muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript

He is also often regarded as one of 'the greatest' athletes to have ever existed. If you attack me, Im not in no foolish movement. Im not that big of a fool. Every intelligent person wants their child to look like him. Because I look at two other men fighting and I think, I must be a fool. I was baptized when I was twelve, but I didn't know what I was doing. We love the classics , Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee., I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was., Dont count the days; make the days count., Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world theyve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. And the flag is going dun-dun-dun-dun. I gave him a whooping and a spanking because I was looking towards those who backed him. And if I hurt my man Im going to let him go and Im not going to kill him just because somebodys watching. And hes sitting there all dressed up with his beer and ha ha ha ha ha and theyre just fighting. And I aint that much in love with no woman to go through that hell - aint no one woman that good. In The Greatest: My Own Story, Ali says, Its the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. My way of joking is to tell the truth. I done handcuffed lightning, and throw thunder in jail. Ali was not the tallest boxer, nor was he as bulky as most other boxers of his time, his punches were not the strongest, but he was still the best fighter of his time. I call him Muhammad Ali 'cause that's what he wants. While you dont necessarily have to be a poet, think of delivering key lines in the form of 140-character tweets. Muhammad Ali: "I wear one suit a day, I can only eat one meal a day, I can drive one car a day". America. The man who annihilated Floyd Patterson twice. They have alienated many from learning about Islam. Because I can control it. I am the greatest! While Alis pre-fight quotes will live through the test of time, dont skip on his speeches outside the ring. Muhammad Ali was a once-in-a-generation athlete who truly earned his nickname of " The Greatest " for his prowess in the boxing ring. I beat people up. Cite This Essay. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Then I fought the rough Oscar Bonavena - the man who almost whooped Joe Frazier. I respected him then, and I respect him now. I fear aeroplanes. % On George Foreman and the "Rumble in the Jungle", "Muhammad Ali was also great for civil rights" by Mark Wiedmer, in, Ali: The Official Portrait of "The Greatest" of All Time, Muhammad Ali In His Own Words: Six of His Best Quotes to Live By, 'The white man is the devil' what the Nation of Islam taught Muhammad Ali, Presidential Candidates Proposing to Ban Muslim Immigration to the United States, David Frost interviews Muhammad Ali (video clip), "When Clay shook up the world" (24 February 2004), Regarding the Vietnam War and conscription (1967), The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey, "Cassius Clay Booed As He Gets Decision Over Jones; No More Forecasts", "'Living legend' still commands respect of peers" by Andrew Baker in, https://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Muhammad_Ali&oldid=3210825, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. MA: If a man dreamed to be, they better wake up and apologise. I am still "The Greatest." This I believe. Last night I cut the light off in my bedroom, hit the switch and was in the bed before the room was dark. Muhammad Ali - I Am The Greatest Speech Fighting Centre Subscribe 33K Dislike 219 Share Best HALLOWEEN COSTUMES of 2022 | Wholesome Moments Tai Rebuilds Subscribe Like Dislike. Can I ask you when you were first aware, when you were a child, of the differences between black and white? The government wanted him to change jobs. He put in a book how bad he felt that he had let down Frank Sinatra. And I said to myself, the champion of the whole world can whoop every man in Russia, every man in America, every man in China, every man in Japan, every man in Europe - every man in the whole world. Every time I read the paper they say, Joe Frazier, he played an area that held ten thousand and 37 people showed up. Do they have a lot of bathrooms in Heaven?. I done handcuffed lightning. Ali explained the various . In Hawaii they closed all the factories and had televisions on every street corner and people came out to watch the fight on the streets. Nobody. No Im not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. MP: Thats because societys fault. And what am I going to tell you? Did you all see Tarzan over here? MA: I dont fear for that. I pulled off him deliberately, blood pumping and gushing. Also remember that when presenting information, rhythm and timed pauses are key to retaining an audience and delivering an impactful message. At the time, the television interview was deemed edgy. And I was due to fight him in Las Vegas and I was on television saying something like this. But I get up every day and try to live life to the fullest because each day is a gift from God. Id had about 35 fights so I came up on this show. Before his fight with Archie Moore (1962), as quoted in. On training, as quoted by Pete Axthelm and Peter Bonventre in "Ali: Born Again!,". Humble people, I've found, don't get very far. Read Previous Read Next I had to go to see what he would do - would he win or lose? I'm so mean, I make medicine sick. And I heard her tell the manager, and he said, Well, hes got to go out. They put me out. "Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And its been happening and they never get the ones. stream It's a lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself. When you say separation, what youre saying is that black people must do something for themselves and not always beg white people to move in to their neighbourhoods. I dont see the audience. June 3, 201602:13. MA: Well I wrote about this Africa prison killing the other day. Ali photo by John Lair. I done something new for this fight. Mainly he talks about the American white man. It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled. I always wondered why Tarzan is the King of the Jungle in Africa, he was white. And I always wondered why I had to die to go to Heaven. And still, the heavyweight champion of the whole world, Cassius Clay. It's just a job. Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. Soon this will be old news. I fought Jerry Quarry, gave him a chance. And that brought us back to his spoken word album he made in 1963, "I Am The Greatest." Later I found out that this man worked for the show. I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior, most scientific, most skillfullest fighter in the ring today. This example of perseverance in the face of impossible odds is a beautiful analogy to what happens in our lives. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. MP: Youve talked about being pretty and fighting clever. Grease that skillet. And Mary had a little lamb with feet as white as snow, and Snow White, and everything was white. But Elijah Muhammad has been on record as saying he believes white men are devils. Get up and say Elijah Muhammad is wrong when he says they are the devil? It was 1967 when Muhammad Ali refused to go fight in the Vietnam War. Of course, he had a strange job, beating people up. Like many aspects of Muhammad . Why do I have to wait till I die to get milk and honey? MP: Theres talk of a rematch with Frazier and anyone who saw the first fight Im sure theyll want to see because it was a great fights - one of the best Ive ever seen. MP: But I remember one fight I saw, I think you gave him a real going over, I think it was Zora Folley? But my main fight is for freedom and equality. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. Even today, if my title hadnt been given back to me and I was in such poverty where I had to go and find a job, I would have done that. Muhammad Ali, read by his wife, Lonnie Ali. You cant sing up on freedom, but you can swing up on some freedom. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. (Ive not been paid for that commercial). I am the greatest!" somehow still rings more infectious than off-putting. The power of his mind can be demonstrated in how he was able to beat the undefeated George Foreman in one of the biggest upsets in the history of boxing. On October 30, 1974 Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in a clash of titans known as the 'Rumble in the Jungle', watched by 60 000 people in the stadium in Kinshasa and millions elsewhere . I took my gold medal, thought Id invented something. Because you said to me Frazier was under intensive treatment. That was my last fight before they took my title in Madison Square Gardens. Why is the Lords supper all white men? MP: Alright, well you call yourselves a pacifist movement. Muhammad Ali quotes on being a champion: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. He'd just joined the Nation of Islam and his religious beliefs were behind his rebellion. So I can beat Joe Frazier singing. He was a slave trader from England. You can tape this show and play it right in Washington and let Nixon hear it. MA: Only for reasons of war, not for religion or my peoples freedom. They all believed that they were the greatest even before reaching success. Can I ask what the problem is, if it is indeed a problem to you, about being regarded as one of the most attractive men and the fan adulation from women? Then slavery came and calls of aggression. And Jack Johnson had this great boxer style. 2 0 obj So I say, did you really believe when I said that? But I have said it once and I will say it again. Could I first start of by asking you, youve been the champion of the world three times, and youre now the ex champion, do you feel that people are treating you differently now that you are the one-time champion? And Miss America was always white. With the help Yahoo! Have you always had this gift, thinking right back? But if I kept my mouth shut, because I can make millions, that isnt doing nothing. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen." He believed without a doubt that he was the best fighter of all time, and he even pushed this belief upon his opponents. Muhammad Ali, original name Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., (born January 17, 1942, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.died June 3, 2016, Scottsdale, Arizona), American professional boxer and social activist. <> I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. So many people of all races and nationalities. Ive heard Elijah Muhammad say that many white people mean right and in their heart want to do right. During the fight, he took all the punches that Foreman threw at him. Im sure we all have this built-in radar of what we predict and when it happens, we feel I knew it. Black men - one might be the president. 08:19Play. And when we land, would I be able to get my life raft out? You might dispute that. And who told him he could sing? Ali gained worldwide attention in 1960 when, at the age . And Id have whooped the world for America. But hes helping millions. I didnt run with a gang - I didnt have time. You won't even stand up for me in America for my religious beliefs, and you want me to go somewhere and fight, but you won't even stand up for me here at home. In America they got two policemen, five policemen and one car watching each other, each has got a pistol, one has got a machine gun, one got a shotgun and two dogs growling at each other. The second, after Nixon. MA: Its Just Muslim. And when I get it out, will a shark come and bust the thing? He was later found guilty of draft evasion and was stripped of his heavyweight boxing title. And shoot them for what? Its a dare. Eurosport blog here's a few of Ali's most vicious, funny and profound quotes. The Puerto Rican, Hawaiians, just about everybody can do more than black people and are more respected. Boxings a rough sport and you get hit a lot. January 10th, 1957 April 4th, 1968 The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is founded to help work for full I dont have no trouble like that. 11 Super Inspiring Muhammad Ali Quotes Inccom. Selflessness and vulnerability will get people to listen. That's the funniest joke in the world. UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Chanting) Ali, Ali, Ali, Ali. And the President lived in the White House. I won the Olympic gold medal in Rome, Italy. He didnt mention anything about Europe or Sweden or Canada. I said, Man, I know Im going to get my people freedom. Look at the kid carry the fight. Because we were way down as far as I was concerned. I have always believed in myself, even as a young child growing up in Louisville, Ky. My parents instilled a sense of. No I dont pay it attention. Muhammad Ali won the world heavyweight boxing championship three times. The same people will give me hell if I turn to them and say, lets free my people now. Ali was the first fighter to win the world heavyweight championship on three separate occasions; he successfully defended this title 19 times. Why couldnt I have pretty cars and good money and nice homes now? World-renowned for his confidence, charisma, and will, he was a source of inspiration for many of us that needed a figure to be their champion. ALI: And as you lie on the floor while the ref counts 10, you pray that you won't have to fight me again. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. And who went to jail? Life is like a ship. I was always at the gymnasium every day at six oclock after school. MA: I need to get everything straight. MP: If it ever came, and God hope it never does, into a war between black and white you would fight then? Impossible is temporary. And he ran off the show. He is nicknamed "The Greatest" and is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers of all time. This was a way of working off your nerves, like you did with Liston and indeed all the people you fight. I won three days, I fought for this country in Rome, I won the gold medal, and Im going to eat.. Whys he so nice to me now? And you say to youself, boy, I could have got the train. In the mornings I would run, looking forward to future golden gloves and Olympic tournaments. I was lucky, from the age of 12 I had boxing talent and was good for my age. No athlete embodies this better than Ali. I don't try to move into white neighborhoods. Music legend John Legend reads Muhammad Ali's speech against the Vietnam War in 1966. And then this is when I knew something was wrong. I have more fans and more followers and more supporters. <> A lot of Catholics want to marry Catholics because the want their religion to stay the same. Like how would a Chinese look named Robert Smith? MA: I dont pay much attention to it. But if I couldnt fight I would still not be fighting. At a press conference before Ali vs. Frazier 1: I predict that when i meet Joe Frazier. I done tussled with a whale', The Greatest speech - 1974, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118147/quotes, Jack Buck: 'We have been challenged by a cowardly foe', 9-11 poem - 2001, Michael Irvin: 'Look up, get up and don't ever give up", Hall of Fame induction - 2007 , Jon Stewart: "They responded in five seconds", 9-11 first responders, Address to Congress - 2019, Jacinda Ardern: 'They were New Zealanders. And he said, If I lose, Im catching the next jet out to Russia. MA: No. And then they got some stuff called White House cigars, White Swan soap, King White soap, White Cloud tissue paper, White Rain hair rinse, White Tornado floor wax, everything was white. But then I saw all those people coming through the door to see Gorgeous George get beat - and they all paid to get in - thats the thing - and I said, this is a good idea. MA: A couple. He won the first, lost the second and won the third. Muhammad Ali was not only a boxing champion, he was a championship talker. I mean, if hes crazy enough Ill give him a chance. MP: I do understand. One judge was so outrageous he gave Frazier eleven rounds and I only won four rounds - and even the least boxing fan would know that was totally impossible for me just to have won four rounds. I wanna tell you something. Here are our three favorite speeches from The Greatest: 1: When asked what he was going to do when retiring from boxing, Favorite quote:What am I going to do for the next 16 years whats the best thing Im going to do? These are countries that don't follow the Kentucky Derby. How would a German look named Edward Goldberg? This is what I plan to do. Im not involved in a power struggle between black and white. The nose is bleeding, the eyes cut, the teeth is out, and the brain might have a concussion just to please you human beings. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcriptlist of alberta feedlots. But we have problems too. If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don't ask how. Ali was honest enough to admit it. The world has lost a legend. The Greatest - Muhammad Ali Inspirational Video. Clay showed me that I'll get locked up for murder if we're ever matched. The more we believe that we can do something the more we can push to achieve our goals. And the heavyweight championship is his destiny. I would say to my mother, Momma? He was a true beat poet -- as in, he loved having a rhyme to have a reason to . If he can prove hes not the devil, then he should get on television and call the man a liar. They used to always say I was a second class citizen. I have to help the dope and prostitution problem. I am a champion - the greatest speech ever [ENG SUB] Champion Quotes - "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Let me know by voting on our poll below! Who would thought only of themselves and kill their race? Anytime you live in the twentieth century, 1964, and youre walking around here singing We Shall Overcome, the government has failed us. Tell me when Im wrong. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. MA: No, not society. Generally considered the greatest boxer of all time. I mean it but I put emphasis on it. They make a million dollars, they get a Rolls Royce and a nice home and a white wife and think, well, I made it. MP: Well its in every article Ive ever read about it. They lie too.. I want to give him a shot at it. This is part of whats wrong with you -- you do too much singing. oqoL?, 4m$~PVK Do3LlI),)^ XK ?|w6xIt4@<55QRc"c`Wd]*zEyd|!ifh&J|Ztv^8 Speakola is a labour of love and Id be very grateful if you would share, tweet or like it. Real conceited and arrogant. We were robbed of our culture, we were robbed of our true history. But the press gave us the name black Muslims to cut us off from the others. I have wrestled with an alligator. Muhammad Ali with his trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell at the Astrodome, Houston, February 1967. Celebrate the life of Muhammad Ali in these 200-plus pages of images, quotes, and tributes to the . And if the white man aint the devil, hes been aiming at the history of the Americans. I always wondered why. Now you see me, now you don't. George thinks he will, but I know he won't. "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.". Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. It lasted six days but I sung four songs and there were critics, seriously, in New York who said that my part was perfect. Ali could be Robert Frost in a robe; Maya Angelou with a championship belt, though his sometimes simplistic stanzas sometimes leaned more toward something out of a Dr. Seuss book. I think Terrell will catch hell at the sound of the bell. MP: I think one of the things that are undeniably true about you Muhammad is that youve got this gift, this flair, for publicity. The latest: Chris Rock, 58, has opened up for the first time about the infamous Oscars slap he received from Will Smith, 54. This kid fights great. Joe Frazier fought his last fight with Bobby Foster in Detroit, Michigan. People have been saying, for years, youre on of the most attractive men in the world. 17 September 1974, Waldorf Astoria, New York, USA. Hi speech lovers,With costs of hosting website and podcast, this labour of love has become a difficult financial proposition in recent times. Black folks couldnt eat downtown. We also wanted to listen back to Ali himself - his humor and his voice. We are happy to announce that we are now part of the ThreeSixtyEight family. Muhammad Ali was a global superstar when he was interviewed by Michael Parkinson in 1971. We are happy to announce that we are now part of the ThreeSixtyEight family. The man best known as Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky. But Ali was much more than a fighter. MP: You mentioned that you wrote poetry other than boxing - do you ever write about this other side of you? But I was so wrapped up in boxing since I was 12. I done wrestled with an alligator. I'm experienced now, professional. If you knew it was God calling you would fight for God. Just the idea of me, a humble fella from Kentucky, lucky in sports and now heres the house and the fight was piped in to places like Thailand in the government house, and Arabian officials took time off just to watch two men boxing. I knowyou've got him. Im invited to all of their homes all over the world and Im invited to Muslim countries. Red birds fly wanna be with red birds. In Hiroshima werent bad but they still dropped the bomb. %PDF-1.5 Independently produced for NPR by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman with John Gregory and Viki Merrick. What's really hurting me, the name Islam is involved, and Muslim is involved and causing trouble and starting hate and violence. They later agreed with me on just that subject. So it left us a walking dead man. No white man says hes not the devil. Hitch him up. Muhammad Ali I am the greatest! That wed see the launching of a coloured satellite. Sharon Stone met Muhammad Ali when she was 17. Looking back, Foreman said: Ill admit it. Oh no. How theyve been taught to love white and hate black, how weve been robbed of our names in slavery. They go down in history for just being athletes. MA: Well, I have a poem. Ali won the fight, and upon returning to the United States, he was asked by a reporter, "Champ, what did you think of Africa?"

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