LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Derby Festival's annual luncheon is promised to be a knockout with legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard as the featured speaker.
The "They're Off! Luncheon" will be Friday, April 19 in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House Hotel. The time-honored kick-off to the Derby Festival begins at 11:30 a.m.
The renowned sports icon, Olympic Gold Medalist and Hall of Famer is also known for his excellence outside the ring. He founded the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation, which is committed to funding life-changing research for pediatric type 1 and type 2 diabetes and helping children build early healthy habits.
“We’re excited to welcome Sugar Ray Leonard back to Louisville to help us kick off this year’s Kentucky Derby Festival,” Matt Gibson, president of the Kentucky Derby Festival, said. “He is a champion both inside and outside the ring and we know he’ll have some inspiring stories to share.”
Leonard’s celebrated career includes three National Golden Gloves titles, two Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championships, the 1975 Pan-American Games crown, and a Gold Medal in boxing at the 1976 Olympic Games. He’s the first boxer to win world titles in five different weight classes. Leonard was even dubbed the “new Muhammad Ali,” by the late Howard Cosell.
In addition to his boxing career, Leonard is a philanthropist, best-selling author, television personality and ringside analyst. Since he founded the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation 14 years ago, the foundation has funded countless research projects and offered life-changing patient care for children living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The "They’re Off! Luncheon," first held in 1957, is the second-oldest event on the Kentucky derby Festival's schedule and kicks off the Festival every year. This year’s event will also feature the presentation of the "Volunteer of the Year Award" and the "Silver Horseshoe Award" for service to the community.
Tickets are $130 each or $1,040 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (502) 584-FEST or click here to buy tickets online.
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