Ali’s place in boxing history as one of the greatest fighters ever is secure. Others have matched his final record of 56 wins and five losses with 37 knockouts, but his opponents’ quality and domination during his prime placed him on a plateau with boxing’s immortals.

Cassius Clay, his birth name, was first directed toward boxing by Louisville police officer and boxing coach Joe E. Martin, who encountered the 12-year-old fuming over a thief’s having taken his bicycle. He told the officer he was going to "whup" the thief. The officer told Clay he had better learn how to box first.

Throughout his career, Ali’s only goal was to be the best. He believed in it and professed it so strongly that everyone simply started to believe him, even before he became champion.

"I hated every minute of training, but I said to myself, ‘Don’t quit…suffer now and spend the rest of your life as a champion.’"

Selling is a lot like boxing…train hard and put in the work, and the results will come. Above everything else, create a belief system you can depend on: it’s one thing to say you want to be a champion, but it’s another to do the work every day that will make you a champion.