Sugar Ray Leonard: 'My behaviour was not good'

Sugar Ray Leonard has confessed that he struggles to discuss his tumultuous past.

The professional boxer revealed in an interview with Parade that writing his new memoir The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring allowed him to come to terms with his "character defects" and understand what motivated his past behaviour.

"It was really an emotional rollercoaster, but I feel good about it. I'm still a little awkward when it comes to talking about it, but every time I discuss it, it becomes a lot easier," Leonard explained. "It's very difficult to talk about my character defects and my behaviour, which was not good. For me, it was not being as good a father or husband as I could have been.

"But this book is not sad stories, and it's not rags to riches, it's more about triumph. It's overcoming obstacles that I faced and being able to have the courage to let go of any demons or past experiences that's been in my heart for over 30 years. I've finally let that go and I feel lighter. I feel better."

Leonard went on to say that he is continuing to strive to better himself, adding: "I'm a father, husband and friend now. I'm still having trouble multitasking. I haven't got that down yet. I can only do one thing. Carpooling and going to the grocery store is kind of tough! But life is wonderful. I have my wife Bernadette and great kids."

Leonard competed on the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars but was the third celebrity to be eliminated from the ABC series.