Singer Usher Raymond is getting a much more serious role playing boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in the movie, "Hands of Stone."
Much more known for his singing career, Usher's film career has been mired in lackluster and pretty forgettable roles like Ira the Janitor in the fifth installment of "Scary Movie". His latest role, however, pits him opposite talented actor Edgar Ramirez, who portrays the main protagonist of the movie, hall of fame boxer Roberto Duran.
The biopic tells the story of Roberto Duran's journey from the dirt-poor young man living in the streets of Panama to one of boxing's biggest star of the 80s. But the thing that boxing fans and movie buffs will definitely watch out for is how Usher and Edgar Ramirez will bring to life one of the fight game's most storied rivalry between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran, who in the span of 10 years fought in three highly anticipated matches, one of which includes the infamous 'No Mas' incident on Nov. 25, 1980.
The real Sugar Ray Leonard was highly impressed with Usher. But that was not the case in the beginning when he first got hold of the news that the RnB singer would play him. So much so that when Hands of Stone did a premiere at the SVA theater he was quoted by NY Daily News saying, "When I first heard that Usher was portraying me I thought it was a joke".
But then Usher began working with him and put in the hours for the movie role.
"I worked with him for a number of months and when I saw him jumping rope and hitting the speed bag, the movement, and although I knew he was a great dancer, it takes a certain rhythm to be a fighter, a certain mentality to be a fighter," said Leonard. "He impressed the hell out of me."
"Hands of Stone" is slated for release on Aug. 26
