In a surprising turn of events, boxing icon Sugar Ray Leonard has found himself entangled in a troubling situation involving his youngest son, Daniel Leonard. The former world champion has made some startling allegations against Daniel after an incident at their family home.
According to reports from TMZ on Wednesday, 25-year-old Daniel Ray Leonard was escorted away from his father’s property by police. The removal followed accusations that he breached a restraining order by attempting to break into the residence.
The incident reportedly involved Daniel trying to access the house by manipulating the exterior door handles. However, it remains unclear whether he successfully entered the home during the attempt.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that Daniel violated an existing restraining order. Subsequently, court documents from Los Angeles County reveal that Sugar Ray Leonard quickly took action by filing for an additional restraining order that same day, as highlighted by the New York Post.
Within this legal filing, the boxing great made a series of disturbing claims about his son, describing him as struggling with addiction and theft. Leonard alleged that Daniel engages in thievery on a daily basis.
In a poignant handwritten statement, Sugar Ray detailed the gravity of his son’s situation, revealing that Daniel has experienced four overdoses, with two instances requiring life-saving intervention at the hospital.
Daniel Ray Leonard is pictured with his dad Sugar Ray and mom Bernadette back in 2017
In February 2025, Bernadette posted a photo of Sugar Ray and Daniel with a cryptic caption which stated: ‘We will get through this faze’
‘He has stolen extreme amounts of money valuable items! He [illegible] steals every day for years! My son Daniel Leonard has been a drug addict for 7 or 8 years at least. His behavior has gotten worse over the years!’
In the file, Sugar Ray also alleged that there were two separate incidents this month which led the former boxing champion to filing for the restraining order.
According to the 70-year-old, one incident occurred at his Pacific Palisades home on May 19. ‘We had a physical altercation where he pushed me and got ugly!’ he said.
‘The police officers were needed at that moment! The police officers came and [Daniel] was escorted off our property because of where things were headed.’
He claims that he was given a temporary restraining order against his son but, the very next day, Daniel attempted to enter the family home, leading to his arrest.
‘I love my son but he has become a danger not only himself but to his family! My wife is extremely afraid along with me daughter Camille!’ Sugar Ray continued.
‘His behavior has gotten worse every day. We haven’t had a day of peace in 9 years which is the reality of his addiction! Scared for my family!’
According to the New York Post, court records showed that a judge swiftly granted Sugar Ray’s request and ordered Daniel to remain at least 100 yards away from the boxing legend and his wife, Bernadette Robi.
The Leonards live in a sprawling $46.5 million estate in the Pacific Palisades, California
More recently, Daniel (R) was pictured alongside the family – and Magic Johnson – last August
The restraining order runs until June 15, which is when a hearing is set to discuss a more permanent resolve to the situation.
Meanwhile, according to jail records, a hearing on Daniel’s alleged restraining violation has been scheduled for June 25.
It is believed that Sugar Ray still lives on a luxurious $46.5 million estate in the exclusive Upper Riviera area of the Pacific Palisades. It has been listed for sale multiple times over the past few years but has not sold.
Daniel is the youngest son of Sugar Ray Leonard and his second wife Bernadette Robi, and his fourth son overall.
Sugar Ray, now 70, had his first son – Ray Jr – with his first wife Juanita Wilkinson in 1973, before adding a daughter – Camille – with Bernadette.
He and Bernadette went on to have another two sons, Jarrel and then Daniel, but their family life has remained private despite the boxing legend’s fame and fortune.
In February of last year, Daniel’s mother Bernadette posted a cryptic caption on Instagram alongside a photograph of Sugar Ray and Daniel – her husband and son.
A photo showed the pair standing together on a beach with Sugar Ray’s arm around Daniel’s shoulder, and the caption read: ‘Happy Valentine’s to my hearts!!! Love you both beyond and we will get through this faze!’
