Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. – Mark Twain

On June 3rd 2016, one of the brightest of last century’s lights finally went out.

Whilst the tag legend is often attributed to those that truly deserve such a title, it is also lazily thrown at those that do not.

For Muhammad Ali, no cliched superlatives applied whilst he graced us nor do they suit posthumously. The seemingly complex character of Ali contained qualities that elude so many of us during our time here.

Ali was so much more than a boxer. He was so gifted, so driven and so determined that he could have applied his talents to almost anything. How many opportunities would there have been for an African American to shine in the dark days of the south?

Whether success be as a result of hard work, whether it be destiny, whether it be fate or whether it be some intervention that we cannot comprehend, some people are just meant to make it. Did Ali choose boxing or did boxing choose him?

To be someone, you have to be something else.

Ali’s take on the art of pugilism was unique. The boxing ring was his stage. Ali danced with his hands down and his head held high but his hand speed was prodigious. Adopting this teasing, unconventional and risky style, he not only dismissed his opponents, he also squatted away the pre-fight instruction of “protect yourself at all times.”

How many of us have faced the biggest battle of our lives confident that victory was ours when others feared that defeat was certain?

Sonny Liston, as powerful a boxer as you could imagine a heavyweight to be was unarguably the overwhelming favorite when he first fought a glib Cassius Clay. By the time they met the following year, Cassius Clay had become the more articulate Muhammad Ali. The change of name signifying the emancipation from the enslaved to the free. Liston lost both bouts. Ali was well on his way to becoming “The Greatest.”

How can I shoot these poor people? Just take me to jail. – Muhammad Ali

At the peak of his powers as a boxer and as a spokesperson for a generation, Ali selflessly denied himself further sporting glory. As a conscientious objector and a non-violent Muslim, Ali refused to be inducted into the US army. He was banned from boxing for three years but on appeal, escaped a period of imprisonment. Inevitably, there was public outcry and Ali was ostracised by white America.

Ali’s stance on the war with Vietnam sent shockwaves and sought to awaken the very society of the States from its slumber.

Maybe he can pull off a miracle but against George Foreman, so young, so strong, so fearless. Against George Foreman who does away with his opponents one after another in less than three rounds. It’s hard for me to conjure with that. – Howard Cosell

On October 30th 1974, Ali stepped into the ring in Kinshasa, Zaire. His opponent was the awesome and undefeated George Foreman. For many, the fight was over before it began. No longer able to evade an onslaught by dancing as he once did, Ali adopted the rope-a-dope tactic. Leaning back on the ropes, he allowed an increasingly frustrated and furious Foreman to punch himself out. Ali waited and waited. Finally, a swift combination of punches sent Foreman spiralling onto the canvas.

Muhammad Ali was a true champion of the world, a fighter in and out of the ring and a prophet. His message contained no ambiguity. Today, that message echoes to those that feel a sense of entitlement.

Don King and President Obama have eloquently eulogised but the ultimate epitaph was self-scribed.

I’m gonna show you how great I am. – Muhammad Ali