If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
I admit, before touring the Muhammad Ali Center, I didn’t know much about the man behind the legend, only he was a great boxer and a three time world heavy weight champion. I didn’t realize he had worked tirelessly on humanitarian efforts around the world, fought against racism and stripped of his title for standing up for his beliefs. Born Cassius Clay in 1942, he began training as a boxer after his bicycle was stolen from the movies one night. Determined to be the best boxer in the world, he trained daily, watched what he put in his body, and carried a copy of the poem, IF, by Rudyard Kipling, with him for inspiration. His training paid off as he won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1960.
…
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling, IF
Rudyard Kipling, IF
Muhammad Ali entered the professional world of heavyweight boxing and won match after match. But public sentiment was not on his side when he converted to the Nation of Islam, changed his name and refused to accept the 1967 draft notice. Stripped of his heavyweight title, he was not allowed to box for three and a half years. When he was finally allowed to rejoin the sport, he had to fight to win back his title. Today, his center focuses on the six core principles he lives by and is an interactive, learning experience for the entire family.
After watching a film detailing his life, we stepped out into the If You Can Dream Orientation theater which details the six core principles Muhammad Ali allows to guide him in his life; Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Respect, Spirituality and Giving. My favorite area on this floor was a recreation of his Deer Lake Training Camp entitled, “Train with Ali.” Not only could kids (and adults!) try shadow boxing, they could learn the techniques of the sport by watching a video by Laila Ali, and practice their moves. A large school group was in the Train with Ali camp while we were there and the kids were having an amazing time.
A temporary exhibit, on display until September 7th, called Eat Well, Play Well covered much of the area of the next floor and was designed to help children learn basic principles of nutrition and physical education through hands on learning. The staff joked that it was so much fun they enjoyed playing there when no one else was around.
A temporary exhibit, on display until September 7th, called Eat Well, Play Well covered much of the area of the next floor and was designed to help children learn basic principles of nutrition and physical education through hands on learning. The staff joked that it was so much fun they enjoyed playing there when no one else was around.
The center is not only a tribute to Mr. Ali’s contribution to the world of boxing, it is a monument of hope. Mr. Ali sums up his purpose in life with this quote that reminds us all to Be Great and Do Great Things.
If You Go:
- The Center is open from 9:30 Am -5:30 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 PM on Sundays.
- Admission is $9 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-12.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The center has several flights of stairs.
- Flash photography is not permitted in the museum and some exhibits cannot be photographed due to copyright laws.
- The center is located at 144 East 6th Street, a short walk from the Galt House Hotel.
We received admission to the Muhammad Ali Center for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Last month, I travelled all the way from Germany to Louisville to visit the Ali-Center. I’m a fan and I can honestly say, without being bashfull, that I know very, very much about Muhammad Ali. So I didn’t learn much there and hadn’t expected to. BUT: I was so happy and touched at how lovingly and respectfully Muhammad Ali’s life is presented and preserved there, perfectly balancing his global impact as a fighter first and then as a humanitarian. While I was in town, I went there three times.
On one occasion, I even got a tour by a very lovely member of the staff. I can only encourage everyone
who is even remotely interested in making this a better world, or is looking for personal Inspiration – go there, you won’t regret it. I’ m proud and happy to be a member of the Center, which I will remain for a long, long time.
Wow! That’s so cool, didn’t realize that this exists. Very cool!
Hello Christine,
go at a weekend. When I went on a Sunday, lot’s of young people and children were there.
Greetings from Germany
Friederike (or Frederica, as Americans pronounce it :-))
Sorry, Christine, I meant to answer to Stefani
I don’t know that much about him either. This would be an interesting place to take the family.
I had never heard of the Muhammad Ali center!! What a neat place to visit, I don’t know that much about him.
Muhammad Ali, such an inspiration! I never knew a lot of these things about him until now. Would love to visit this place some day.
I had no idea Muhammad Ali was such a deep guy. What an inspirational man. If everyone followed his example of self improvement and sticking to your guns, the world would be a much better place.
I am like you, I really didn’t know too much about him… hubby is a huge fan and could talk about him for hours… HA! Sounds like a great place to visit!
I would LOVE to visit there. I love learning about influential people like this and could spend hours looking around at all the exhibits.
I knew a little about Muhammad Ali, but not this much! Thank you for sharing, that looks like a really cool and educational center!