Read on Twitter
THE STOIC BOXERS
These fighters represent the Ancient Philosophy of Stoicism in & out of the Ring.
Read on if you want to know how to live your life as a champion.
//THREAD//
These fighters represent the Ancient Philosophy of Stoicism in & out of the Ring.
Read on if you want to know how to live your life as a champion.
//THREAD//
The boxers listed aren't always the quiet & humble type as Stoicism is commonly associated with.
Whether it be in or outside of the ring, their legacies are defined by 2 things:
Actions & Convictions.
This list will be frequently updated but for now, on to the list
Whether it be in or outside of the ring, their legacies are defined by 2 things:
Actions & Convictions.
This list will be frequently updated but for now, on to the list
1. MUHAMMAD ALI
You know the name.
An icon that transcended sport, Ali is most known for his legendary fights & brash, bold persona.
These both will be talked about till the end of time.
However, his most Stoic moment came OUT of the Ring.
An icon that transcended sport, Ali is most known for his legendary fights & brash, bold persona.
These both will be talked about till the end of time.
However, his most Stoic moment came OUT of the Ring.
In 1966, Ali refused to be drafted into the Military.
He was stripped of his World Titles and refused a boxing license. Thus, he was unable to compete from 25-29.
His ATHLETIC PRIME.
Stolen from him simply because he stood up for what he believed.
He was stripped of his World Titles and refused a boxing license. Thus, he was unable to compete from 25-29.
His ATHLETIC PRIME.
Stolen from him simply because he stood up for what he believed.
Ali likely would've had the same job as our next boxer, used to boost troop morale not kill the enemy.
His life wasn't on the line yet he held true at the cost of his career.
Similarly, Seneca was exiled at the peak of his political post.
He even inspired Ali's greatest quote.
His life wasn't on the line yet he held true at the cost of his career.
Similarly, Seneca was exiled at the peak of his political post.
He even inspired Ali's greatest quote.
“I don’t complain about the lack of time...what little I have will go far enough. Today - this day - will achieve what no tomorrow will fail to speak about. I will lay siege to the gods and shake up the world.”
- Seneca
Sound familiar to you?
- Seneca
Sound familiar to you?
2. JOE LOUIS
Joe Louis is regarded as one of (if not) the greatest heavyweights of all time.
His Championship reign saw him conquer 26 opponents from 1937-49.
66-3 professional record.
These records are unheard of in today's boxing scene. This man was an absolute wrecking machine.
His Championship reign saw him conquer 26 opponents from 1937-49.
66-3 professional record.
These records are unheard of in today's boxing scene. This man was an absolute wrecking machine.
He competed in the most cinematic fight ever, avenging an earlier loss against Max Schmeling at Yankee Stadium.
Building up to WW2, these fighters represented their nations at the height of tensions.
Joe: USA
Max: Nazi Germany
Building up to WW2, these fighters represented their nations at the height of tensions.
Joe: USA
Max: Nazi Germany
***BONUS***
Check out this interview from @TeddyAtlasReal and @joerogan describing the event
Magical stuff.
Check out this interview from @TeddyAtlasReal and @joerogan describing the event
Magical stuff.
Overall, this fight was an embodiment of many things:
- Good vs. Evil
- Overcoming a Loss
- Uniting of a Nation
That's what Stoicism (and philosophy) is all about.
Setting examples of virtue for others to live by through action.
Joe Louis inspired with every punch.
- Good vs. Evil
- Overcoming a Loss
- Uniting of a Nation
That's what Stoicism (and philosophy) is all about.
Setting examples of virtue for others to live by through action.
Joe Louis inspired with every punch.
Joe would serve in WW2, visiting troops to put on exhibition fights & boost morale.
Military PR at its finest, but Joe didn't do it for the government.
He did it for the men.
He'd go into debt buying tickets for troops, & refused to fight for segregated crowds.
Military PR at its finest, but Joe didn't do it for the government.
He did it for the men.
He'd go into debt buying tickets for troops, & refused to fight for segregated crowds.
Joe Louis was a quiet man, even called the "Ring Robot" for his lack of emotion.
We don't remember the Brown Bomber for the brashness of his present-day counterparts, but for his actions.
His way of doing mirrored that of Epictetus:
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."
We don't remember the Brown Bomber for the brashness of his present-day counterparts, but for his actions.
His way of doing mirrored that of Epictetus:
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."
3. ANDRE WARD
Andre Ward is not the flashiest fighter, nor is he the loudest, but make no mistake:
He is one of the BEST fighters ever.
- '04 Olympic Gold Medalist
- 32-0 as a pro
- Won the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament
Think Floyd Mayweather without the boasting of dominance.
He is one of the BEST fighters ever.
- '04 Olympic Gold Medalist
- 32-0 as a pro
- Won the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament
Think Floyd Mayweather without the boasting of dominance.
This is how Stoicism compliments Ward.
As he says:
“The way my father raised me, we don’t pat ourselves on the back. We don’t call ourselves great, we let other people do that.”
Legacy cannot truly be self-proclaimed.
It is written by those who inspire excellence in others.
As he says:
“The way my father raised me, we don’t pat ourselves on the back. We don’t call ourselves great, we let other people do that.”
Legacy cannot truly be self-proclaimed.
It is written by those who inspire excellence in others.
Andre Ward would be commended by Epictetus:
"If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realize you have compromised your integrity.
If you need a witness, be your own."
This was best illustrated in his 2 fights with Sergey Kovalev.
"If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realize you have compromised your integrity.
If you need a witness, be your own."
This was best illustrated in his 2 fights with Sergey Kovalev.
The first fight was a close battle, w/Ward getting knocked down in the 2nd rd.
He battled his way back to winning a split decision.
Many found the result unsatisfying.
Not Ward.
Rather than take his W & ride off, he went RIGHT back into a rematch and won by TKO.
He battled his way back to winning a split decision.
Many found the result unsatisfying.
Not Ward.
Rather than take his W & ride off, he went RIGHT back into a rematch and won by TKO.
The first fight ended in controversy.
The second ended it all.
With the wisdom above, Ward seems content in retirement & solidified the legacy he built.
He did what he believed was right & is a fighter all need to study (whether you fight or not).
A true Boxer Philosopher.
The second ended it all.
With the wisdom above, Ward seems content in retirement & solidified the legacy he built.
He did what he believed was right & is a fighter all need to study (whether you fight or not).
A true Boxer Philosopher.
This thread was inspired after I finished reading "Lives of Stoics" from @RyanHoliday
A great collection of stories & lessons from Stoic figures, both legendary and unknown.
Stories hold the keys to change.
Real-life examples are irreplaceable.
Can't recommend it enough.
A great collection of stories & lessons from Stoic figures, both legendary and unknown.
Stories hold the keys to change.
Real-life examples are irreplaceable.
Can't recommend it enough.
I'll be adding more boxers to this list, so if you don't want to miss out:
1. Follow me
2. Like this thread
3. Retweet this thread
I've made it easy by linking the top tweet right here https://twitter.com/crack_jowe/status/1331004309979484169?s=20
1. Follow me
2. Like this thread
3. Retweet this thread
I've made it easy by linking the top tweet right here
https://twitter.com/crack_jowe/status/1331004309979484169?s=20
