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Usher’s acting chops return in a biopic on boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.

Usher will further an acting career that started when he took on the role of Gabe Santora in the 1998 Horror/Sci-Fi/Mystery film The Faculty. The Atlanta, Georgia-based entertainer who is known for his singing, dancing and hit making skills is gearing up to play Sugar Ray Leonard inHands 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 andUsher is 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.”

Usher will make an appearance in another motion picture besides Hands Of Stone in 2013, he will also be in the lighthearted movie The Muppets…Again!. In other news related to Usher, the R&B singer performed with Adam Levine on “The Voice” this Monday. Adam Levine is the Grammy Award-winning Maroon 5 singer that is known in the Hip Hop community for his work with rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent, Mac Miller, and more.