, we loved each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-foreman/we-fought-in-1974-that-was-a-long-time-ago-after-1981-we-became-the/) [George Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-foreman/) > [I wanted to get in the ring and be like Muhammad Ali.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-canino/i-wanted-to-get-in-the-ring-and-be-like-muhammad-ali/) [Bonnie Canino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-canino/) > [I've been many times to Dubai and the U.A.E., and I have friends that live there. It would be exciting to stage world heavyweight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wladimir-klitschko/i-ve-been-many-times-to-dubai-and-the-u-a-e-and-i-have-friends-that/) [Wladimir Klitschko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wladimir-klitschko/) > [No cares about the Muhammad Ali trophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dereck-chisora/no-cares-about-the-muhammad-ali-trophy/) [Dereck Chisora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dereck-chisora/) > [In fifty years of covering the sport, of course Muhammad Ali is by far the dominant figure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-schaap/in-fifty-years-of-covering-the-sport-of-course-muhammad-ali-is-by-far/) [Dick Schaap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-schaap/) > [One of my favourite fighters to watch ever, and of course before I was a ring announcer, was Muhammad Ali.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buffer/one-of-my-favourite-fighters-to-watch-ever-and-of-course-before-i-was/) [Michael Buffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buffer/) > [Muhammad Ali was a god, an idol and an icon. He was boxing. Any kid that had the opportunity to talk to Ali, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-leonard/muhammad-ali-was-a-god-an-idol-and-an-icon-he-was-boxing-any-kid-that/) [Sugar Ray Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-leonard/) > [If I could've made Muhammad Ali smaller I would have fought him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-martinez/if-i-could-ve-made-muhammad-ali-smaller-i-would-have-fought-him/) [Sergio Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-martinez/) > [To me, Muhammad Ali, he was the greatest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-baffert/to-me-muhammad-ali-he-was-the-greatest/) [Bob Baffert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-baffert/) > [And I remember leaving my place in L.A. and - my father is a big fight fan - and I said, 'Dad, I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilt-chamberlain/and-i-remember-leaving-my-place-in-l-a-and-my-father-is-a-big-fight/) [Wilt Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilt-chamberlain/) > [I think Conor's the Muhammad Ali of fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillon-danis/i-think-conor-s-the-muhammad-ali-of-fighting/) [Dillon Danis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillon-danis/) ## More by Nonito Donaire > [I was always into cartoons and animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-always-into-cartoons-and-animation/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [I was 11 when I started boxing. My brother was fighting before I did, and he got me into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-11-when-i-started-boxing-my-brother-was-fighting-before-i-did/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [I just wanna live the moment and just take every moment and embrace it because life is short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-just-wanna-live-the-moment-and-just-take-every-moment-and-embrace/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [Growing up, I kind of adopted that mentality, going all out, being a warrior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/growing-up-i-kind-of-adopted-that-mentality-going-all-out-being-a/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [I'll bring a flower out there and then give them a peace sign and hopefully they'll make it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-ll-bring-a-flower-out-there-and-then-give-them-a-peace-sign-and/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [Seeing the Mexican fighters, it gave me, physically and mentally, ready for an all our war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/seeing-the-mexican-fighters-it-gave-me-physically-and-mentally-ready/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [A lot of guys just punch with their arms; they don't utilize every part of their muscles they can use. I know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/a-lot-of-guys-just-punch-with-their-arms-they-don-t-utilize-every/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [For punches I never really choose, I take whatever opportunity is given to me. If it's a left, I'll take it. If it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/for-punches-i-never-really-choose-i-take-whatever-opportunity-is/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [I lived my life where I didn't have anything. I lived my life where people picked on me. Now that I am in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-lived-my-life-where-i-didn-t-have-anything-i-lived-my-life-where/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [I need to take a punch in order for me to throw that hook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-need-to-take-a-punch-in-order-for-me-to-throw-that-hook/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [I love my wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-love-my-wife/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [As much as I have respect for him, this is for the crowd. The crowd didn't deserve what happened tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/as-much-as-i-have-respect-for-him-this-is-for-the-crowd-the-crowd/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [All I know is that I'm proud to be Filipino.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/all-i-know-is-that-i-m-proud-to-be-filipino/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [My style is like Bruce Lee, I'm like water. It's everything from defensive, to counters, to offense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/my-style-is-like-bruce-lee-i-m-like-water-it-s-everything-from/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [I wanted to bring that old school mentality of "Fight Me!, Fight me!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-wanted-to-bring-that-old-school-mentality-of-fight-me-fight-me/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) [Explore all 57 Nonito Donaire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) ## More Fighter quotes > [I said that I was gonna smash him in three rounds, and that's what I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-said-that-i-was-gonna-smash-him-in-three-rounds-and-that-s-what-i/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) > [It's not about size, it's a science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-ward/it-s-not-about-size-it-s-a-science/) [Andre Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-ward/) > [I'm not taking him lightly at all. I mean, Heiland, he's a good fighter. He's strong. He comes to fight every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermall-charlo/i-m-not-taking-him-lightly-at-all-i-mean-heiland-he-s-a-good-fighter/) [Jermall Charlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermall-charlo/) > [You've got to be careful against classy fighters, especially counter-punchers because if you go for the finish too early, you can end up getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-froch/you-ve-got-to-be-careful-against-classy-fighters-especially-counter/) [Carl Froch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-froch/) > [“I'm not an alcoholic, I am freedom fighter against the teetotal taliban.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-murray/i-m-not-an-alcoholic-i-am-freedom-fighter-against-the-teetotal-taliban/) [Al Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-murray/) > [I'm a fighter, I love boxing, it's what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-mosley/i-m-a-fighter-i-love-boxing-it-s-what-i-do/) [Shane Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-mosley/) > [I don't mind people want to think Muhammad is the greatest fighter around. Everybody wants to make him great because of his mouth, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-frazier/i-don-t-mind-people-want-to-think-muhammad-is-the-greatest-fighter/) [Joe Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-frazier/) > [I don't walk around looking into cameras and telling people I'm the best fighter in the world just to hear myself talk. I say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-don-t-walk-around-looking-into-cameras-and-telling-people-i-m-the/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [Before The Ultimate Fighter, I was appearing before a couple of hundred people at most. Now, I'm on the card of a Las Vegas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-whittaker/before-the-ultimate-fighter-i-was-appearing-before-a-couple-of/) [Robert Whittaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-whittaker/) > [“She's not the enemy. She's just a dirty fighter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarryn-fisher/she-s-not-the-enemy-she-s-just-a-dirty-fighter/) [Tarryn Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarryn-fisher/) > [I've been able to not only be a fighter, but a thinking fighter, where I can use my insight into the business and politics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-ve-been-able-to-not-only-be-a-fighter-but-a-thinking-fighter-where/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [I was 35 years old and in a position to take a shot at whatever I wanted to try. The Air Force said I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-doyle/i-was-35-years-old-and-in-a-position-to-take-a-shot-at-whatever-i/) [Jerry Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-doyle/) > [You see, at the beginning we weren't fighters. We weren't yellers or throwers, even if we eventually came to be. It would take time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinaw-mengestu/you-see-at-the-beginning-we-weren-t-fighters-we-weren-t-yellers-or/) [Dinaw Mengestu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinaw-mengestu/) > [Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-good-fighter-will-be-terrible-in-his-onset-and-prompt/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [After eight years of Obama one thing is clear: Conservatives want a fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-schlapp/after-eight-years-of-obama-one-thing-is-clear-conservatives-want-a/) [Matt Schlapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-schlapp/) [Browse all 2,705 Fighter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighter/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was taught to fighter like Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali when I was growing up.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nonito Donaire" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-leonard-and-muhammad-ali-when/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fighter" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-leonard-and-muhammad-ali-when/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba4/nonito-donaire-12002_fighter_i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-l_299461.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba4/nonito-donaire-12002_fighter_i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-l_299461.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba4/nonito-donaire-12002_fighter_i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-l_299461.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was taught to fighter like Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali when I was growing up.” — Nonito Donaire", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nonito Donaire", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was taught to fighter like...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-leonard-and-muhammad-ali-when/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-taught-to-fighter-like-sugar-ray-leonard-and-muhammad-ali-when/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```