I've held "The Greatest" as one of my idols since I was too young to know what made him the greatest.
I can still remember him dancing around the ring making children of men.
In the gym lobbing joke after joke at the media when he wasn't lobbing rights at his training partners.
He always kept those around him entertained.
Always smiling, always on point.
I've always carried that example for myself.
I enjoy inciting laughter between rounds.
Keeping an otherwise heavy, dark environment a happy place.
I've taken bits of his swagger, while dropping most of his cocky bravado.
(Muay Thai is a support of respect and tradition, we learn to be gentlemen in and out of the ring)

However it's not his quick wit and comical demeanor that I'm attempting to emulate the most.
It's his fire.
His self-assured nature.
Whether he be known as Cassius Clay, Cassius X or Muhammad Ali it was certain the one person that never doubted him was himself.
Victory was assured.
Greatness a guarantee.

“Champions aren´t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision.”

-Muhammad Ali

I don't claim to be the greatest just yet.
But my day will come.
My hand, raised high over the crowd.
My day will come.

-Drew