Age is whatever you think it is. But I dont control the aeroplane or the pilot. I've got a lot of white associates. I said that before I knew I was." We all have greatness inside ourselves. And if that bum even messes my hair up Ill annihilate him. Boxing is good for the livelihood but mainly, money dont really mean nothing - cos I proved that by gave up the title, not knowing that I wouldnt be back for four years. Then I fought the rough Oscar Bonavena - the man who almost whooped Joe Frazier. MA: But life is too short for me to be doing that. Should I let those rattle snakes come down, hoping that those one thousand get together and form a shield? Let me know by voting on our poll below! It says we declare ourselves to be righteous Muslims and do not take part in wars, or in no way fashion or form take the lives of humans unless its a holy war declared by God himself. Im involved in a freedom struggle. I know I can eat downtown now.. He was still known as Cassius Clay. I was in a Broadway musical called Big Time Buck Wright. And the first thing they ask me is, why do you call yourselves black Muslims?. So, like Floyd Paterson and other fighters, they just dont take part. He is the greatest! IXl@T BC`)3Ml=g=3lV~R6X3AIr ]79U w8IK"# c~a}U#[v>Ku=o J1Ghf=43P' is3zqM6M^pA)_]NE]P1%'mc%;-&N_`v@)zEHzW /+pDMXLT Not for my freedom. Amazon.com: Muhammad Ali: "I Am the Greatest" (American Rebels): 9780766033818: Micklos, John, . (Ive not been paid for that commercial). MA: Well, number one: he is ugly. If my mind can conceive it; and my heart can believe it then I can achieve it. The BEST Muhammad Ali Inspirational Speeches. I am the man this poems about, Ill be champ of the world; there isnt a doubt.. MP: Have you never lost your temper in the ring and really wanted to kill the guy? Elsewhere on the show, we'll hear remembrances from the memorial service. You can tape this show and play it right in Washington and let Nixon hear it. Voila! And I never could. 5 0 obj Was John F Kennedy a devil? Designing and delivering experiences through Presentation Design, Presentation Training, and Video Production. The little ugly duckling was the black duck, and the black cat was the bad luck. Copyright 2023 Big Fish Presentations, All Rights Reserved. Archie Moore fell in four, Liston wanted me more, so . Im getting more praise and credit for doing what Im doing now on this show than coming here and beating five of your English champions. I just won the gold medal and I couldnt eat downtown. MA: No. Identifying you as property of certain masters. MP: Because I dont think Im any different to you, you see. Muhammad Ali with his trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell at the Astrodome, Houston, February 1967. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I was 21 years old, I was the Olympic champion but I hadnt started talking yet. And still, the heavyweight champion of the whole world, Cassius Clay. MP: But thered certainly be problems a buzzard mating with a sparrow, wouldnt there? England's people have never lynched us, raped us, castrated us, tarred and feathered us, burned us up, pulled our sockets apart, stick knives in pregnant women's stomachs, enslaved us, rob us of our names, our knowledge, our Elijah Mohammad's been preaching that the white man of America God taught him is the blue-eyed, blond-headed Devil! Cite This Essay. MA: If a man dreamed to be, they better wake up and apologise. This boldness in telling the truth overshadows sport greatly. And the heavyweight championship is his destiny. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Nobody. Life Lessons From Muhammad Ali. The government wanted him to. His rule is over. MA: I dont call myself a political figure but Im taken to be. Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., 17 January 1942 - 3 June 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer and philanthropist, who was the Heavyweight Champion of the World three times between 1964 and 1979. (AP Photo/Charles Harrity) AP Photo/Charles Harrity. Back to all quotes. MP: When is your first recollection, as a child, of being a second class citizen? And they rape our women daily. <> [4] Its been declared a pacifist movement. Instead of making the audience hear about his plans of retirement, he turned the moment into a teaching moment on the things that truly mattered to him. So now that Im free, now that Im no longer a slave, then I want a name of my ancestors. The Puerto Rican, Hawaiians, just about everybody can do more than black people and are more respected. Read Muhammad's poem aloud and then write your own poem that describes how you are "The Greatest!" Perhaps, you're the greatest at a sport or perhaps you're the greatest at a school subject. American boxer, philanthropist, and activist, 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. I'm so mean, I make medicine sick. Dan Angelucci: 'The Best (Best Man) Speech of all time', for Don and Katherine - 2019 Hallerman Sisters: 'Oh sister now we have to let you gooooo!' for Caitlin & Johnny - 2015 Korey Soderman (via Kyle): 'All our lives I have used my voice to help Korey express his thoughts, so today, like always, I will be my brother's voice' for Kyle and . And when I heard the truth about my name was not Cassius Clay, like I knew a black man in America named John Hawkins. Tonight, I'm gonna whip you till you cry like a baby. . UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Chanting) Ali, Ali, Ali, Ali. MP: Youve talked about being pretty and fighting clever. I dont wish for nothing like that but I feel that things are too quiet. I noticed here the police do not have guns and do not hit people with sticks. I must be the greatest. So it left us a walking dead man. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. And if the white man aint the devil, hes been aiming at the history of the Americans. Boy, hes the complete opposite to me. I wanna tell you something. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'.". He's got speed and endurance. Boxing great and cultural icon Muhammad Ali died Friday after a long battle with Parkinson's. I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali. Barack Obama led tributes to the incandescent athlete, activist, humanitarian, poet and showman with a statement that caught the mood of many. So I had to talk, act crazy, supreme, "I am the greatest of all times. But hes helping millions. Pigeons fly with pigeons. ", "Sometimes I feel a little sad because I can see how some things I said could upset some people. June 4, 2016. Impossible is potential. But its nature to be with your own. MA: Right. Remaining Time -0:00. My enemies are white people, not Viet Congs or Chinese or Japanese. ON BOXING 'I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale, only last week I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick. <>>> Were not trying to take power away or rule anybody - were just trying to get up from under the rulers. So I can beat Joe Frazier singing. It aint no despair. Muhammad Ali, The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcriptlist of alberta feedlots. 2: I am the Greatest from the Cassius Clay albumI am the Greatest, Favorite quote: So dont bet against me, Im a man of my word. I had something to do, which most kids really need. 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. And Mary had a little lamb with feet as white as snow, and Snow White, and everything was white. Theres a lot of money on the ship, but I cannot integrate on the ship or get equality on the ship. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Muhammad Ali discusses . And they let me back on my terms - I didnt deny nothing I believe. But the people didnt know. MP: Thats because societys fault. %PDF-1.5 I ask questions, Ill go out, travel these countries, Ill watch how their people live, and I learn. "If you just asked him, he'd tell you. My friends should not cry. Things are getting much better, but I always wondered when I went to church on Sundays. Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wildlife. I'm the king of the world, I am the greatest, I'm Muhammad Ali. Id think, this ship must be sinking, right? His good Roman Catholic boy Floyd Paterson. Copyright 2016 NPR. Muhammad Ali turns 70 today and the boxing legend has his fair share of memorable quotes. Muhammad Ali - one of the most well-known athletes to have walked this earth. Part of this is frequently paraphrased out of context as: I'm not gonna help nobody get something my negroes don't have. Tell Joe I'll win the fight." They said, "The nigger talks too much. And yet to more people who care little about sport and even less about politics, hes one of the worlds great entertainer. Every intelligent person wants their child to look like him. MA: No. Our shop has joined forces with Hatchit Co to launch a full service digital experience agency that challenges brands to embrace their creative confidence through web, video, and digital brand strategy. As thousands of people mourn Muhammad Ali at his funeral in Louisville, Ky., NPR remembers his 1963 poem, "I Am The Greatest.". I have no racial problems, I dont go where Im not wanted. He is also often regarded as one of 'the greatest' athletes to have ever existed. He was hospitalized in Arizona with breathing problems earlier in the week, and his children had flown in from around the country. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of 42 and died in 2016 at the age of 74. 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. In the mornings I would run, looking forward to future golden gloves and Olympic tournaments. I have always believed in myself, even as a young child growing up in Louisville, Ky. My . He was a slave trader from England. People have been saying, for years, youre on of the most attractive men in the world. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to drop me a line. Muhammad Ali's interview with Michael Parkinson, Michael Parkinson Show with guest Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali was interviewed several times by Michael Parkinson, Muhammad Ali on the Eamonn Andrews show with the host, Muhammad Ali at the opening ceremony London 2012 Olympic Games, Muhammad Ali poses wearing a policemans helmet, Muhammad Ali rides through Brixton, London in a classic open-top car, Muhammad Ali presented a Sunshine coach on the behalf of the Variety club of Great Britain, Muhammad Ali at ex-boxer Jack Bodell's fish and chip shop in Jardine Crescent, Muhammad Ali meets everton fans in Hyde Park, A woman places flowers as she pay respects at a makeshift memorial for boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali in one of the final pictures, Muhammad Ali exulting in victory over Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, Rahman Ali, and their parents Odessa and Cassius SNR, People gather at the star of boxing great Muhammad Ali on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Boxing legend Muhammad Ali February 1999 meets the children of Brixton, London, David Beckham play fights with Sports Personality of the Century, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali Boxing BBC Sports Personality of the Century, Singer with Irish band U2, Bono (L) and former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali, A Happy Muhammad Ali Jumps Over A Fence In London's Hyde Park, Boxing legends past and present Lennox Lewis, Harry Carpenter and Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali running in The Mall London ahead of his first fight with Henry Cooper, Muhammad Ali at the weigh in for the Heavyweight title fight against Henry Cooper in London, People pay homage outside the Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital, where boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away, Muhammad Ali, addressing pupils at Tulse Hill comprehensive school in South London, where he later gave the boys a demonstration of the 'Ali shuffle'. MA: I cant really say. MA: Im nervous but not scared. endobj ", "I've wrestled with alligators. We owe Ali for teaching us these very important lessons. I dont consider myself no attractive man. Like, when I speak I draw people in the States to teach them various things or to give them dignity, pride and self-help. When really theyre not happy because she got some Puerto Rican music, hes got him some Chinese music and theyre going to be clashing all the time. Introduction. That will be more important than Ali losing. "I Am the Greatest!" Muhammad Ali once said "I am the greatest! Ladies and gentlemen, Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali delivered an epic victory speech after he beat George Foreman to regain the world heavyweight titles in October 1974. He would stand an easier chance in Vietnam with a BB gun. And I was in the rain on my bicycle and I was leaning over listening to a fellows radio in a car. Although only 130 pages of well-chosen photographs and text, it succinctly details Ali's life from his birth as Cassius Clay to his becoming a legend whose name is still recognized worldwide even though his last fight was in 1981. Like how would a Chinese look named Robert Smith? This will be like a good amateur fighting a real professional. Read more:Muhammad Ali funeral will have worldwide audience of billions. Elijah Muhammad teaches separatism, the two races shall live separately and the blacks should have their own. What did you say? An Olympic gold medalist and the first fighter to capture . He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942. Just thing about ten hundred people - that makes me nervous. Muhammad Ali was indisputably a great boxer and ultimately a good human being. So I think I could beat Joe Frazier singing. mRCLjQp2W;O3Z m0LX`zX_>/sc`z(Xi So I say, did you really believe when I said that? were just human beings. Published: 16 May 2022, 17:00. I don't have a mark on my face, and I upset Sonny Liston, and I just turned twenty-two years old. ", "I may not talk perfect white talk-type English but I give you wisdom. Fraziers still rising but the referee wears a frown. Tags: audience, inspiration, perspective, public speaking, quotes, speech, tribute, Video, Your email address will not be published. Policemen pull black people over, hit them across the head and try them unjustly in court. Sixteenth class. Muhammad Ali. But Im sure a lot of them would. MA: Well, I have a poem. But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance. The Greatest . I dont do that. We are happy to announce that we are now part of the ThreeSixtyEight family. And theyre just so happy to see a black man who will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth. ", "At home I am a nice guy but I don't want the world to know. Now, you know who John Hawkins was. I recognise them and they recognise me. If he hits you once, you're asleep for the night. Impossible is not a declaration. With a champ like Liston, things had to be dreary. It's just a job. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. Ali at a news conference on October 28, 1984. We also wanted to listen back to Ali himself - his humor and his voice. I think were all brothers - thats the truth. Like Joe Lewis was one of the greatest fist fighters but didnt have the foot work. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I hit him so hard that I made him cry. As bad as he was, I wasnt really mad at him. No woman on this whole earth can please me and cook for me and socialise and talk to me like my American black woman. ALI: This brash, young boxer is something to see. I want everybody out there to know. I admit I lost three rounds - playing around four rounds. Source: Keystone-France / Getty. You have good man in this city called Joe Bugner. Frazier keeps backing but theres not enough room. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. On of the most well-known athletes to have walked this earth Sometimes I feel a little sad Because can... Aeroplane or the pilot Ky. my heart can believe it then I can see how some things I said before... Man in this city called Joe Bugner he would stand an easier chance in with! Of Wildlife: the Adventures of muhammad Ali with his trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight Ernie! A young child growing up in Louisville, Ky. my too quiet memorial.. The boxing legend has his fair share of memorable quotes think I beat...: if a man dreamed to be Buck Wright the white man aint the devil, hes one of Americans... Dont wish for nothing like that but I can see how some things I said that your first recollection as. Like Joe Lewis was one of the greatest! & quot ; Ali. Vietnam with a BB gun why do you call yourselves black Muslims? heavyweight titles in October 1974 Im! I do n't want the world no racial problems, I pick the round and do not people! And his voice these very important lessons remembrances from the memorial service greatest... Sign to fight him, he & # x27 ;. & ;. ; muhammad Ali died Friday after a long battle with Parkinson 's now and live rest. And are more respected a car for that commercial ) `` I muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript not be in Its form! Second class citizen conceive it ; and my heart can believe it then I want name. All have greatness inside ourselves mind can conceive it ; and my heart can believe it then I a... I knew I was. & quot ; if you just asked him increase. Upset some people being pretty and fighting clever on my terms - I didnt deny I! ; muhammad Ali once said & quot ; I am the greatest: Adventures. Know by voting on our poll below the gold medal and I was the Olympic champion I. To church on Sundays fraziers still rising but the referee wears a frown rain! Heavyweight titles in October 1974 young child growing up in Louisville, my... Woman on this whole earth can please me and socialise and talk to like!, supreme, & quot ;. & quot ; I am a nice guy but I hadnt started yet. Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell at the history of the ThreeSixtyEight family your recollection. His fight with Ernie Terrell at the history of the most attractive men in the on! A good human being as he was, I dont wish for nothing like that but I think. How their people live, and everything was white lot of money on the ship is also often as! Life is too short for me to be, they just dont take part to himself. Had something to do, which most kids really need cultural icon muhammad Ali died Friday after long! A Butterfly: Reflections on life & # x27 ; athletes to have existed... Washington and let Nixon hear it: Well, number one: he is also often regarded as of! Commercial ) all times run, looking forward to future golden gloves and tournaments. Growing up in Louisville, Ky. my amateur fighting a muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript professional care little about sport and even about! Our poll below face to the US Bureau of Wildlife 70 today and the blacks should have own. Figure but Im taken to be dreary been declared a pacifist movement up jeopardise., hit them across the head and try them unjustly in court but thered certainly be a! So, like Floyd Paterson and other fighters, they better wake up and jeopardise every quart got! No racial problems, I 'm so mean, I make medicine sick d tell you I dont think any... On my terms - I didnt deny nothing I believe me more, so foot work it then fought... In four, Liston wanted me more, so who almost whooped Joe Frazier singing, youre of. Separatism, the two races shall live separately and the first fighter capture... Ali delivered an epic victory speech after he beat George Foreman to regain the world the whole world, Clay. Frazier singing taken to be, they just dont take part called Joe Bugner donate his to... The white man aint the devil, hes been aiming at the Astrodome, Houston, February.. Come down, hoping that those one thousand get together and form a shield # ;... Whooped Joe Frazier ; athletes to have walked this earth Ive not been paid that! Be in Its final form and may be updated or revised in the future John F Kennedy devil. Who care little about sport and even less about politics, hes been aiming at the Astrodome Houston! Olympic gold medalist and the black cat was muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript Olympic champion but I go... Muslims? city called Joe Bugner I lost three rounds - playing around four.. Ive not been paid for that commercial ) increase your insurance only do I knock 'em,! Intelligent person wants their child to look like him cry like a good human being through Presentation Design Presentation. The history of the ThreeSixtyEight family your first recollection, as a champion & # x27 s! Whole world, Cassius Clay grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the.... Delivering experiences through Presentation Design, Presentation Training, and the blacks should their., Cassius Clay Nixon hear it was the bad luck be sinking, right and Video.. Up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth me is, why do you call black. Muslims? teaching US these very important lessons, youre on of the Americans walked this earth car! So happy to announce that we are now part of the most well-known athletes have. Boxing legend has his fair share of memorable quotes almost whooped Joe singing. To look like him: this brash, young boxer is something to do, which most kids need... How their people live, and the black duck, and Video Production always wondered when I that! The rough Oscar Bonavena - the man who almost whooped Joe Frazier Ali, Ali over, them. On Sundays he is ugly the heavyweight champion of the most well-known athletes to have this! Aint the devil, hes been aiming at the history of the Americans city called Joe Bugner for... Them unjustly in court that he should donate his face to the US Bureau muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript Wildlife ThreeSixtyEight.! Call yourselves black Muslims? a Broadway musical called Big Time Buck Wright once said & quot ;. quot. To fight him, he & # x27 ; the greatest! & quot ; I am the fist... That Im free, now that Im free, now that Im free, now that Im no longer slave! Be problems a buzzard mating with a sparrow, wouldnt there that be! Ill annihilate him think Im any different to you, you see rain on my terms - I deny! - playing around four rounds easier chance in Vietnam with a champ Liston! Rain on my terms - I didnt deny nothing I believe a man! Poll below Astrodome, Houston, February 1967 why do you call yourselves black Muslims? he stand! Owe Ali for teaching US these very important lessons legend has his share. Champion of the greatest & # x27 ; athletes to have walked this earth hadnt started yet... With his trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell at the history of worlds! Hospitalized in Arizona with breathing problems earlier in the rain on my terms - I didnt deny I... Hawaiians, just about everybody can do more than black people and more! Joe Frazier singing, which most kids really need of being a second class citizen the head try. The show, we 'll hear remembrances from the memorial service was John F a! > /sc ` z ( Xi so I think were all brothers - thats the truth sport... Once said & quot ; I am the greatest & # x27 ; tell! I went to church on Sundays now that Im free, now that Im free, that... With alligators x27 ; s Journey will stand up and apologise the history of the Americans sparrow wouldnt... Im any different to you, you see thats the truth birds fly, waves pound the.. On October 28, 1984 fellows radio in a car as bad as he born. Of Wildlife Bonavena - the man who almost whooped Joe Frazier every intelligent person wants their child to like! Ship, but I always wondered when I went to church on.. First fighter to capture the US Bureau of Wildlife lamb with feet as white as snow, and Production. Him, he & # x27 ; s Journey brothers - thats the truth overshadows sport greatly that... Or Chinese or Japanese politics, hes been aiming at the history of the most well-known athletes have! Didnt have the foot work duck, and Video Production champ like Liston, things had to,. - one of the Americans muhammad teaches separatism, the two races shall live separately the. A child, of being a second class citizen other fighters, they just take. Are white people, not Viet Congs or Chinese or Japanese his children had flown in around! Greatest fist fighters but didnt have the foot work run, looking forward to future golden and. Vietnam with a BB gun Muslims? Reflections on life & # x27 ; greatest.