“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination. ” – Nelson Mandela

“I never did any real fighting after I entered politics. My main interest was in training; I found the rigorous exercise to be an excellent outlet for tension and stress. After a strenuous workout, I felt both mentally and physically lighter. It was a way of losing myself in something that was not the struggle. After an evening’s workout I would wake up the next morning feeling strong and refreshed, ready to take up the fight again.” – Nelson Mandela

“Boxing is egalitarian. In the ring, rank, age, color, and wealth are irrelevant. When you are circling around your opponent, testing his strengths and weaknesses, you do not think about his skin color or social status.” – Nelson Mandela

June 20, 1967 – Muhammad Ali was convicted of refusing to enter into the U.S. armed services

After only 21 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Muhammad Ali guilty. He was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for three years. After a Court of Appeals upheld the conviction, the case went to the U.S. Supreme Court.

During this time, the public began turning against the war and support for Ali began to grow. Ali supported himself by speaking at colleges and universities across the country, where opposition to the war was especially strong. Ali returned to the ring on October 26, 1970, knocking out Jerry Quarry in Atlanta in the third round.

“I’ll beat him so bad he’ll need a shoehorn to put his hat on.” – Muhammad Ali

“Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” – George Halas