“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” is one the most famous sayings in the history of sports, and was uttered by legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Ali is well renowned in the boxing world for his colorful personality and supreme prowess in the ring; he would taunt his opponents, and triumph over fighters that were expected to obliterate him. However, he became a true icon for his dedication to humanitarian issues. Though in his time he was often vilified and feared by many white Americans, he eventually was recognized as one of America’s greatest athletes. In my opinion, Muhammad Ali is a great hero because he fought against injustice at the cost of boxing glory, won many victories in the ring against great odds, and spoke with eloquence and flair in a manner that no other black athlete had done before; I feel that his legendary qualities should ultimately serve as heroic role models for future generations.

Muhammad Ali defeats Sonny Liston (February 25, 1964)

The term hero, I feel, is often misused nowadays and ascribed to anyone who sets an example or does something noble; I personally feel that a true hero is someone who goes above and beyond the actions of the average human. I believe all of Ali’s qualities, even the ones that may not directly relate to justice, add to his heroic character.

Muhammad Ali’s iconic status in the boxing world comes from the exciting style of boxing that he employed to defeat many powerful opponents. His penchant for dodging opponents’ blows and striking with power and precision defines him as a primal warrior hero. Ali’s sport is so much more combative and intense than others like football or basketball; it requires incredible nerve to be willing to put your body at such great risk of permanent harm. It is also worth noting that defeating an opponent in hand-to-hand combat has so much in common with the primal human imagination of a heroic figure; almost all heroic figures in ancient myths are warriors, like Beowulf or Achilles. In a sense, Muhammad Ali is modern myth; his upset victories parallel the triumphs of ancient beings against monsters.

Compilation of Ali’s best skills as a boxer

Ali was also incredibly intelligent and witty when speaking in public, and this trait challenged the racist notion that blacks were stupid and humble. For instance, Ali would consistently trash-talk his opponents and boast about his boxing prowess, often employing rhymes and poetry. This combination of poetic eloquence and arrogance, as well as the skill to back it up, made Ali an icon for black pride in the face of racism in America.

Ali boasts about his ability before his legendary fight against George Foreman, which he won in a stunning upset.

The greatest argument for Ali’s qualities as a hero come from his refusal to be drafted in the name of goodwill and justice during the Vietnam War. I argue there is great heroism in this refusal to be drafted, as Ali was stripped of his championships and lost his passport and boxing licenses in the prime of his career.

Ali argues with a pro-war college student regarding Ali’s refusal to fight.

In conclusion, Muhammad Ali’s skill as a boxer, eloquence in public speech, and devotion to non-violent justice makes him a true hero. I feel that it is important to remember Ali as a hero because there are so few people who shared all the wonderful qualities he had; because of this, he should embody the same role as the ancient heroes of legend.

Artwork of Ali using the words from one of his most famous sayings.