Posted by: A. Adams

I “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”

A few years ago, I had a personal trainer who incorporated boxing into my training regimen. During that time, I took it upon myself to learn as much as I could about Muhammad Ali. He was an amazing fighter and a true all-around champion. I will probably mourn his passing by watching The Greatest with my son. I’ll also light a candle for him while watching one of my all-time favorite interviews. He had a very interesting conversation with Nikki Giovanni.

Muhammad was the greatest, but not just because he won more than 50 boxing matches during his career, or because he was the first boxer to ever win the heavyweight title 3 times. Muhammad Ali was viewed as the greatest because of his life outside of the ring.

Beyond Boxing; here are 3 things that made Muhammad Ali the greatest:

1. Muhammad Ali was a man of principal and peace.

On April 28, 1967, during the Vietnam War, Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the armed forces via the draft. He let the entire world know, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong.” In June 1967, he was found guilty of draft evasion, was sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for three years. He appealed his conviction the same year, and it was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

2. Muhammad Ali was unapologetically Black. Check out why he changed his name from Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. and exactly how he felt about white supremacy here:

3. Muhammad Ali was a philanthropist

“I’ve always wanted to be more than just a boxer. More than just the three-time heavyweight champion. I wanted to use my fame, and this face that everyone knows so well, to help uplift and inspire people around the world.”

Since retiring from the ring, Muhammad Ali is responsible for serving 232 million meals in order to counteract world hunger. He is known for hand delivering food and medical supplies overseas to places like Cote D’Ivoire, Indonesia, Mexico, and Morocco for hungry and sick children. In the U.S., Muhammad Ali started his own non-profit to join the fight against Parkinson’s disease by creating the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center. He himself was diagnosed with the disease in 1984. He worked with other great organizations such as the Special Olympics and the Make A Wish Foundation.

Aside from these, I mentioned earlier that Muhammad Ali had an inspiring confidence. He was pretty, and he knew it. His electrifying presence made it hard not to love him.  May he rest in power.

What is your favorite Muhammad Ali quote? Share it with me @ aishaadams.com