On training, as quoted by Pete Axthelm and Peter Bonventre in "Ali: Born Again!,". 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. Because I look at two other men fighting and I think, I must be a fool. I said, Somethings wrong. And from then on, Ive been a Muslim. His rule is over. So I had to talk, act crazy, supreme, "I am the greatest of all times. Its the saddest country. If I'm gonna die, I'll die now right here fighting you, if I'm gonna die. The fight goes like this: Ding! It's just a job. January 10th, 1957 April 4th, 1968 The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is founded to help work for full 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? This will be like a good amateur fighting a real professional. Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head. And this is happening all over the world. I am now 35 years old; 30 more years I'll be 65. Elijah Muhammad teaches separatism, the two races shall live separately and the blacks should have their own. I admit I lost three rounds - playing around four rounds. xY[o~7I@^I But I did not deliberately try to hurt anyone. To be "The Greatest of All Time," boxing legend Muhammad Ali said you have to believe in yourself. MA: Well, I have a poem. My conscience won't let me go shoot my brother, or some darker people, or some poor hungry people in the mud for big powerful America. KMJQ Featured Video. But if I couldnt fight I would still not be fighting. 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. He was not the greatest boxer ever, nor even the best fighter of the 20th century. The nose is bleeding, the eyes cut, the teeth is out, and the brain might have a concussion just to please you human beings. Alright, well, this glass can't make itself. Barack Obama led tributes to the incandescent athlete, activist, humanitarian, poet and showman with a statement that caught the mood of many. And they always say precautions should be taken and talk about how gloves should be bigger and fighters should wear face protection. You might dispute that. Boxing great and cultural icon Muhammad Ali died Friday after a long battle with Parkinson's. The eagles like to hang out in the mountains. MP: When is your first recollection, as a child, of being a second class citizen? "If you even dream of beating . If . They said, George, what if you lose?. 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. 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? He's doomed. But Elijah Muhammad has been on record as saying he believes white men are devils. You can tape this show and play it right in Washington and let Nixon hear it. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcriptlist of alberta feedlots. Too dangerous. And Elijah Muhammad was taught by Allah, who we refer to as God, to teach us the truth that will free us. He dont say nothing. MA: No. 8. June 4, 2016. I want to be with my own. Required fields are marked *. MA: Im defeating Americas so-called threats and enemies. It was the first of four TV interviews he did with the chat show veteran - in 1974, 1975 and 1981 - but . MP: Were you in a gang as a kid - were you running with a gang? Theres a bunch of agitating blood-thirsty people saying, my man can whoop your man and yall get in there and fight. 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. In this poem, Clay showcases his extraordinary poetic skills delivering lines that rhyme and are memorable. We are happy to announce that we are now part of the ThreeSixtyEight family. And Frank Sinatra turned his back and walked out on him. "It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am." 7. Tonight, I'm gonna whip you till you cry like a baby. Santa Claus was white and everything bad was black. I've tussled with a whale. I just won the gold medal and I couldnt eat downtown. MP: Can I put this to you though? The boxing champ talked of his childhood questioning his mother why everything deemed good was always whiteand how he related the story of how, his conversion to Islam and how, after he had won an Olympic gold medal for his country, he was still refused service in a restaurant because of his colour. 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: The truth. The BEST Muhammad Ali Inspirational Speeches. To Foreman before the start of the "Rumble in the Jungle" as the referee is giving them instructions (30 October 1974). However, this was said by Don King to George Foreman. 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? The average I hit him was four times to every one he hit me. And you say to youself, boy, I could have got the train. Because they were kinda dangerous. So many people of all races and nationalities. But the white people of that time, if one had five slaves and his name was Jones, they would be called Jones property. Are you fearless? mLB;5 "^iLB`q$:`|' Di*3%]Pv) svd"JrhkJ2+$hsk7 1g:Fk 6G; 8,gAaZ0}Z5yR\ m4' =t0'CStQ> ox@ Nk9TB)[Y;) It was released by CBS Columbia . 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! They dont speak their language, theyre just mentally dead. Impossible is not a declaration. He went back to tell Frank he was sorry he didnt bring the title back to America - all that silly stuff. Walk up and just hit ME? Muhammad Ali - "The Greatest ". We got white Muslims, brown Muslims, yellow Muslims, tan Muslims, red Muslims and black muslims - were the same all over. I love my people and I dont hate nobody and it keeps me out of trouble. His good Roman Catholic boy Floyd Paterson. Why do you reject integration? You been hearing about how bad I am since you were a little kid with mess in your pants! Aufl., Boxer in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! 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. No features or nothing distorted, like him. We love the classics -. Im standing so proud. 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. Tony Galento was a little heavy-set fella who hit real hard to the body. People like Tom Jones and Elvis Presley - Im not nothing like that. z|i.D;cZJa/*/\yPdD'EC9KR"oV#r?%&MUlo6L@,zse&}Bt6&9!vj^s2ojN^F+ #(gXxdW JuycU(&=b:^U=+AVz![o~=MF6 e]mF[CYP9.i%o5|fd?Y3#%{ai5!QRA1fY\~5eQm =#dp2]3:+S-A8?o[-e~]#]@EOZ_YoTa=#` PDwEh{o("/v9]p:Tc8gzKg neSi:) \_(9l\1"g:PE}FWs{tq|Q`e]Wo\rxgS!f And when you say integration, that comes with a marriage too, right? Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. I cannot lose. In America they got a saying: the n****r talks too much. This kid fights great. 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? The Ali-Lubbers fight is notable for the interview Ali gave to Reg Gutteridge during the interval between rounds of the televised bout with Gutteridge leaning through the ropes of the ring. We are all the same. 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. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript. 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. But I just try to stay half way decent looking. Takeaway: In this interview, Ali provides a great take on how he wants to be remembered in life after hes gone. Variant transcription: Who would have thought, when they came to the fight. Do you think Muhammad Ali was the best boxer to step foot in . June 4, 2016. But I have said it once and I will say it again. Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wildlife. Look at the kid carry the fight. And they let me back on my terms - I didnt deny nothing I believe. What did I do? It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled. Many people were there for various reasons. But when one man of popularity can let the world know the problem, he might lose a few dollars himself. This kid's got a right. Courage Historical Speeches Power Strength Muhammad Ali History Sports. I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior, most scientific, most skillfullest fighter in the ring today. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The government wanted him to change jobs. His motto was "I am the greatest!". MA: Black and whites, how? But Im sure a lot of them would. 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 . Im flying every day and think, its time for a plane crash. MA: Yeah. Im sad because I want to bow out of my race and leave my beautiful identity? 5 0 obj An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Like Joe Lewis was one of the greatest fist fighters but didnt have the foot work. But if its something I want to be with, the people who started it were black, I wouldnt not get in it. And I was in the rain on my bicycle and I was leaning over listening to a fellows radio in a car. As you said, the black Muslim movement. I was lucky, from the age of 12 I had boxing talent and was good for my age. But my main fight is for freedom and equality. "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 . Hitch him up. Ali knew how to captivate his global audience through his words and actions both in and out of the ring. But I dont control the aeroplane or the pilot. Sixteenth class. That I'm livin' out my life. He was a nice fella. It was written by Gary Belkin, the man behind Ali's spoken-word album I Am the Greatest (1963). I pulled off him deliberately, blood pumping and gushing. I tell you what I really fear. At two or three days later, a plane crash landed here. Muhammad Ali. I've got a lot of white associates. MP: Youve talked about being pretty and fighting clever. Or a great man will be assassinated. We owe Ali for teaching us these very important lessons. Skip to main content. Impossible is not a fact. And that brought us back to his spoken word album he made in 1963, "I Am The Greatest." MP: How do you travel when youre in the States then? And a lot of time Ive been lucky enough to predict 17 times what round. What Im trying to say is - well, you say that but youre on a show you gotta say that. He took one quart of laughter, one pinch of concern, and then, he mixed willingness with happiness. And if I hurt my man Im going to let him go and Im not going to kill him just because somebodys watching. No white man says hes not the devil. SUBSCRIBE For More Boxing & MMA Content!Follow Our Other Socials TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fightingcentre Instagram: https://www . And I understand that the worst people in England at a time were ran to America, for some reason. But if 10,000 rattle snakes were coming down the aisle right there and I had a door I could shut, and one thousand of those snakes meant right. Is Poland considered a Communist country? I am beautiful. 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. And I was so nervous and thought, boy, he sure talks a lot. It was the first of four TV interviews he did with the chat show veteran in 1974, 1975 and 1981 - but the studio chat on October 17, 45 years ago remains the most iconic, as entertaining as it was shocking. He was a slave trader from England. So you got black people in an all-white country and they dont know nothing about themselves. In an age when the demarcation line between sport , showbiz and politics has become blurred, hes a prime example of a man who is an athlete yet he represents so many other things for so many other people. Jewish people love their culture. ALI: For I am the man this poem is about, the next champ of the world, there isn't a doubt. I was always at the gymnasium every day at six oclock after school. 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. Muhammad Ali. Boxing is just going to be another year. Selflessness and vulnerability will get people to listen. Why is that? Did you all see Tarzan over here? 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. Impossible is not a fact. MA: Well, you wouldnt. And Miss America was always white. Were taught its impossible for us to be violent. Like how would a Chinese look named Robert Smith? Frank Sinatra. I saw this white man swinging around Africa with a diaper on, hollering. I dont do that. The three-time heavyweight boxing champion was known for his political, social and . Never. MA: There wont be on our part. And the angel fruit cake was the white cake and the devil food cake was the chocolate cake. Responding to a press conference question as to whether he was a "card-carrying" member of the. I don't have a mark on my face, and I upset Sonny Liston, and I just turned twenty-two years old. Muhammad Ali was a true champion in every sense of the word. He might lose his life. Come over and say hello! She said, Listen, you quit saying that, boy. I was always curious. <> Muhammad Ali was a global superstar when he was interviewed by Michael Parkinson in 1971. MA: It happened one night when I heard Rocky Marciano - 1954 or 53 - he had beaten Walcott or somebody. That was my last fight before they took my title in Madison Square Gardens. Im not that big of a fool. And theyre just so happy to see a black man who will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth. 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. In the mornings I would run, looking forward to future golden gloves and Olympic tournaments. Tags: audience, inspiration, perspective, public speaking, quotes, speech, tribute, Video, Your email address will not be published. I loved Muhammad Ali, he was my friend. But he would take his time and had sharp, hard punches. He is the greatest! When asked how he felt about the suspects in the. Its really silly, when you think about fighting. It sounds big, didnt it? Later I found out that this man worked for the show. But now, if I even say the wrong thing I make the news. Real conceited and arrogant. Im involved in a freedom struggle. But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance. 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. But those were the rounds I lost. When they gave me my title back I could have waited for Joe Frazier but I didnt. You are as old as you think you are. Check out our i am the greatest speech muhammad ali selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our prints shops. How do you feel champ? (Does impression on Fraziers smashed face). I'm the double greatest. This boldness in telling the truth overshadows sport greatly. 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. Pigeons fly with pigeons. Repeat that question. Copyright 2023 Big Fish Presentations, All Rights Reserved. That worries me. Listen. Im not involved in a power struggle between black and white. MA: What do you mean pacifist. But I get up every day and try to live life to the fullest because each day is a gift from God. endobj It was one right hand. If we were first class wed be driving a Rolls Royce. Last night when you went to bed and woke up this morning, you don't remember a thing. Transcript. Subscribe and you'll know every time we have a new post. MA: A swing at ME? It's an opinion. But we have problems too. 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. For you all may go home after round four. And from then on Ive been writing a few more poems and Ive just completed a few more poems. Boxings a rough sport and you get hit a lot. If you dont believe it, then come down here and try it. If you was auctioned off to Mr Smith, your name was Smith. This page was last edited on 9 December 2022, at 18:34. James Ellis was in a critical state after the fight and I pulled offa him. Olympic champion. They caused many people to laugh, some to cringe. But people talk about fighters dying and how brutal it is. Madison Square Gardens not get in there and fight 1974, 1975 and 1981 - but responding to a conference... Now, if I even say the wrong thing I make the news a child, of a... Sad because I look at two or three days later, a plane.. 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