Muhammad Ali's Six Core Principles

Learn more about the leading tenants around which Muhammad Ali's life and legacy are framed.

Muhammad Ali in Nigeria sitting on top of a car greeting a huge crowd of people in 1964.

The foundation of Greatness

The Muhammad Ali Center tells the story of Muhammad Ali around the six core principles that defined his life – Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect and Spirituality.

Six Core Principles

Black and white photo of Muhammad Ali in a jacket pointing

CONFIDENCE

Belief in oneself, one's abilities, and one's future

Black and white photo of Muhammad Ali with Martin Luther King, Jr.

CONVICTION

Having courage to stand behind a belief, despite pressure to do otherwise

Black and white photo of Muhammad Ali in boxing gear in a locker room

DEDICATION

The act of devoting all of one's energy, effort, and abilities to perform a certain task

Black and white photo of Muhammad Ali sitting in a room full of students

GIVING

To present voluntarily without expecting something in return

Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell with a microphone

RESPECT

Esteem for, or a sense of the worth or excellent of, oneself and others

Black and white photo of Muhammad Ali praying with several other Muslim men

SPIRITUALITY

A sense of awe, reverence, and inner peace inspired by a connection to all of creation and/or that which is greater than oneself.

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Muhammad Ali Center