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

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has revealed that late boxing legend Muhammad Ali was one of his heroes.

Adeboye said the late ex-world heavyweight champion taught him lessons that have shaped his understanding of life’s battles and the importance of divine guidance.

PUNCH Online reports on Tuesday that Adeboye spoke on Sunday while delivering a sermon titled “Divine Champion” at the church’s headquarters in Lagos ahead of the RCCG’s 74th Annual Convention, which begins on August 4.

This was according to a Church Times report of August 2 which stated that the cleric also assured worshippers that this year’s convention would be the best yet.

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

Recalling Ali’s approach before major fights, the RCCG leader said the boxer often unsettled his opponents psychologically before entering the ring.

“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.

“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.

Adeboye said Ali’s tactics illustrated the importance of strategy and preparation, adding that the experience reinforced his belief in the value of good coaching.

“When you are going through the battle of life, you had better have God by your side,” he said. “There are so many things we don’t know. You don’t even know the true nature of the person sleeping beside you in bed or what powers she possesses.

“That man you call your husband—you don’t know how many secret societies he belongs to. It takes God, who knows all things, to teach you how to fight your battles,” the pastor noted.

He urged Christians to maintain a close relationship with God, saying divine wisdom is essential for overcoming life’s challenges.

“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,” Adeboye said.

Drawing a distinction between friendship and mentorship, he added: “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.”

Reflecting on his own boxing days, Adeboye recalled advice from his trainer on recovering from setbacks.

“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-strategize, and then stand up to show there is still strength left in you,” he said.

Encouraging believers not to give up in difficult times, he said: “He will renew your strength. A true champion is the one who laughs last—not someone who never makes mistakes.”

Adeboye concluded by urging Christians to persevere in prayer and faith.

“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 said.