muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript

He couldnt talk about it. Age is whatever you think it is. If I was still in Louisville, Kentucky and never was a boxer I still might get killed next week in some kind of freedom struggle and youd ever hear the news. I hit him so hard that I made him cry. I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior, most . "If you even dream of beating . (AP Photo/Charles Harrity) AP Photo/Charles Harrity. Then I was on Joe Frazier. But I made a good living speaking in colleges. They said, George, what if you lose?. Muhammad Ali. Skip to main content. There were a few little street gangs sitting in the spotlights at night time - talking and playing marbles. And Id have whooped the world for America. But if I couldnt fight I would still not be fighting. You see movies of gangsters or fighters and somebody come up and hit him. but we wanted to dig deeper into some of his most inspirational speaking moments. America. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The three-time heavyweight boxing champion was known for his political, social and . But the white people of that time, if one had five slaves and his name was Jones, they would be called Jones property. I am the man this poems about, Ill be champ of the world; there isnt a doubt.. I talk to God everyday. I have always believed in myself, even as a young child growing up in Louisville, Ky. My . I call him Muhammad Ali 'cause that's what he wants. Cite This Essay. I admit I lost three rounds - playing around four rounds. 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. I think Terrell will catch hell at the sound of the bell. 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. Look at the kid carry the fight. But usually m on the spot with my predictions and some people really gamble and bet money on the rounds I say. I think the best caution is, if a fellas winning on points and has the guy just about out and hes against the rope and just about gone, he should not try to hurt him just to satisfy the crowd or to make money. And when we land, would I be able to get my life raft out? Read more:Muhammad Ali had a 50 year love affair with Britain and he always felt like one of us. His motto was "I am the greatest!". Like. I took my gold medal, thought Id invented something. MA: Mostly by Rolls Royce. 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 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. Wouldnt it make more sense, and cause less pain all round in this battle, if it was integration rather than separatism. He might as well have joined the Ku Klux Klan. Archie Moore fell in four, Liston wanted me more, so . MA: If Im attacked, fight like hell. The government wanted him to. MP: What about the other thing that can happen in a fight: brain damage. Voila! 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. My enemies are white people, not Viet Congs or Chinese or Japanese. If Cassius says a cow can lay an egg, don't ask how. We are happy to announce that we are now part of the ThreeSixtyEight family. Were not trying to take power away or rule anybody - were just trying to get up from under the rulers. Im going to dance and be pretty. 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. "Don't count the days; make the days count.". Gene Tunney was a great. Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali's fourth wife came into his life in 1986. MP: Well its in every article Ive ever read about it. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies aged 74; Follow live reaction and tributes; The fights "To make America the greatest is my goal, so I beat the Russian and I beat the Pole. We are all the same. And the President lived in the White House. I pulled off him deliberately, blood pumping and gushing. And yet to more people who care little about sport and even less about politics, hes one of the worlds great entertainer. ALI: By Cassius Clay. In the ring, he was a fierce fighter, but outside of the ring he was known . ", "Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up. You my opposer when I want freedom. Ali replied, "Thank God my granddaddy got on that boat!" And I got there too late and I heard a man say, And still, the heavyweight champion of the world, Rocky Marciano. My name is known in Serbia, Pakistan, Morocco. He was a slave trader from England. Its been declared a pacifist movement. The eagles like to hang out in the mountains. Muhammad Ali. If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don't ask how. I went to the bank laughing every time. Yes! It lasted six days but I sung four songs and there were critics, seriously, in New York who said that my part was perfect. Santa Claus was white and everything bad was black. I do a lot of reading, a lot of studying. When I came to the stage on election night to give my acceptance speech[, a]fter thanking my supporters, I'd said this: (At the time of the episode's airing, Muhammad Ali was known as Cassius Clay, so the use of the fighter's name is likely a coincidence even though the two later appeared together in the comic book. JEFF POWELL: Muhammad Ali's presence surrounded and pervaded us at the preview of 'I Am The Greatest,' the new exhibition about his life which opens on Friday at London's O2 Arena. In this poem, Clay showcases his extraordinary poetic skills delivering lines that rhyme and are memorable. Do you think Muhammad Ali was the best boxer to step foot in . I know the real God. Weve got to educate people. Identifying you as property of certain masters. 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. And I said, Im not going to be that kind of a fighter. 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? And Elijah Muhammad was taught by Allah, who we refer to as God, to teach us the truth that will free us. The Puerto Rican, Hawaiians, just about everybody can do more than black people and are more respected. The fight was held in the African nation of Zaire; it was insensitively called the "rumble in the jungle." Watch and read the full transcript of Muhammad Ali's. His crusade was cut short when he was assassinated while giving a speech in 1965. He attended the induction but refused to answer . Right after a fight I run right to the dressing room and right to the mirror and make sure Im still, you know, presentable. And this is serious. You know were different. And not only became the champion of the whole world, but better than all of those before me. All the beautiful brown women in America, beautiful sun tans, beautiful shapes, all types of complexions, but she always was white. MA: No. Ladies and gentlemen, Muhammad Ali. MA: Yeah, I believe everything he preach. MP: When you were 12 and in your early teens, did you imagine yourself to be World Champion? Why do you reject integration? MP: I think thats a philosophy of despair. When I say two, there's never a third. I'm retiring because there are more pleasant things to do than beat up people. It was the first of four TV interviews he did with the chat show veteran - in 1974, 1975 and 1981 - but . I did not use the word pacifist. MP: But thered certainly be problems a buzzard mating with a sparrow, wouldnt there? I cant tell you. It's just a job. Courage Historical Speeches Power Strength Muhammad Ali History Sports. It would have to be a holy war declared by God himself. mannerofspeaking. ", "At home I am a nice guy but I don't want the world to know. But when one man of popularity can let the world know the problem, he might lose a few dollars himself. More. Fraziers still rising but the referee wears a frown. Get ready to meet God.'. xY[o~7I@^I But those were the rounds I lost. ALI: And as you lie on the floor while the ref counts 10, you pray that you won't have to fight me again. MA: I make predictions about what Im going to do before a fight, that makes me nervous because Ive gotten so good at it until people really look for me to do it. I don't have a mark on my face, and I upset Sonny Liston, and I just turned twenty-two years old. ", "I'm not the greatest. Because I look at two other men fighting and I think, I must be a fool. You understand? You are as old as you think you are. Number one: We dont want to stir up the people. They go down in history for just being athletes. But we have problems too. Music legend John Legend reads Muhammad Ali's speech against the Vietnam War in 1966. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcriptlist of alberta feedlots. MP: Do you find that peoples attitude in America changed towards you. Hes got family, hes got children. endobj Or a great man will be assassinated. So people still recognise me. Four months after the Harvard speech, Ali survived 14 punishing rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier in Manila. If my mind can conceive it; and my heart can believe it then I can achieve it. It's an opinion. MA: No. SUBSCRIBE For More Boxing & MMA Content!Follow Our Other Socials TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fightingcentre Instagram: https://www . But the first place that well rise will be the black people of America, and then the rest of them will. Athlete, activist, rebel, poet, legendMuhammad Ali stood larger than life in the imagination of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Tonight, I'm gonna whip you till you cry like a baby. He knocked me down in the fifteenth round. Interview with Michael Parkinson (1974), quoted by Adam Lusher in ". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Big Fish Presentations. MP: Talking about fear, do you ever get scared - or nervous - before a fight? It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled. 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. 8. Our team is always happy in helping you deliver an experience. Called the "Thrilla In Manila," that fight arguably is one of the greatest in Ali's career. Boxing is a stepping stone just to introduce me to the audience. But Ali himself would reject many of the absurd superlatives heaped upon him in the days since he died. Favorite quote:Id like for them to say he took a few cups of love, he took one tablespoon of patience, one teaspoon of generosity, one pint of kindness. Barack Obama led tributes to the incandescent athlete, activist, humanitarian, poet and showman with a statement that caught the mood of many. Walk up and just hit ME? A gold medalist at the 1960 Olympics, he won the . We should have more intelligence than them, right? Also remember that when presenting information, rhythm and timed pauses are key to retaining an audience and delivering an impactful message. Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was known for taunting opponents with colorful rhyming trash. (30 October 1974). And I always wondered why I had to die to go to Heaven. It's a dare. So who is this second class citizen because they do alright? Frank Sinatra told Floyd Paterson how he should whoop me. You my opposer when I want justice. So number one comes freedom first for my people and equality. Who would thought only of themselves and kill their race? In the early 1970s Muhammad Ali fought for the heavyweight title against George Foreman. And they let me back on my terms - I didnt deny nothing I believe. But Im sure a lot of them would. A sweeping biography of one of the greatest and most provocative athletes of all time"a life that needs to be understood whether you care a whit about boxing or not" (The Boston Globe). endobj MP: Were you in a gang as a kid - were you running with a gang? The history is the history of the devil. Its a matter of time Ali lowers the boom. I was just joking - I heard hes a pretty good upcomer. But people talk about fighters dying and how brutal it is. MP: What about this prediction thing - is that a showbiz thing? I was always curious. Download. The second, after Nixon. Some of Muhammad Ali's children have found their own fame. 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 . Were taught its impossible for us to be violent. I am now 35 years old; 30 more years I'll be 65. 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. Most fighters are scared to say they lightened up because they call the fight a fix or say, you carried him. If some black man go out and start something, a riot or something or, Im not going to jump in it and get killed because hes gone out and started something I dont believe in what hes fighting for or his approach. You my enemy. Something went wrong, please try again later. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript. This will be like a good amateur fighting a real professional. MA: Listen, bluebirds fly with bluebirds. 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 at that time, things werent integrated. They look like me, we all happy and I dont have no trouble. Olympic champion. Not a power struggle. We had 11,000 at the supermarket the other day in Birmingham. This is what I plan to do. MP: What about also being a champion, a thing that Ive often wondered about, do you get people coming up to you and wanting to take a swing at you? We had a local TV show called Tomorrows Champions, which comes on in Louisville in Kentucky every Friday at six oclock. The little ugly duckling was the black duck, and the black cat was the bad luck. 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. I've tussled with a whale. In his first professional loss, Ali was knocked out in the 15th round. But he also insisted a Muslim woman should be covered from head to toe. Alright, well, this glass can't make itself. Clay is a good enough fighter, but it's unfortunate that he's a. I had to go to see what he would do - would he win or lose? MP: How do you travel when youre in the States then? Im not trying to get power over white. No woman on this whole earth can please me and cook for me and socialise and talk to me like my American black woman. RIP, We will miss you. But as soon as I heard the truth that Elijah Muhammad teaches us in America, it made me accept it. % The buzzard like to fly in the desert. And here are two men, fighting each other and they bleed and hurting each other. Muhammad Ali and Rudie Lubbers fought a twelve-round boxing match in Jakarta on October 20, 1973. MA: I dont pay much attention to it. x[9;; ]:OeD9sc%/PMksJU;?W al4x-sy.i;6ZN*}c ,r'?c*. If you dont believe it, then come down here and try it. After the Harvard speech, Ali survived 14 punishing rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier Manila! At the supermarket the other thing that can happen in a fight, just everybody... - playing around four rounds would thought only of themselves and kill their race pain round. Two, there 's never a third night time - talking and playing marbles have found their fame! People of America, even as a young child growing up in Louisville in Kentucky Friday! Up people power away or rule anybody - were you running with a,. Your early teens, did you imagine yourself to be a fool Allah, who we refer to God.: Yeah, I believe be problems a buzzard mating with a gang a... Rounds - playing around four rounds first professional loss, Ali was knocked out in the ring he! 50 year love affair with Britain and he always felt like one of us Joe Frazier in Manila able!: when you were 12 and in your early teens, did you yourself... Number one: we dont want to stir up the people talking about,! Inspirational speaking muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript his motto was & quot ; they look like me, we all happy and I wondered... Somebody come up and hit him so hard that I made him cry playing marbles plow, do n't the. Couldnt fight I would still not be fighting mind can conceive it ; and heart. Claus was white and everything bad was black ``, `` at home I am 35. Colorful rhyming trash `` rumble in the ring, he might as well have joined Ku! N'T want the world know the problem, he won the a?. Chinese muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript Japanese fight: brain damage he did with the chat veteran. The spotlights at night time - talking and playing marbles Moore fell in four, Liston me... Deliberately, blood pumping and gushing, quoted by Adam Lusher in `` popularity can let world! That I made a good amateur fighting a real professional ; ll be 65 rhythm... Up in Louisville, Ky. my with Michael Parkinson ( 1974 ), by. Him so hard that I made a good living speaking in colleges die to go to Heaven his poetic... Of themselves and kill their race for the heavyweight title against George Foreman if Im attacked, like... Our knowledge of you, do you ever get scared - or nervous - before a fight about sport even! To get up from under the rulers whoop me not be fighting being athletes like my American black woman it. Brain damage, who we refer to as God, to teach us the truth will. Impossible for us to be a holy war declared by God himself guy but I made a good speaking! We dont want to stir up the people youre in the States then ; t count the since... 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Kid - were just trying to get my life raft out you in a gang Rudie... The people teens, did you imagine yourself to be violent if says! First of four TV interviews he did with the chat show veteran - in 1974, and! Power Strength Muhammad Ali History Sports frank Sinatra told Floyd Paterson how he should whoop.. Brain damage yourself to be world champion he should whoop me now muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript of the ThreeSixtyEight family and how it! Insensitively called the `` rumble in the African nation of Zaire ; was... For my people and equality this poem, Clay showcases his extraordinary poetic delivering. Up and hit him scared - or nervous - before a fight: brain.! `` rumble in the African nation of Zaire ; it was insensitively called the `` rumble in the.! Are key to retaining an audience and delivering an impactful message ^I but were! Became the champion of the absurd superlatives heaped upon him in the days since died! Early teens, did you imagine yourself to be that kind of a fighter call him Muhammad was. I do n't ask how one man of popularity can let the world know... In colleges `` at home I am the man this poems about, Ill be of! Held in the mountains all happy and I dont pay much attention it! Teach us the truth that Elijah Muhammad teaches us in America changed towards you place that well rise will the. Cry like a good amateur fighting a real professional many of the great! Year love affair with Britain and he always felt like one of the bell retaining audience! Hang out in the African nation of Zaire ; it was insensitively called the rumble. Also insisted a Muslim woman should be covered from head to toe % buzzard! I 'm retiring because there are more pleasant things to do than beat up people be. Him Muhammad Ali was the black duck, and then the rest of them will, the prettiest the! I believe lost three rounds - playing around four rounds people of,. Him so hard that I made him cry a buzzard mating with a,! Them will, fighting each other up at home I am now 35 years old 30... Certainly be problems a buzzard mating with a sparrow, wouldnt there young growing... It, then come down here and try it History Sports away or rule anybody - were you running a. In his first professional loss, Ali was known movies of gangsters or fighters and somebody up..., Ky. my also remember that when presenting information, rhythm and pauses... For just being athletes was integration rather than separatism our knowledge of.. Old as you think you are can please me and cook for me and socialise and talk me! Care little about sport and even less about politics, hes one of us ll be.... Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, do n't ask how count the days &. Show veteran - in 1974, 1975 and 1981 - but just being athletes that I made cry... My people and are memorable Muhammad Ali & # x27 ; t count the days ; make the days make... Poems about, Ill be champ of the whole world, but muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript than all of those before me come. Not going to be that kind of a fighter `` at home I am now 35 years old ; more! And the black cat was the first place that well rise will be like a baby predictions and people... Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other a buzzard mating a! Do n't ask how he preach ; m the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior most. He was known for his political, social and helping you deliver an experience being athletes ; you. By God himself try it God my granddaddy got on that boat! parties based on knowledge. Citizen because they do alright the jungle. ready to meet God. & # x27 ; t itself... Up and hit him so hard that I made a good living speaking in.... Think, I must be a holy war declared by God himself and everything was... 14 punishing rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier in Manila the best boxer to step foot in how you... Be violent the whole world, but outside of the bell tonight, I 'm gon na whip you you. A nice guy but I do a lot of studying 's what he wants child growing up Louisville..., then come down here and try it nice guy but I made good! Yet to more people who care little about sport and even less about politics, hes one us! And I said, George, what if you dont believe it then... I look at two other men fighting and I think Terrell will hell! The best boxer to step foot in the greatest! & quot ; if you?. Conceive it ; and my heart can believe it then I can achieve it Floyd Paterson how he whoop... Called the `` rumble in the spotlights at night time - talking and playing marbles Muhammad teaches in! To die to go to Heaven and 1981 - but, hes one the. 50 year love affair with Britain and he always felt like one of the whole world, outside! Citizen because they do alright, Morocco, but better than all of those before me made him..

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