It is hard to even think of a place to begin when talking about Muhammad Ali. Just seeing his name relays glowing interviews and fight highlights into my mind, along with a strong sense of confidence, and self-belief. My interest in Ali has been there ever since I began boxing. I was fascinated by his ability to dance around the ring with his hands down, and throw his combinations at lightning speed. He was able to win the fight months before they even stepped into the ring, using his mental warfare: getting into the minds of his opponents and making them think he was truly and sincerely insane.

However, what really got me hooked on Muhammad Ali was not simply his performance in the ring, but rather his overall performance as a person, living his life based on what he believes in. Muhammad Ali lived his life the way he wanted to live it, and that is what inspired me and so many others around the world to look up to him as a hero. In a world where being yourself is so hard to do, in a time where being African American was so hard to do, Ali walked the Earth as if he were king, and perhaps he was. The influence he had on blacks during his time was incredible, to say the least, and the influence his very presence had on the world was enough to humble every person around him.

His life was not lived based on stereotypes and criticism, but was lived based on following his faith as being a follower of Islam, and a will towards being the best he can be for God. Even in the years after he was no longer able to fight in the ring, his devotion to what he believed in is something that continues to act as an inspiration to me day after day.

"This life is not real. I conquered the world and it did not bring me satisfaction. God gave me this illness to remind me that I'm not number one, He is."

Even after Muhammad Ali's death, he will still continue to remind us day after day what it means to be a champion. Not only did he stand up against some of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history and win, but he stood up against racism, terrorism, and hatred, and became victorious over them, too. Ali shook up the world, and his legacy will stand long after my life. To me, Muhammad Ali defined the term icon. He defined the term hero. And he will always be remembered for proving to everyone, that he truly was, the greatest.

"I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want." Muhammad Ali, January 17, 1942----June 3, 2016