Assia Loutfi
What made Muhammad Ali great was not just what he accomplished in the boxing ring, but what he represented outside as a man of justice. He resisted the draft for the Vietnam War at the cost of losing his championship title in boxing. That is greatness, making the sacrifice for what is right even though the easier path would be to continue making fame and fortune from God-given talent.
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
“A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”
“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.”
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
“It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.”
“No, I am not going 10,000 miles to help murder, kill, and burn other people to simply help continue the domination of white slavemasters over dark people the world over. This is the day and age when such evil injustice must come to an end.”
“Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn’t choose it, and I didn’t want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name – it means beloved of God – and I insist people use it when speaking to me and of me.”
“My principles are more important than the money or my title.”
“All through my life, I have been tested. My will has been tested, my courage has been tested, my strength has been tested. Now my patience and endurance are being tested.”
