Comments on: The Greatest Muhammad Ali Quotes – Quotes Of A Champion! https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2015/06/30/muhammad-ali-quotes/ Fearless Motivation - Motivational Speeches and Motivational Videos Wed, 21 Aug 2019 22:10:18 +0000 hourly 1 By: Alfred Sonny Piccoli https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2015/06/30/muhammad-ali-quotes/#comment-34707 Wed, 21 Aug 2019 22:10:18 +0000 http://www.fearlessmotivation.com/?p=2286#comment-34707 When I was 17 years old one early evening towards the end of August 1967 I was hanging out with 2 other teenagers named Harpo and Jimmy on Broadway in front of a nightspot named the Camel Club in Newark, NJ.  I will never forget watching a long, black limousine park at the curb and two women wearing shinning black high heels step out from the rear doors.  Then suddenly to my utter amazement, as if in a dream, there stood Muhammad Ali the heavyweight champion of the world.
     To be honest, my immediate reaction was fear.  I had known that Muhammad Ali had changed his name and converted to the Nation of Islam.  My limited understanding of the Black Muslims was based upon the media’s portrayal of them as being a religious sect that advocated segregation because they did not like white people.  I also knew that Ali had just been stripped of his boxing license and was forced to relinquish his heavyweight champion title status because he refused to be inducted and serve in the U.S. Armed Forces based upon religious beliefs.  Consequently, he was sentenced to five years in prison that June in 1967, but remained free pending an appeal.  These thoughts raced through my mind as he approached me. I felt totally insignificant in his presence.  I was sure he would walk right by us three white kids as if we didn’t even exist.  As Ali came closer I felt dwarfed.  I was a skinny kid at 5’10, while he appeared incredibly big and strong.  Muhammad Ali was at the height of his boxing skills.  Although he was stripped of his championship heavyweight belt, he was still as he had once proclaimed to be, “the Duke of the World.”  Somehow I spontaneously shouted out the words, “Hi Champ.”  He smiled as he looked at me and asked, “what are you kids doing out here?”  I replied by explaining that we really didn’t have anywhere really to go and didn’t have much to do. Then in a bold move I actually struck a pose by raising my hands up in a boxing stance and saying jokingly, “But one day I might want to become a fighter.”  In a flash, Ali’s left arm stretched outward landing a palming grip on the top of my head as if it was a basketball.  I immediately yelled, “I give up.”  We all laughed.  I told him I was sorry to hear about all the mess he was going through. Ali then proceeded to explain to us how in life there are times when you have to stand-up for what you believe, even if  there are negative consequences.  Ali with piercing eyes looked at me and said, “Don’t ever back down from a fight that you know is something worth fighting for even if you may not win it.  Because in your heart and soul you know you done the right thing and that is something you can never lose.”
      I am much older now, yet Ali’s words still ring true.  I often have taken comfort remembering when this great ambassador of the world man stopped to talk with and treat a couple of street kids from Newark with respect and dignity.  Ali set the bar high on how I should treat people who might be less fortunate than me.  As the years passed, I eventually found my path, in part from the inspiration Muhammad Ali kindly gave me.  He taught me to dare to seek the courage to attempt greater goals and challenges rather than be concerned with selfish, short term pleasures.  I became a Juvenile Probation Officer serving Essex County for 27 years.  In those years I strived to make others aware they have self worth and always proudly stand up for themselves and, for what is right. I still try to remind others that there is a champion inside us all.   Alfred  Sonny  Piccoli  

]]> By: premiumx https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2015/06/30/muhammad-ali-quotes/#comment-7511 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 11:52:07 +0000 http://www.fearlessmotivation.com/?p=2286#comment-7511 as a reminder

“A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”
Muhammad Ali

“My only fault is that I don’t realize how great I really am.”

]]> By: mike https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2015/06/30/muhammad-ali-quotes/#comment-5197 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 22:34:29 +0000 http://www.fearlessmotivation.com/?p=2286#comment-5197 Just discovered this site, it’s very cool. I’ll have to check out the music!

]]> By: ivan https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2015/06/30/muhammad-ali-quotes/#comment-4732 Fri, 10 Jun 2016 07:13:01 +0000 http://www.fearlessmotivation.com/?p=2286#comment-4732 Ali will always be the greatest of all in the world…long live mohammed Ali

]]> By: Isaac https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2015/06/30/muhammad-ali-quotes/#comment-4685 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 22:03:08 +0000 http://www.fearlessmotivation.com/?p=2286#comment-4685 In reply to Isaac.

I want more of it

]]> By: Isaac https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2015/06/30/muhammad-ali-quotes/#comment-4684 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 22:01:51 +0000 http://www.fearlessmotivation.com/?p=2286#comment-4684 Received more motivation

]]> By: Charles Wagner IV https://www.fearlessmotivation.com/2015/06/30/muhammad-ali-quotes/#comment-4683 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 20:55:29 +0000 http://www.fearlessmotivation.com/?p=2286#comment-4683 There may (are) those that debate Ali’s position in the heavyweight division. But there is no question that he was one of the smartest fighters that ever lived. Not to mention the fact that among men, his countenance was beyond compare.

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