Boxing: Leonard pulls out of fight in Sydney

Sugar Ray Leonard has pulled out of a bout in Sydney and could be ready to call a halt at last to his fighting career. Leonard, 41, the first man to win a world title in five divisions, was to fight his fellow American and the world No 3 World Boxing Association junior middleweight contender, Tony Menefee, on 15 February.

"Leonard gave no reason why he wouldn't come to Australia," the Australian promoter, Bill Morley, said

Janks Norton, Leonard's long-time trainer, stormed out of their Los Angeles hotel after hearing the news. "He was in full training and had agreed terms. All the conditions were fine, the only thing he didn't do was sign a contract," Morley said.

Morley said the American promoter, Mike Acri, had suggested to him that Leonard's decision had cast doubt on his comeback.

Leonard, who won world titles at welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight, returned to the ring last March after a six-year lay-off, losing in five rounds to Hector Camacho.