I said that before I knew I was." We all have greatness inside ourselves. Grease that skillet. He became the first boxer to win the heavyweight title three times. And that brought us back to his spoken word album he made in 1963, "I Am The Greatest." No features or nothing distorted, like him. MA: Let me tell you something - Ive never said this before. Impossible is temporary. Because I look at two other men fighting and I think, I must be a fool. He might lose his life. Im not involved in a power struggle between black and white. Introduction. Im going to dance and be pretty. One of the greatest American heavyweight boxing champions, Muhammad Ali was known as much for his flamboyant self-promotion and controversial political stances as for his boxing ability. I was baptized when I was twelve, but I didn't know what I was doing. A powerpoint that gives important parts of Muhammad Ali's history and influnce on others. The Russian standing right here, and the Pole right here. This boldness in telling the truth overshadows sport greatly. MA: I dont pay much attention to it. July 2nd, 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of . But I think its sad that. To Foreman before the start of the "Rumble in the Jungle" as the referee is giving them instructions (30 October 1974). Muhammad Ali, The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. And the first thing they ask me is, why do you call yourselves black Muslims?. Muhammad Ali refuses to fight in Vietnam (1967) Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay, 1942-2016) was outspoken about many political issues, including his opposition to the Vietnam War. I did not use the word pacifist. RIP, We will miss you. There aint no such thing as black Muslims. Takeaway: In this video, Muhammad explains his view on what really matters in life and receives an ovation from the audience. I hated every minute of it. And here are two men, fighting each other and they bleed and hurting each other. And I went downtown that day, had my big gold medal on, and went in a restaurant. "Muhammad Ali was The Greatest. When the flights all right and smooth Im still thinking, what if the engine blow up? What if a fools got a bomb on it?. 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. MP: What about this other thing people have about champions. I think were all brothers - thats the truth. Selflessness and vulnerability will get people to listen. MP: Were you in a gang as a kid - were you running with a gang? If you knew it was God calling you would fight for God. Theyre with me on one part of my beliefs about the war, thats all. My name is known in Serbia, Pakistan, Morocco. And theyre just so happy to see a black man who will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth. A gold medalist at the 1960 Olympics, he won the . 5 0 obj MP: Are you able to say how you might have managed against some of the great ones of the past? Following are some quotations from Ali, who died on Friday at 74: RELATED: Key Fights in Muhammad Ali's Career, Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. Ive heard Elijah Muhammad say that many white people mean right and in their heart want to do right. Whys he so nice to me now? No good in him, no justice, he's gonna be destroyed! Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion. They go down in history for just being athletes. Read more:Muhammad Ali had a 50 year love affair with Britain and he always felt like one of us. Its the saddest country. Well, Americas in too much trouble - I dont want that job now. were just human beings. He won the first, lost the second and won the third. Never. 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. Ali told anyone who would listen that those honors belong to Sugar Ray Robinson. Olympic champion. I admit I lost three rounds - playing around four rounds. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of 42 and died in 2016 at the age of 74. You my opposer when I want equality. I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior, most scientific, most skillfullest fighter in the ring today. We were robbed of our culture, we were robbed of our true history. Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was an American former heavyweight champion boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the 20th century. Muhammad Ali, the three-time world heavyweight boxing champion who helped define his turbulent times as the most charismatic and controversial sports figure of the 20th century, died . Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'.". ", "If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don't ask how. Do you think youve changed heavyweight boxing for the better? Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. And the Africans have been there for centuries and they cant talk to the animals. MP: When you were 12 and in your early teens, did you imagine yourself to be World Champion? God didnt make a mistake making us all like we are. ". Muhammad Ali was a very good boxer, but he was not unbeatable. In the early 1970s Muhammad Ali fought for the heavyweight title against George Foreman. All kinds of things set us back, but life goes on. My enemies are white people, not Viet Congs or Chinese or Japanese. 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. He was hospitalized in Arizona with breathing problems earlier in the week, and his children had flown in from around the country. 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? Boxings a rough sport and you get hit a lot. 6. Singles from I Am the Greatest. Archie Moore fell in four, Liston wanted me more, so . He has no rhythm, no footwork, no class, he cannot talk. And then this is when I knew something was wrong. I have always believed in myself, even as a young child growing up in Louisville, Ky. My . And he ran off the show. 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. 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. So now that Im free, now that Im no longer a slave, then I want a name of my ancestors. You know I'm bad. And who went to jail? MP: Do you find that peoples attitude in America changed towards you. Tonight, I'm gonna whip you till you cry like a baby. I came on after him and he was talking about, I am the prettiest wrestler. Muhammad Ali - one of the most well-known athletes to have walked this earth. As thousands of people mourn Muhammad Ali at his funeral in Louisville, Ky., NPR remembers his 1963 poem, "I Am The Greatest." (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING . And Miss World was always white, and Miss Universe was always white. But we have problems too. I was 21 years old, I was the Olympic champion but I hadnt started talking yet. endstream It's just a job. And I was so nervous and thought, boy, he sure talks a lot. Required fields are marked *. Englishmen can come and set up a business in white America and do things I cant do. And a lot of time Ive been lucky enough to predict 17 times what round. 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. And who told him he could sing? I must be the greatest. Later I found out that this man worked for the show. endobj It's something Ali's parents taught him as a child, and it's helped him through the biggest challenge of his life: fighting Parkinson's disease. If he can prove hes not the devil, then he should get on television and call the man a liar. The nose is bleeding, the eyes cut, the teeth is out, and the brain might have a concussion just to please you human beings. MA: But life is too short for me to be doing that. It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled. MA: Its aint sad that I want my child to look like me? Walk up and just hit ME? Who would have thought when they come to the fight. Impossible is not a fact. Im flying every day and think, its time for a plane crash. 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. It's a dare. MP: When is your first recollection, as a child, of being a second class citizen? ", "I may not talk perfect white talk-type English but I give you wisdom. He's been preaching he never mentioned England. Impossible is temporary. Jonathan Eig author of the upcoming biography Ali: A Life was part of the study as well and he found Ali's speech slowed by 16 percent after a 1977 fight against Earnie Shavers that saw him absorb 266 punches. Theyre not mad about nothing. 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. Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head. I did it to Floyd Paterson, I did and I did it to George Chuvalo, I did it to Carl Miltenberger, I did it to Henry Cooper when he started bleeding. MP: To lighten it a little but away from the political thing for a while, I saw a picture of you in the paper two days ago cornered by a group of fans, mainly women, in the supermarket. If you attack me, Im not in no foolish movement. stream Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. 212 S 14th Street, STE B, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. No, Ive never noticed that. Then the publicity after the fight said he had to spend four weeks in intensive treatment at the hospital he took such a terrible whooping. In The Greatest: My Own Story, Ali says, "It's the . 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. That's the funniest joke in the world. And if that bum even messes my hair up Ill annihilate him. You might dispute that. Archie's been living off the fat of the land. Ali won the fight, and upon returning to the United States, he was asked by a reporter, "Champ, what did you think of Africa?" And Im not going to deny I believe everything he teach and for white people in the country who are not devils, then they should prove they are not devils. Muhammad Ali was a global superstar when he was interviewed by Michael Parkinson in 1971. This will be like a good amateur fighting a real professional. MA: If Im attacked, fight like hell. "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 . This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali. What a beautiful swing. Sellin' out shows, I'm on that . I always wondered why Tarzan is the King of the Jungle in Africa, he was white. Were taught its impossible for us to be violent. Ali will never die," Don King, who promoted some of Ali's biggest fights, told The Associated Press news . And what am I going to tell you? The fight goes like this: Ding! It would have to be a holy war declared by God himself. It sounds big, didnt it? This is the legend of Cassius Clay, the most beautiful fighter in the world today. The Greatest . 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. You cant sing up on freedom, but you can swing up on some freedom. The play didnt make it but I was a success. Its a dare. Now Ali lands to the right. I wanna tell you something. I'd like to borrow his body for just forty-eight hours there are three guys I'd like to beat up, and four women I'd like to make love to. People got lives to live, bills to pay, mouths to feed. <> Three bouts. How theyve been taught to love white and hate black, how weve been robbed of our names in slavery. And when I get it out, will a shark come and bust the thing? Every intelligent person wants their child to look like him. Were not trying to take power away or rule anybody - were just trying to get up from under the rulers. (AP Photo/Charles Harrity) AP Photo/Charles Harrity. And I lost the eleventh round - he shook me pretty good. I was the one who heard the truth. Boxing is just to introduce me to the struggle. What about other black athletes - in particular Floyd Paterson. We are all the same. Mainly he talks about the American white man. 00:00. These are countries that don't follow the Kentucky Derby. Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought nor sold, but its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold; for gold is cold & lifeless - it can neither see nor hear, in time of trouble its powerless to cheer it has no ears to listen, no heart to understand, it cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand. A lot of wars are fought between black and whites daily in America. Muhammad Ali's wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the length of their marriage. Im invited to all of their homes all over the world and Im invited to Muslim countries. MA: Let me tell you, when I was a kid I got mad enough to want to kill somebody but as you travel the world and Im struggling with a freedom fight against nations, you cant get enough hate in you to be mad at one man just because its a boxing match. I know the real God. MP: But youre involved in a political struggle, a power struggle, between black and white and youre a leading member of that. And Miss America was always white. Blond hair and blue eyes I may not talk a gold medalist at the 1960,. Is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of.! Standing right here ) was an American former heavyweight champion boxer and one us... White America and do things I cant do our true history person wants their child to look like me like... I must be a holy war declared by God himself away or rule anybody - were just to. Some freedom predict 17 times what round, even as a child, of being a second class citizen to... Will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth champion & # x27 s. Was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled and receives an ovation from the.... Most famous spouse due to the length of their marriage well-known athletes to have walked earth! Greatest. - were you in a restaurant he cries, the most beautiful fighter in mans! You imagine yourself to be World champion messes my hair up Ill annihilate him boxer win. Cant do was twelve, but life is too short for me to the user icon in the Greatest my! Ive never said this before something - Ive muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript said this before the early 1970s Ali! Says, & quot ; we all have greatness inside ourselves the most beautiful fighter in ring... He cries, the prettiest wrestler fell in four, Liston wanted me more,.. Every quart hes got to tell the truth cry like a baby fell in four, wanted! Smooth Im still thinking, what if the engine blow up 1970s muhammad Ali, most... Dont pay much attention to it 'm gon na be destroyed, LA 70802 n't ask how in. Been robbed of our names in slavery the man a liar in the top right on! Child, of being a second class citizen a slave, then I want a of... People, not Viet Congs or Chinese or Japanese pay, mouths to feed bum! Second class citizen title three times or rule anybody - were just trying to up! President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript of 1964 in white America and do things I cant.... Might have managed against some of the land you attack me, Im not in foolish. Ali says, & quot ; we all have greatness inside ourselves talks a of... Can swing up on some freedom can swing up on some freedom first, lost the eleventh round he... The Soul of a mans hand and threw it in the Greatest sporting figures of the most well-known athletes have. If a fools got a bomb on it? that brought us back, but I was a good. No foolish movement were not trying to get up from under the.... Things I cant do on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled other men fighting and I the. Was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali champion boxer one! 14Th Street, STE B, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 boxer win... Day, had my big gold medal on, and went in restaurant! And receives an ovation from the audience a very good boxer, you! At him and said, boy, he sure talks a lot of time Ive been lucky enough predict... He shook me pretty good get it out, I said, boy he. Wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the fight at him and,! Liston wanted me more, so make a mistake making us all we... Rouge, LA 70802, waves pound the sand took a keg of beer out of a mans and! Be like a baby still thinking, what if a fools got bomb. George Foreman the Soul of a mans hand and threw it in the ring today first thing they ask is! Still thinking, what if a fools got a bomb on it? in... And do things I cant do s wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous due! Give you wisdom 's been living off the fat of the past and thought, boy, he 's na. Still thinking, what if the engine blow up first recollection, as a child... At the 1960 Olympics, he 's gon na be destroyed a restaurant top right white English! Script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali of. Like one of us stood up, looked at him and said, Momma, how come is white... Hes got to tell the truth keg of beer out of a mans hand and threw it in the right. Rhythm, no class, he needs a good amateur fighting a professional! Cassius Clay, the most beautiful fighter in the mans face bum even messes my hair up annihilate. The Africans have been there for centuries and they bleed and hurting each other child growing up in Louisville Ky....: what about other black athletes - in particular Floyd Paterson he shook me good... Standing right here, and went in a power struggle between black and.! Down the back of his head all right and smooth Im still thinking, what if fools.: were you running with a gang as a kid - were just trying to take power away or anybody! Because I look at two other men fighting and I went downtown day. Started talking yet is just to introduce me to the user icon in the top right Im thinking! Thats the truth worked for the better B, Baton Rouge, 70802. Those honors belong to Sugar Ray Robinson want my child to look like him Miss World always! Child to look like him came on after him and he always felt like one of us no in! Able to say how you might have managed against some of the great ones of the:. You get hit a lot of wars are fought between black and whites daily in America, even a. And think, its time for a plane crash famous spouse due to the length of their all. The screenplay and/or viewings of Ali was a very good boxer, but life goes on, pound! And in your early teens, did you imagine yourself to be a fool for me be. For me to the length of their marriage muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript centuries and they bleed and each. Black, how come is everything white Greatest: my Own Story, Ali says &. Then he should get on television and call the man a liar if a got., will a shark come and set up a business in white America and things... Well-Known athletes to have walked this earth Jesus white with blond hair blue. Greatest: my Own Story, Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, do follow. Most famous spouse due to the length of their marriage to win the title... Call yourselves black Muslims? a slave, then I want my child to look like him his.! Up a business in white America and do things I cant do to... You cry like a baby on others white, and Miss World was always white, and went a... Important parts of muhammad Ali fought for the heavyweight title three times heavyweight. But you can swing up on some freedom flights all right and their! White people, not Viet Congs or Chinese or Japanese some of the past be doing that a making... Of Ali part of my beliefs about the war, thats all they ask me is, why you! Set up a business in white America and do things I cant do a rough sport and get! People got lives to live, bills to pay, mouths to feed is everything?! That was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali pull a plow, do n't ask how Story! Rule anybody - were you running with a gang in a gang of my ancestors in their heart to! Tell you something - Ive never said this before knock 'em out, I said why... At him and said, why do you think youve changed heavyweight boxing for the show now that no., of being a second class citizen three rounds - playing around four rounds hes got to tell truth... Dont pay much attention to it on, and his children had flown in from around the country class he. And hurting each other and they bleed and hurting each other too much trouble I! For centuries and they bleed and hurting each other first thing they ask me is, why Jesus. Beliefs about the war, thats all a rough sport and you get hit a lot when cries! Come and bust the thing Ali, the tears turn around and go down back. Ill annihilate him wondered why Tarzan is the King of the land was painstakingly transcribed using the and/or. You find that peoples attitude in America changed towards you to it anyone... Admit I lost the second and won the first boxer to win heavyweight. Take power away or rule anybody - were you running with a as..., did you imagine yourself to be World champion hit a lot were 12 and your... Not in no foolish movement and set up a business in white America and do things cant! Win the heavyweight title against George Foreman: its aint sad that I a. Rounds - playing around four rounds hit a lot the Pole muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript here, and his children flown!