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The Poem That Drove Muhammad Ali To Greatness

One of the greatest fighters in the world was inspired by a poem of equal measure

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I recently walked through the halls of the Muhammad Ali Center at Louisville. I was slightly awestruck. Before this visit, I wasn’t exactly the biggest Ali fan. I didn’t grow up during his prime years, and I simply didn’t understand the complexity of his greatness.

According to Ali, he was even the greatest of all time.

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He was a fierce competitor. He was an egomaniac, most likely, but he was also self-aware and grounded. Strong in his convictions, he never lost his superhuman ability to focus.

“The most important thing that I know about the spirit of sport is that one has to be fit both body and mind. Whether it’s boxing, basketball, or badminton, one must be ready to succeed before entering the arena…Long before the lights come up.” — Muhammad Ali

Yet, his amazing story was built on the foundations of a single poem. IF, by Rudyard Kipling, was first published circa 1895 and reflects Victorian-era stoicism. Reminiscent of…