Usher Talks Playing Sugar Ray Leonard In "Hands of Stone"

Usher is taking his role as boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming flick "Hands of Stone" very seriously — and it abs-olutely shows.

"My commitment to this character demands that I not only physically get ready, but also become him," the singer said, in an interview with Men's Health magazine for its November issue.

"I train like an athlete every day, believe it or not," he added.



He appears in a boxing-themed workout spread for the magazine's 25th anniversary issue, apparently getting in character as the retired ring legend.

"He's an incredible man," Usher said of Leonard.

It isn't the first time the singer has flexed his acting muscles. Usher explains that he's been able to incorporate his skills as an entertainer — especially as a dancer — into his movie work.

"What he did as a boxer is no different from what I do as a dancer," he said.

The film, which also stars Robert De Niro and "True Blood" star Ryan Kwanten, is set to hit theaters in 2014.


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