How Muhammad Ali, my boxing coach taught me valuable life lessons — Adeboye

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has revealed how lessons from late boxing legend Muhammad Ali and his own boxing coach shaped his approach to life’s challenges.

Adeboye, who described Muhammad Ali as one of his heroes, spoke while delivering a sermon titled “Divine Champion” ahead of the church’s annual convention.

Recalling his days as a boxer, the cleric said he learnt the importance of strategy, preparation and having a good coach, lessons he later applied to his Christian faith.

“I learned many things from the late world boxing champion Muhammad Ali and my coach when I was a boxer,” Adeboye said.

He recalled how Ali often attempted to gain a psychological advantage over his opponents before entering the ring by provoking them.

“One of the things I learned from Ali is that before any fight, he would provoke his opponent with insults so they would become furious before stepping into the ring,” he said.

Adeboye cited Ali’s encounter with then-world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston as an example.

“When Muhammad Ali was preparing to defeat then-world boxing champion Sonny Liston, he taunted him so much that by the time they met in the ring, Liston was thoroughly irritated and enraged.

“He spent time in the fight aggressively trying to land a blow on the head of the loudmouthed young Ali because he was angry,” he added.

Drawing lessons from boxing, Adeboye said people needed guidance and strategy to overcome challenges, arguing that Christians should depend on God as they navigate life’s battles.

“When you are going through the battle of life, you had better have God by your side.

“You need Christ. He gives wisdom to the wise. You need Christ to become a champion. You need a good coach. He will teach you wisdom and guide you; He will not allow you to become careless,” he said.

Adeboye also distinguished between the roles of a friend and a coach, saying a good coach constantly pushes an individual towards improvement.

“Your friend is your friend because he likes you just as you are. But a good coach knows you can be better than you currently are. Even if you have just won a fight, he wants to take you back into training so you can keep winning. A good coach will inspire you.

“The best coach you can ever have is Jesus. Even when everything seems fine and right, keep on praying, because immediately after a victory, your enemy goes to work,” he said.

Reflecting further on his boxing experience, Adeboye recalled advice from his trainer about responding to setbacks in the ring.

“My coach used to tell me that when you get knocked down, sit down and wait until the referee counts to eight before getting up. Stay down, rest, re-strategise, and then stand up to show there is still strength left in you,” he said.

He likened the advice to overcoming difficulties in life, urging Christians not to give up after setbacks.

“He will renew your strength. A true champion is the one who laughs last — not someone who never makes mistakes,” Adeboye said.

The cleric urged believers to remain persistent in prayer and faith, saying overcoming setbacks rather than avoiding them entirely is one of the qualities of a champion.

“If you pray and the answer does not come immediately, keep on praying. A righteous person may fall seven times, but he will rise again. You cannot claim to be a real champion until you finish your race on Earth,” he added.