--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When my title was taken away boxing died." description: "\"When my title was taken away boxing died.\" — Muhammad Ali" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/muhammad-ali-386_boxing_when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died_2703383.jpg" --- # When my title was taken away boxing died. ![“When my title was taken away boxing died.” quote by Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/muhammad-ali-386_boxing_when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died_2703383.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/muhammad-ali-386_boxing_when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died_2703383.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/muhammad-ali-386_boxing_when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died_2703383.jpg) > “When my title was taken away boxing died.” [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Losing a title erased his identity as a boxer. **In simple terms:** Without his title, boxing ceased to exist for him. Key Takeaway Find identity beyond external accolades. Themes identity pride loss Mood determined thoughtful Type sports self-help When to use this quote - career change - retirement - mental health - coaching Key Concepts psychology self-concept Questions to Reflect On - What defines you beyond your achievements? - How can you maintain purpose after a setback? A Different Perspective Titles are external; personal worth persists regardless. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Away Boxing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/away-boxing-2750466/) [Boxing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boxing/) [Boxing Died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boxing-died-2750465/) [Died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/died/) [Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken/) [Title Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/title-taken-2750467/) [Titles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/titles/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [I feel that when you are a world champion, your title has to be taken away from you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-canino/i-feel-that-when-you-are-a-world-champion-your-title-has-to-be-taken/) [Bonnie Canino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-canino/) > [Sugar Ray wouldn't give me a rematch, and that's the reason I walked away from boxing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-hagler/sugar-ray-wouldn-t-give-me-a-rematch-and-that-s-the-reason-i-walked/) [Marvin Hagler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-hagler/) > [A lot of the athletes moved away from boxing, into UFC - which I think is really crazy, where they elbow to the head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-cooney/a-lot-of-the-athletes-moved-away-from-boxing-into-ufc-which-i-think/) [Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-cooney/) > [I could walk away from boxing tomorrow, if I choose to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-groves/i-could-walk-away-from-boxing-tomorrow-if-i-choose-to/) [George Groves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-groves/) > [I have the world heavyweight title not because it was 'given' to me, not because of my race or religion, but because I won…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-have-the-world-heavyweight-title-not-because-it-was-given-to-me-not/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Nobody knows what the future holds, but right now, I'm cool and comfortable and having no second thoughts at all about retirement. I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-mayweather-jr/nobody-knows-what-the-future-holds-but-right-now-i-m-cool-and/) [Floyd Mayweather, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-mayweather-jr/) > [I was lucky, from the age of 12 I had boxing talent and was good for my age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-was-lucky-from-the-age-of-12-i-had-boxing-talent-and-was-good-for/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I just felt the power and the meanness of the man I was messing with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-just-felt-the-power-and-the-meanness-of-the-man-i-was-messing-with/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [It all started to come together when I realized that boxing was how I was going to succeed in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/it-all-started-to-come-together-when-i-realized-that-boxing-was-how-i/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [The outgoing and spontaneous person that the world knew while I was boxing was a persona that I created to sell tickets and promote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/the-outgoing-and-spontaneous-person-that-the-world-knew-while-i-was/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [If the boxers are a little more colorful, talk a little like I did and just do half as much as I did for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/if-the-boxers-are-a-little-more-colorful-talk-a-little-like-i-did-and/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I'm gonna have to be killed before I lose, and I ain't going to die easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-gonna-have-to-be-killed-before-i-lose-and-i-ain-t-going-to-die/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I have been so great in boxing they had to create an image like Rocky, a white image on the screen, to counteract my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-have-been-so-great-in-boxing-they-had-to-create-an-image-like-rocky/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn't have said. Called him names I shouldn't have called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-said-a-lot-of-things-in-the-heat-of-the-moment-that-i-shouldn-t/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I'm too fast. I'm too smart. I'm too pretty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-too-fast-i-m-too-smart-i-m-too-pretty/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) ## More by Muhammad Ali > [There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-are-more-pleasant-things-to-do-than-beat-up-people/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I've never let anyone talk me into not believing in myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-ve-never-let-anyone-talk-me-into-not-believing-in-myself/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I'm too fast. I'm too smart. I'm too pretty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-too-fast-i-m-too-smart-i-m-too-pretty/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I don't count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. That is when I start counting, because then it really counts.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-don-t-count-my-sit-ups-i-only-start-counting-when-it-starts-hurting/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn't have said. Called him names I shouldn't have called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-said-a-lot-of-things-in-the-heat-of-the-moment-that-i-shouldn-t/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Many people are quick to say that we are not recognized by Muslims in the East . And I start with the Honorable Elijah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/many-people-are-quick-to-say-that-we-are-not-recognized-by-muslims-in/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I have been so great in boxing they had to create an image like Rocky, a white image on the screen, to counteract my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-have-been-so-great-in-boxing-they-had-to-create-an-image-like-rocky/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Money and riches don't mean nothing to me. I don't care nothing about being no rich individual. I'm not living for glory or for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/money-and-riches-don-t-mean-nothing-to-me-i-don-t-care-nothing-about/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Allah is the Greatest. I'm just the greatest boxer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/allah-is-the-greatest-i-m-just-the-greatest-boxer/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [My wealth is in my knowledge of self, love, and spirituality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/my-wealth-is-in-my-knowledge-of-self-love-and-spirituality/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [We followed the Honorable Elijah Mohammed, who is the boss. And we don't waste a lot of time arguin' about a dead black man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/we-followed-the-honorable-elijah-mohammed-who-is-the-boss-and-we-don/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I'm gonna have to be killed before I lose, and I ain't going to die easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-gonna-have-to-be-killed-before-i-lose-and-i-ain-t-going-to-die/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [If some black man go out and start something, a riot or something or, I'm not going to jump in it and get killed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/if-some-black-man-go-out-and-start-something-a-riot-or-something-or-i/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [If you want to be equal with me, you can get your own Rolls-Royce, your own house and your own million dollars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/if-you-want-to-be-equal-with-me-you-can-get-your-own-rolls-royce-your/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) [Explore all 609 Muhammad Ali quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) ## More Boxing quotes > [You know, it brings in a lot of different people; you take people off the street, and kids, and people from all different walks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-lamy/you-know-it-brings-in-a-lot-of-different-people-you-take-people-off/) [Michele Lamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-lamy/) > [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/) > [Apart from my grandad, none of my family had really been into boxing so the sport was never discussed much at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-taylor/apart-from-my-grandad-none-of-my-family-had-really-been-into-boxing/) [Josh Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-taylor/) > [You don't think. It's all instinct. If you stop to think, you're gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-robinson/you-don-t-think-it-s-all-instinct-if-you-stop-to-think-you-re-gone/) [Sugar Ray Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-robinson/) > [I actually like boxing away from home. It takes the pressure off you a little bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-degale/i-actually-like-boxing-away-from-home-it-takes-the-pressure-off-you-a/) [James DeGale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-degale/) > [Whether it's Marcos Maidana, Shawn Porter, Amir Khan or Kell Brook, there are a lot of fights out there that I think would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-thurman/whether-it-s-marcos-maidana-shawn-porter-amir-khan-or-kell-brook/) [Keith Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-thurman/) > [I'm a fighter, I love boxing, it's what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-mosley/i-m-a-fighter-i-love-boxing-it-s-what-i-do/) [Shane Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-mosley/) > [I first got into boxing when I was quite young. I was about 12 when I won my first boxing match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-parker/i-first-got-into-boxing-when-i-was-quite-young-i-was-about-12-when-i/) [Joseph Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-parker/) > [Boxing can be so important to young people, it keeps you off the street and you can channel your energy and aggression in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-benn/boxing-can-be-so-important-to-young-people-it-keeps-you-off-the/) [Nigel Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-benn/) > [I'm too fast. I'm too smart. I'm too pretty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-too-fast-i-m-too-smart-i-m-too-pretty/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I somewhere along the way became fascinated with exploring characters who are willing to put themselves into violent situations, whether it's football, hockey, boxing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-berg/i-somewhere-along-the-way-became-fascinated-with-exploring-characters/) [Peter Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-berg/) > [I liked wrestling a lot better than boxing. I remember thinking at that time that wrestling was a pure demonstration of strength, which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-carpenter/i-liked-wrestling-a-lot-better-than-boxing-i-remember-thinking-at/) [Scott Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-carpenter/) > [I always tried to be different from everyone else. Then I found out about boxing. That was the way I could be different from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riddick-bowe/i-always-tried-to-be-different-from-everyone-else-then-i-found-out/) [Riddick Bowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riddick-bowe/) > [One day we'll have championship boxing in Cleveland and people will support it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-porter/one-day-we-ll-have-championship-boxing-in-cleveland-and-people-will/) [Shawn Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-porter/) > [I've grown up with Bollywood, and I continue to enjoy it. But boxing remains my passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijender-singh/i-ve-grown-up-with-bollywood-and-i-continue-to-enjoy-it-but-boxing/) [Vijender Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijender-singh/) [Browse all 2,214 Boxing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boxing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When my title was taken away boxing died.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Muhammad Ali" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boxing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/muhammad-ali-386_boxing_when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died_2703383.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/muhammad-ali-386_boxing_when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died_2703383.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/muhammad-ali-386_boxing_when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died_2703383.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When my title was taken away boxing died.” — Muhammad Ali", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Muhammad Ali", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When my title was taken away...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/when-my-title-was-taken-away-boxing-died/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```