Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has revealed why former world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was his hero, sharing the valuable lessons he learned during his own years as a boxer.
He made this known on Sunday, August 2, while preaching on the topic “Divine Champion” at the church’s headquarters in Lagos, ahead of the RCCG’s 74th Annual Convention.
Assuring his congregation that the 74th convention—which begins on August 4—will be the best one yet, he said, “I learned many things from the late world boxing champion Muhammad Ali and my coach when I was a boxer.”
Recalling Ali’s dominant era in boxing, Adeboye said: “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.”
“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.”
Adeboye noted that Ali’s psychological warfare against Liston was designed to demoralize his opponent and throw him off focus—a strategy likely reinforced by his coach.
Drawing a spiritual lesson from this and his days in the ring, Adeboye emphasized that everyone needs a skilled coach to navigate the battles of life.
“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.”
Adeboye stressed the necessity of a close relationship with God so that when days of trials.come, He will see you through.
Citing instances of betrayal and wickedness in the world, he added: “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.”
According to the RCCG General Overseer, a friend is very different from a coach. ”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 continued: “If you just knocked someone out, they will go on the offensive. The moment you become a champion, everyone becomes a contender for your crown. You think because you are now the leader, everyone accepts you? They will want to knock you out of the way. Many are your friends only because of what they can gain. It is Jesus Christ, your divine coach, who will tell you to keep watching, keep praying, and keep pressing forward.”
Reflecting further on his boxing training, he added: “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 urged believers facing setbacks to call on God during their dark moments. “He will renew your strength. A true champion is the one who laughs last—not someone who never makes mistakes.”
Adeboye concluded by encouraging Christians never to accept defeat: “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.”