AFTER YEARS OF jinking and jiving his way across the canvas, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard is readying his fleet feet for a challenge on the dancefloor.

The former world welterweight, middleweight and super-middleweight champion was among the contestants announced today for the upcoming series of American TV show Dancing with the Stars.

Robinson will be joined by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, WWE superstar Chris Jericho and Ralph Macchio of “The Karate Kid” fame when the new series debuts on 21 March.

When asked yesterday about his chances for success, the boxing great took a philosophical tack.

I think it’s all psychological. I think it’s spiritual. I think it’s all the mental preparation.

Fancy footwork

Leonard is not the first sporting icon to take part in a reality TV dance show. Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC equivalent of Dancing with the Stars, has featured at least one sporting personality in each of its series so far.

English cricket stars Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash won successive series of the show in 2005 and 2006.

Meanwhile, over in Italy, two well-known footballing personalities are taking part in the current series of Ballando con le Stelle. Journeyman defender Christian Panucci and 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi both made their first appearances on the show when it started last week.

Although neither star blew the judges away, both have survived for another week after putting in semi-competent performances.

We’ve included videos of Panucci’s paso doble and Rossi’s football-themed jive below.