Manny Pacquiao aka "Pac-Man" is one of my all-time favorite pro boxers, both inside and outside the ring. It is well-known that he is a devout Christian. Many other top combat sports competitors, such as MMA star Cris Cyborg, attribute much of their success to their faith. I believe that having a connection to a higher power is gives an athlete a spiritual edge and is beneficial to success as a competitor in Boxing or MMA.
Lately, I have been meditating on a Bible verse that imparts great advice for athletes who want to be their very best. 1 Corinthians 9:26 says "So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something - not just the air." What the Apostle Paul was saying with these sports analogies was that he approached his mission as a Preacher of the Gospel with a clear purpose. He also had discipline. The Apostle did not let anything distract him from his mission. Success in the ring or octagon requires purpose and discipline.
A fighter with an upcoming bout that goes to the gym and half trains or just goes through the motions, is not preparing themselves with purpose. On the other hand, the purposeful fighter knows the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent and works hard to prepare to succeed against that particular opponent. Back in the old days, boxers would forego sex when they were training for a fight. They did not want any distractions during training camp. This took discipline, but they understood that to be a champion you had to exercise discipline and self-control.
Apostle Paul went on to write two-thirds of the New Testament of the Bible and become one of the most influential Christian leaders in history. This would not have been possible without him living his life with purpose and exercising discipline. So I encourage all combat sports competitors, no matter your faith or religion, to take a page from the Apostle Paul and exercise discipline in your pursuit of greatness and re-dedicate yourself to training with purpose.
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