Arnold Schwarzenegger is regarded as one of the best bodybuilders since he started his career at 15. Even today’s gyms contain motivational posters and quotations from Arnold decades after he retired. Many newcomers and renowned bodybuilders of modern times follow his legacy.

Apart from bodybuilding, Arnold is known for his versatility throughout his career. But there is one fact fewer people know about him, which is his love for boxing. Once during an interview, Schwarzenegger advised modern bodybuilders with the example of the legendary Muhammad Ali.

Arnold Schwarzenegger complimenting Ali’s smile

Schwarzenegger revealed how he would tune into boxing events on the radio during high school. After some time, the bodybuilder eventually grew close to Muhammad Ali. He recalled Ali’s smile during an interview with Mens Health.

He stated, “In the old days, we posed every day for half an hour. To flex every muscle in your body is very strenuous and takes a lot of oxygen, but we trained ourselves to smile anyway. It says to the judges, “Look, I’m showing you the biggest muscles in the world, and I’m smiling while I do it.” It’s like Ali used to laugh while he was boxing. It showed his superiority.”

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Further, he added, “Today, by the fourth pose they’ve run out of energy, and they’re shaking. When you see the faces onstage, it’s horrifying.” When Arnold started bodybuilding, it helped him develop his endurance and physique. With time, Arnold became quite interested in boxing as he entered high school. He even revealed how he got influenced by boxing after watching legendary boxers like Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali.

Arnold referring Ali as his idol

The young Arnold had no idea that the radio host he had been listening to would one day become a buddy. Ali and Schwarzenegger’s friendship can be a motivation for the younger generation. Arnie acknowledged that he underwent intensive training and followed a rigid diet routine to build his muscles during Mr. Olympia’s competition.

While in 2016, as the boxing legend took his last breath, many stars gave him a tribute. After his funeral, Arnold addressed him as his inspiration and idol. He told ETonline, “People ask me, ‘Who are some of your idols?’ He’s one of the five people that I always mention because of his generosity and because of his great skills.” It would have been amazing seeing Schwarzenegger and Ali in the same ring in front of each other.

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