In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the heavyweight G.O.A.T. admitted that he was scared and nervous to step into the ring for the first time in his life.
Muhammad Ali was just 12 years old at the time which naturally garnered a fear in him to engage in a combat sport. “I was nervous and scared. I was shaking,” he said. However, he was then asked if he went to the gym the next day to which Ali replied. “Yes—every night for a month. I loved it.”he added
This would turn out to be the best decision of his life as he would go on to win the junior Olympics and Golden Gloves competition. Moreover, in hindsight, if Ali would have decided not to pursue boxing it would have robbed us of a legend that would go on to create history.
He was a great physical specimen. Ali was also tall, broad-shouldered, and had a long reach. Moreover, his footwork surpassed every other heavyweight as he moved like a welterweight. His jab was the fastest and most accurate in comparison to others. Ali could throw vicious and beautiful combinations in a matter of seconds leaving his opponents dazed and confused.
This combined with his elocution on the microphone and tough stances on hard-hitting political issues made him the legend that he is known by. boxing legend.