Later this year, both he and a collection of lucky fans will get the chance to quiz the great man face to face when he jets into the Steel City for a much-anticipated "Evening With" at Sheffield's Hilton Hotel.
And Rhodes - who, alongside running Sheffield Boxing Club, has forged a successful reputation putting together shows with some of the biggest names in the business - is relishing the prospect of meeting his biggest coup yet.
"I think the only person you could get who is bigger would be Ali," he said.
"This guy has done it all and been in some of the biggest contests.
"People speak about being there, seeing it and doing it, well Sugar Ray Leonard actually has."
And he has the CV to prove it.
Equipped with speed, ability and charisma, Leonard filled the boxing void left when Ali retired. With the American public in search of a new boxing superstar, his arrival on the scene was timed with the sort of precision he usually reserved for the ring.
Leonard was named Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s,; starting and ending the decade as a champion. In between, he won an unprecedented five world titles in five weight classes and competed in some of the era's most memorable contests.
There were few things Leonard could not do once the bell rang. But what he did best was analyse his opponents and devise a strategy to overcome them. He found a way to beat stylists, sluggers and brawlers. And beneath the glitz and glamour was a ruthless competitor who never flinched from putting away an opponent when they were hurt. For that reason he is still remembered as one of the finest finishers the sport has ever known.
Leonard first captured the public's imagination after winning a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics. He won the WBC welterweight title in 1979 after stopping Wilfred Benitez in an intriguing bout that pitted together two of the game's master technicians.
"A game of chess" was how one observer described their contest.
After a successful defence, Leonard faced legendary lightweight champion Roberto Duran in what must still be the most anticipated non-heavyweight fight in history. Duran clinched a 15-round decision but Leonard regained the title when the Panamanian famously declared "No Mas" in the eighth round of their rematch.
Junior middleweight champion Ayube Kalule was toppled soon after before Leonard returned to the welterweight division for a unification showdown with WBA champ Thomas Hearns.
Leonard showed the gutsy side to his character when, trailing on all three scorecards, he claimed a 14th-round knockout.
After one more fight, Leonard, suffering from a detached retina in his left eye, retired. He returned to the ring in 1984 and knocked out Kevin Howard only to hang up his gloves once more.
After nearly three years out of action, Leonard returned again and outpointed Marvin Hagler to clinch the middleweight title in 1987.
"I've got to admit I thought Hagler took that one," Rhodes says. "Because I don't think the belt was really ripped away from him."
Leonard added titles four and five in November 1988 when he recovered from an early knockdown to stop Donny Lalonde. At stake that night was the Canadian's WBC light heavyweight title and the vacant WBC super middleweight title.
A controversial draw with Hearns and another points win over Duran followed before another spell away from the game.
Unfortunately he couldn't stay away and lost twice in two fights, the first against WBC super welterweight champion Terry Norris and then to Hector Camacho. It was the first time Leonard had ever been stopped.
Now he has forged a career on the other side of the ropes, running a promotions and management firm as well as making a lucrative living on the appearance circuit.
Sugar Ray Leonard, Sheffield Hilton, October 12 2004. Tickets £100. Telephone 0114 232 6513 or 0774 707 0783.