Usher is gearing up to play Sugar Ray Leonard in Hands Of Stone; a film about Panamanian boxing hero Roberto Duran that is slated to hit theaters at some point in 2014.
Currently, the upcoming film is in pre-production and Usher is said to be working hard behind the scenes.
Billboard reports that Usher has been prepping for the role as Sugar Ray for over a year and still has to lose 25 pounds before filming commences in October. Hands Of Stone will be shot in Panama.
Usher will be in good company being he is a part of a star studded cast that includes Oscar Award-winning actor Robert De Niro, who is expected to play the memorable boxing trainer Ray Arcel. Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramirez Arellano will be playing the lead role of Roberto Duran.
Usher believes his dancing skills will make him a good fit for the part. “You couldn’t find a more stylized boxer than Sugar Ray Leonard.” Said Usher, according to HotNewHiphop.com “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.”
Information from Hiphopdx.com contributed to this report.
