Muhammad Ali passed away 2 days ago at age 74 after putting quite a dent into the universe.
He was a great boxer. The greatest of all time according to some (especially himself).
And his conscientious objector status to the Vietnam War made him hugely unpopular at the time, and then an icon to an entire generation.
When we remember Ali we often end up thinking about his quips, quotes, and proclamations.
There are so many funny and cocky and insightful things he said. And modern fighters with black belts in trash talking like Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnon owe Muhammad Ali’s mouth a giant debt of gratitude.
Without a doubt he paved the way for them.
But my favorite Ali quote isn’t about how pretty, fast or mean he is, or even how he makes medicine sick….
It’s about the long, arduous road to the championship.
I put it on my Instagram a couple of weeks ago, and I’ll say it again now.
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” — Muhammad Ali
Ain’t that the truth.
For each shiny medal somewhere there’s a giant pile of sweaty laundry and probably some bloody bandages too.
The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare
RIP champ. You’ll be missed.