Usher’s year long prep for leading role as Sugar Ray Leonard comes to light.

Usher’s excellence in R&B has carried him into an icon status in the industry, but now the vocalist will be making his way back into film with a lead role in “Hands of Stone,” a biopic about boxing legend Roberto Duran.

Usher will be donning the role of Sugar Ray Leonard and has reportedly been prepping for the film for over a year. Usher spoke about the upcoming role with strong enthusiasm for the project. “You couldn’t find a more stylized boxer than Sugar Ray Leonard,” Usher stated. “He was an incredible motion guy, the way he moved around the ring, and I think my dancing will make it easier for me to pick up his moves. I’ve been working on familiarizing myself with the ring, sparring and just understanding how to move in the ring.”

Usher will be joined alongside Robert De Nrio, Ryan Kwanten and Edgar Ramirez who will be portraying Roberto Duran.

Expect “Hands of Stone” to be released sometime in 2014.

Ben Lester (bjams11)