This will be like a good amateur fighting a real professional. Mainly he talks about the American white man. MA: No, I didnt. I am now 35 years old; 30 more years I'll be 65. And I always asked my mother, I said, Momma, how come is everything white? I said, Why is Jesus white with blond hair and blue eyes? Just picturing one million people and you couldnt see them all. The slaves were not better offthe boat Ali refers to brought the slaves through a horrific Middle Passage to a life of painful servitudeyet their descendants today, even if they won't admit it, are better off. Many of Muhammad's boxing matches coined some now very well-known catch-phrases: "Fight of the century" - Ali and Frazier at Gardens on the 8th of March 1971. He was a true beat poet -- as in, he loved having a rhyme to have a reason to . He added lots of faith and he stirred it up well. He's been preaching he never mentioned England. One fella stood up, looked at him and said, boy, he needs a good whoopin. And he reached over and took a keg of beer out of a mans hand and threw it in the mans face. 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. He was still known as Cassius Clay. He is also often regarded as one of 'the greatest' athletes to have ever existed. Muhammad Ali - one of the most well-known athletes to have walked this earth. Muhammad Ali. And theyre just so happy to see a black man who will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth. Hes got family, hes got children. 4 0 obj He made all of us. ALI: This brash, young boxer is something to see. I hit him so hard that I made him cry. No good in him, no justice, he's gonna be destroyed! Because right now black people are at home shouting at home jumping because they dont have the nerve to say what Im saying and nobodys never said it. Oh, yeah, he's a big dude and he hits hard, you know, I'll call him what he wants. Muhammad Ali. If he hits you once, you're asleep for the night. Too dangerous. MA: Well, I have a poem. I respected him then, and I respect him now. Said they were going to slice the guards face but there was no guards face sliced - they just wanted to kill back people. "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.". I always wondered why Tarzan is the King of the Jungle in Africa, he was white. But the first place that well rise will be the black people of America, and then the rest of them will. 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This kid fights great. James Ellis was in a critical state after the fight and I pulled offa him. Also, play our mobile quiz app at deadoraliveapp.com Links: Transcript of this episode Famous & Gravy official website Dead or Alive Quiz Game Follow our show on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn New York Times obituary for Muhammad Ali The Simpsons supercut video of all Muhammad Ali references Muhammad Ali lights the Olympic torch at 1996 Atlanta I . 6. 1942-2016: Muhammad Ali's Life in Pictures, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Muhammad Ali Remembers the Rumble in the Jungle, Muhammad Ali Jabs at Donald Trump After Muslim Exclusion Plan, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. ". Theres people dancing on a ship. They went into an African prison and shot 35 brothers of mine - I knew most of them - they killed them outright they had no weapons. Im sick and tired Im getting off this show. Would you like to be president? 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. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. MA: Yeah. I was training for a fella called named of Duke Sabedong - he was Hawaiian fighter and a giant about 6 feet 8 inches tall. But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance. Im invited to all of their homes all over the world and Im invited to Muslim countries. ", "I'm not the greatest. No woman on this whole earth can please me and cook for me and socialise and talk to me like my American black woman. MA: Yeah, I believe everything he preach. Ali knew how to captivate his global audience through his words and actions both in and out of the ring. It's an opinion. Something to think about, aint it? MP: But I remember one fight I saw, I think you gave him a real going over, I think it was Zora Folley? I have no racial problems, I dont go where Im not wanted. but we wanted to dig deeper into some of his most inspirational speaking moments. Black men - one might be the president. But the people didnt know. Because they were kinda dangerous. MA: No. Ive been in a couple of scuffles but not too many. I asked how much money was I getting, you know, for taking up my time. ", "Now the things that once were so effortlessmy strong voice and the quickness of my movementsare more difficult. Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was known for taunting opponents with colorful rhyming trash. How would a German look named Edward Goldberg? Impossible is temporary. At the time, the television interview was deemed edgy. Those that criticised you at first when you refused to go in the army - afterwards, three-and-a-half years later when Vietnam became an unpopular war - did you then become a hero? I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to beI'm free to be what I want. 00:00. And when a pilot says its going to be bad, its going to be rough. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Look at my beautiful blond hair. I go up to the cockpit and see all these things and think, what if this thing switches off, and were between England and America over the ocean - where would we land? Remaining Time -0:00. 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. Sixteenth class. MP: Can we go back to your childhood? No woman can really identify with me and the way I act and the way I talk. This page was last edited on 9 December 2022, at 18:34. He was a nice fella. Together, they adopted Muhammad Ali's son and remained together for the remainder of his life. Here 5 Of The Best Inspirational Speeches From Muhammad Ali. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. Takeaway: In this interview, Ali provides a great take on how he wants to be remembered in life after hes gone. Of course, he had a strange job, beating people up. And they rape our women daily. Sir Michael who has described Ali as the most extraordinary man I have met questioned the boxer on his views on religion and race and he was as outspoken outside of ring as he was on it. If youre just looking for presentation services though, please just exit out this box and continue along. Ladies and gentlemen, Muhammad Ali. His agility was impressive, but what was most impressive was his confidence in himself. Joe Frazier fought his last fight with Bobby Foster in Detroit, Michigan. And I went downtown, I sat down, and I said, A cup of coffee, a hotdog., The lady said, We dont serve Negroes. I was so mad, I said, I dont eat them either, just give me a cup of coffee and a hamburger., You know, I said, Im the Olympic gold medal-winner. And when I get it out, will a shark come and bust the thing? This kid's got a right. And I heard her tell the manager, and he said, Well, hes got to go out. They put me out. ", "I've wrestled with alligators. They have to prove they are not the devil. ALI: By Cassius Clay. I dont have no trouble like that. It was released by CBS Columbia . Not black Muslim. Im just going to win on points. He was getting all mad and saying. No white man says hes not the devil. Betting against me is completely absurd. And shoot them for what? 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. Published: 16 May 2022, 17:00. And I just cant see myself with a man on the ropes and just to prove how bad I am - and I see in his eyes, his head, hes hopeless - and Im just deliberately hitting. 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. stream The key thing to remember about the worlds captivation with Ali is that he truly fought for the world and not himself. They go down in history for just being athletes. There is a characteristic mischievous pungency to Ali's remark, yet it also expresses a widely held sentiment. One fella was going for a rock and another was picking up a stick and there wasnt no referees or judges and I got out of there real quick. Not a power struggle. I dont see the audience. We should have more intelligence than them, right? As you said, the black Muslim movement. And you know after that fight, Frank wouldnt talk to him. We got white Muslims, brown Muslims, yellow Muslims, tan Muslims, red Muslims and black muslims - were the same all over. He would stand an easier chance in Vietnam with a BB gun. He is the greatest! Keeps them out of trouble. Like. Santa Claus was white and everything bad was black. Somebody say, ssshh!. I didnt run with a gang - I didnt have time. And I said, Im not going to be that kind of a fighter. I fought Jerry Quarry, gave him a chance. Ali gained worldwide attention in 1960 when, at the age . stream I always wondered why. Malcolm X is credited with playing a critical role in the evolution of Ali's religious views by steering him towards the Nation of Islam. I did not use the word pacifist. I done handcuffed lightning, and throw thunder in jail. I must be the greatest. Responding to a press conference question as to whether he was a "card-carrying" member of the. It aint no despair. I beat people up. And if that bum even messes my hair up Ill annihilate him. I fear aeroplanes. I said that before I knew I was." We all have greatness inside ourselves. MP: I believe you when you say you dont hate anybody. I believe in Allah and in peace. "If you just asked him, he'd tell you. And I had to leave that restaurant in my hometown, where I went to church to serve in their Christianity, my Daddy fought in all the wars. Like when my title was taken, boxing died. Today its time to stop singing and start swinging. Muhammad Ali enlivened many of his news conference and training sessions with poems. And then he got in his opponents corner and got some deodorant and sprayed it, holding his nose, and he was trowing out at people and making out all kinds of bad gestures. I am great! And I flew through him. MA: A swing at ME? In his first professional loss, Ali was knocked out in the 15th round. You dont shoot yourself. And the heavyweight championship is his destiny. Read more:Muhammad Ali had a 50 year love affair with Britain and he always felt like one of us. I tell you what I really fear. Ali comes out to meet Frazier but Frazier starts to retreat, If Frazier goes back an inch farther hell wind up in a ringside seat. MP: But youre involved in a political struggle, a power struggle, between black and white and youre a leading member of that. Boxing is just to introduce me to the struggle. Written by copywriter Aimee Lehto for a series of Adidas ads in which this was superimposed over stills of various figures, including Muhammad Ali. Get ready to meet God.. I'm not a Christian anymore. And the first thing they ask me is, why do you call yourselves black Muslims?. MP: When you were 12 and in your early teens, did you imagine yourself to be World Champion? MP: Whether you want it or not, you are. 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. 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. MA: There wont be on our part. True Muslims know or should know that it goes against our religion to try and force Islam on anybody. I do more than that in training. Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. So I had to talk, act crazy, supreme, "I am the greatest of all times. Muhammad Ali's wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the length of their marriage. Its really silly, when you think about fighting. MP: Can I put this to you though? I was baptized when I was twelve, but I didn't know what I was doing. ", "Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up. But in terms of sports personalities -- or celebrity personalities -- he was on the highest plane. Known to be one of the greatest speakers to walk this earth, he used confidence, passion, and rhyming verse to communicate his points. 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. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. What about other black athletes - in particular Floyd Paterson. I'm the double greatest. Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wildlife. All this is going through my mind. Or do you think there will be a fight? ALI: He is the greatest. Great speakers today use the same tactic to find success present whats in it for the world, and you will be a champion in your own industry. Never. And Elijah Muhammad was taught by Allah, who we refer to as God, to teach us the truth that will free us. Last night I had a dream, When I got to Africa, A poem about Foreman and the "Rumble in the Jungle" match (1974), Comment prior to the "Rumble in the Jungle" (30 October 1974), as documented in. And he had Floyd Paterson in his room, he came to Las Vegas and he was singing in a nightclub and saying Floyd was his boy to whoop that old black Muslim. Ellis has got a family, hes an ex friend of mine and he wants to live too. Muhammad Ali. You are as old as you think you are. 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. Later I found out that this man worked for the show. MA: Only for reasons of war, not for religion or my peoples freedom. Check out Muhammad Ali's I am the Greatest highlight reel and speech! MA: I need to get everything straight. MP: You mentioned Nixon there, and I was reading a piece Norman Mailer wrote about you and he described you as the second most prominent American. Like how would a Chinese look named Robert Smith? I mean, Im proud, and Islam did it. We dont hate nobody. The Greatest . And Dempsey was more of a wild, rough fighter - a little like Marciano. 5 0 obj MA: No. Because you said to me Frazier was under intensive treatment. June 4, 2016. I went to the bank laughing every time. When they gave me my title back I could have waited for Joe Frazier but I didnt. The eagles like to hang out in the mountains. I said, Momma, why dont they call it whitemail? That's the only way you gonna save this sucker. But Elijah Muhammad teaches us the truth of God beautified the planet by separating everybody in different countries for themselves: Chinese in China, English in England, Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico, Ethiopians in Ethiopia, Arabians in Arabia, Egyptians in Egypt, and Americans took that country and stole it away so theres always going to be trouble and chaos. Because I can control it. I said, Man, I know Im going to get my people freedom. endobj The government has failed us; you cant deny that. "What I suffered physically was worth what I've accomplished in life. Sellin' out shows, I'm on that . MA: I dont pay much attention to it. ALI: And as you lie on the floor while the ref counts 10, you pray that you won't have to fight me again. An ex friend of mine and he always felt like one of #... 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