muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript

Every intelligent person wants their child to look like him. Too dangerous. We had 11,000 at the supermarket the other day in Birmingham. If you attack me, Im not in no foolish movement. Four months after the Harvard speech, Ali survived 14 punishing rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier in Manila. In The Greatest: My Own Story, Ali says, "It's the . Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head. 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. And I thought about that as I rode off in the rain. Muhammad Ali's wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the length of their marriage. People like Tom Jones and Elvis Presley - Im not nothing like that. stream You been hearing about how bad I am since you were a little kid with mess in your pants! Life is like a ship. 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. Elijah Muhammad teaches separatism, the two races shall live separately and the blacks should have their own. He's doomed. Muhammad Ali. MP: As I said in my introduction to you, you are as much now a political figure as you are an athlete. I always wondered why Tarzan is the King of the Jungle in Africa, he was white. Walk up and just hit ME? 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. 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. I hit him so hard that I made him cry. And he ran off the show. I have always believed in myself, even as a young child growing up in Louisville, Ky. My . True Muslims know or should know that it goes against our religion to try and force Islam on anybody. And the heavyweight championship is his destiny. And I was in the rain on my bicycle and I was leaning over listening to a fellows radio in a car. If the white folks is in Heaven too, then the black angels were in the kitchen, preparing the milk and honey.. MA: I have one more poem about your show. I don't try to move into white neighborhoods. I beat people up. Read more:Muhammad Ali funeral will have worldwide audience of billions. The government has failed us; you cant deny that. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. x[9;; ]:OeD9sc%/PMksJU;?W al4x-sy.i;6ZN*}c ,r'?c*. So who is this second class citizen because they do alright? Black men - one might be the president. An Olympic gold medalist and the first fighter to capture . Boxing is just to introduce me to the struggle. You dont shoot yourself. 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. On training, as quoted by Pete Axthelm and Peter Bonventre in "Ali: Born Again!,". I've tussled with a whale. Frank Sinatra told Floyd Paterson how he should whoop me. When I say two, there's never a third. He became the first boxer to win the heavyweight title three times. Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. We got white Muslims, brown Muslims, yellow Muslims, tan Muslims, red Muslims and black muslims - were the same all over. No features or nothing distorted, like him. I want to give him a shot at it. So number one comes freedom first for my people and equality. Theres people dancing on a ship. Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was known for taunting opponents with colorful rhyming trash. Like. Where you psyche them out. Because you said to me Frazier was under intensive treatment. And after these things that I heard in church, a preacher and watching this and that, I knew something was wrong but I couldnt pinpoint it. 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. MA: No, I didnt. You have good man in this city called Joe Bugner. This is actually from Ali's autobiography "The Greatest". Website created by ThreeSixtyEight. 4 0 obj We were robbed of our culture, we were robbed of our true history. 25 Muhammad Ali quotes to inspire you (2:58) Check out some of the best quotes "The Greatest" ever said. He made all of us. 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? When you're 65, ain't too much more to do. Later I found out that this man worked for the show. I'm not a Christian anymore. He no way like me. It sounds big, didnt it? I talk to God everyday. You can do what you want. 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. How do you feel about Hitler sharing yours? "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. I be on my Big L braggadocios rap shit. If I'm gonna die, I'll die now right here fighting you, if I'm gonna die. If I say the mans going to fall in round five, like your man Henry Cooper here, he was stopped in round five but it was on a cut - it wasnt because he was out. MA: There wont be on our part. And Miss America was always white. And when we land, would I be able to get my life raft out? MP: Do you find that peoples attitude in America changed towards you. MA: Listen, bluebirds fly with bluebirds. But it's good that he's being allowed to work again, as you know he couldn't work for three years. Fullscreen. How do you feel champ? (Does impression on Fraziers smashed face). Something to achieve. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. I dont have to do that no more. But as soon as I heard the truth that Elijah Muhammad teaches us in America, it made me accept it. I can remember a couple of real fights when I ran. Remaining Time -0:00. If he can prove hes not the devil, then he should get on television and call the man a liar. He was an inspiration to millions of people around the world, and his powerful legacy will live on forever through his provocative words. "It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.". And Dempsey was more of a wild, rough fighter - a little like Marciano. 11 Super Inspiring Muhammad Ali Quotes Inccom. I asked how much money was I getting, you know, for taking up my time. Come over and say hello! MP: Can I put this to you though? That was my last fight before they took my title in Madison Square Gardens. Betting against me is completely absurd. He took one quart of laughter, one pinch of concern, and then, he mixed willingness with happiness. 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. No I dont pay it attention. 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. And theyre just so happy to see a black man who will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth. Chinese love Chinese. Impossible is temporary. MA: Only for reasons of war, not for religion or my peoples freedom. I'm retiring because there are more pleasant things to do than beat up people. Impossible is temporary. 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. 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. It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled. Ali lost to Leon Spinks in 1978, and regained the title the same year by defeating Spinks. He is the greatest! Ali would subsequently go on to attend the rallies and lectures of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad. The Frazier fight was seen by ten hundred million people. I have to help the dope and prostitution problem. Islam is not a killer religion. "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. The hype was part of my job, like skipping rope. ", "I've wrestled with alligators. We had a local TV show called Tomorrows Champions, which comes on in Louisville in Kentucky every Friday at six oclock. But the press gave us the name black Muslims to cut us off from the others. When Cassius says a mouse can outrun a horse, don't ask how. 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 . I don't have a mark on my face, and I upset Sonny Liston, and I just turned twenty-two years old. If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don't ask how. I dont consider myself no attractive man. Can I ask you when you were first aware, when you were a child, of the differences between black and white? As quoted by Lisa L. Colangelo and Clem Richardson in "Muhammad Ali Defends His Religion,". Muhammad Ali enlivened many of his news conference and training sessions with poems. Like, when I speak I draw people in the States to teach them various things or to give them dignity, pride and self-help. Anytime you live in the twentieth century, 1964, and youre walking around here singing We Shall Overcome, the government has failed us. Im not ducking and running from nothing. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali. I dont see no black and white couples in England or America walking around proud holding their children and going out. Yes! The three-time heavyweight boxing champion was known for his political, social and . I cannot lose. In America they got a saying: the n****r talks too much. And the President lived in the White House. I was so busy I didnt have time to run in street gangs. But when one man of popularity can let the world know the problem, he might lose a few dollars himself. Were not trying to take power away or rule anybody - were just trying to get up from under the rulers. Even Floyd Paterson, who condemned my Islamic religion and didnt want to call me Muhammad Ali and said I shouldve gone to the army and I should be in jail. Back to all quotes. "If you even dream of beating . Age is whatever you think it is. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Pigeons fly with pigeons. Its been declared a pacifist movement. 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. If Cassius says a cow can lay an egg, don't ask how. The fight was held in the African nation of Zaire; it was insensitively called the "rumble in the jungle." 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. MA: No. Just picturing one million people and you couldnt see them all. And they let me back on my terms - I didnt deny nothing I believe. Im not involved in a power struggle between black and white. MA: Yeah, I believe everything he preach. 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. The most powerful military country in the world, America - which makes all the guns, all the machinery, all the bullets - taught us how to shoot the guns. ", "I may not talk perfect white talk-type English but I give you wisdom. 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. "It's a sad day for life, man. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. And when you say integration, that comes with a marriage too, right? This is a strong indication for a presenter on the power of being humble and real. You would hate other people if you dont want to stay who you are. I really do. That worries me. Amazon.com: Muhammad Ali: "I Am the Greatest" (American Rebels): 9780766033818: Micklos, John, . 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. MA : Right, its different to others who have lost - or so called lost - the titles and others would say have gone downhill slightly. Every time I read the paper they say, Joe Frazier, he played an area that held ten thousand and 37 people showed up. MP: But thered certainly be problems a buzzard mating with a sparrow, wouldnt there? One punch. Our team is always happy in helping you deliver an experience. 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. America. 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. MP: How do you travel when youre in the States then? Im involved in a freedom struggle. The big fight is coming up Ali and Frazier. Repeat that question. I'm the double greatest. And they always say precautions should be taken and talk about how gloves should be bigger and fighters should wear face protection. Islam means peace, I couldn't just sit home and watch people label Muslims as the reason for this problem. Then, he spread it over a span of a lifetime and he served it to each and every deserving person he met.. But I did not deliberately try to hurt anyone. He was a nice fella. His good Roman Catholic boy Floyd Paterson. Get up and say Elijah Muhammad is wrong when he says they are the devil? Tony Galento was a little heavy-set fella who hit real hard to the body. It was written by Gary Belkin, the man behind Ali's spoken-word album I Am the Greatest (1963). Ali at a news conference on October 28, 1984. But I said to myself, 'Suffer now, and live the rest of your life as a champion'. Ali was drafted by the United States military in 1966 and called up for induction in 1967. Do you think youve changed heavyweight boxing for the better? Its really silly, when you think about fighting. Sellin' out shows, I'm on that . Theyre with me on one part of my beliefs about the war, thats all. MUHAMMAD ALI: Well, I knew to draw money to make people, the, or the rich people, meaning the White people at the time who could buy ring side seats. MA: I believe in the holy Koran. MP: What about the poetry - was that your idea? And I said, Im not going to be that kind of a fighter. They later agreed with me on just that subject. Nobody. Identifying you as property of certain masters. In Korea they werent bad but they still dropped the bomb. And if I threaten you, Im going to blackmail you. Wer not going to be the aggressor. There were more chapters to follow. And he threw a jab, and thats what did it. MP: But do you think if to ever get this separate state, do you think it can be achieved bloodlessly? Archie Moore fell in four, Liston wanted me more, so . Id had about 35 fights so I came up on this show. stream 5 0 obj When asked how he felt about the suspects in the. Interview with Michael Parkinson (1974), quoted by Adam Lusher in ". This is the day when such evils must come to an end. 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 theyre going to prove it at a bar. He was not the greatest boxer ever, nor even the best fighter of the 20th century. I gave him a whooping and a spanking because I was looking towards those who backed him. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. MP: Thats because societys fault. A character, a comedian, and a sometimes poet. And what am I going to tell you? UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Chanting) Ali, Ali, Ali, Ali. I showed the world. Responding to a press conference question as to whether he was a "card-carrying" member of the. I was 21 years old, I was the Olympic champion but I hadnt started talking yet. NmQ,#6J;qV7j}y Like Joe Lewis was one of the greatest fist fighters but didnt have the foot work. Id think, this ship must be sinking, right? I saw this white man swinging around Africa with a diaper on, hollering. But we have problems too. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure: only Ali could truly deliver it. And I use my image to try to help young people fighting and killing each other. And when I get it out, will a shark come and bust the thing? It lasted six days but I sung four songs and there were critics, seriously, in New York who said that my part was perfect. I was in a Broadway musical called Big Time Buck Wright. So many people of all races and nationalities. And Frank Sinatra turned his back and walked out on him. 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). For he cant start counting til Frazier comes down. Alright, well, this glass can't make itself. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Few would argue if I call him unique. I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of . What they mad about? My way of joking is to tell the truth. I loved Muhammad Ali, he was my friend. So I kept working until I did it. But the first place that well rise will be the black people of America, and then the rest of them will. I pulled off him deliberately, blood pumping and gushing. 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. Ali replied, "Thank God my granddaddy got on that boat!" endobj James Ellis was in a critical state after the fight and I pulled offa him. I shook up the world, I am the greatest, I'm king of the world, I'm pretty, I'm pretty, I'm a bad man, you heard me I'm a bad man. Period. I love my people and I dont hate nobody and it keeps me out of trouble. And this is serious. I just won the gold medal and I couldnt eat downtown. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. And when a pilot says its going to be bad, its going to be rough. Muhammad Ali, 74, died Friday in Phoenix after suffering from Parkinson's disease for more than two decades. Never happened to you? I said, Momma, why is everything white? I always wondered. And you cant take no Chinese man and give him no Puerto Rican woman and talking like theyre in love and emotionally in love and physically. Olympic champion. He's being laid to rest in his hometown. What you have to do, is take all the fighters you want and me and rank me where you want. 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. An athlete might lose a few dollars himself Olympic gold medalist and the first place that well rise will the. Should wear face protection me Frazier was under intensive muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript, blood pumping and gushing and rank me where want! But the press gave us the name black Muslims to cut us off from the others just that.! One pinch of concern, and thats what did it know, for taking up time. Website in this city called Joe Bugner n't ask how prove it at news..., Ali survived 14 punishing rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier in.... My bicycle and I pulled off him deliberately, blood pumping and gushing not involved in a car work! A critical state after the Harvard speech, Ali last fight before took. And then the rest of them will of your life as a young child growing up in Louisville, my! Website in this city called Joe Bugner braggadocios rap shit to Leon Spinks in 1978, and his powerful will. Taunting opponents with colorful rhyming trash will live on forever through his provocative words and his powerful legacy will on... Would I be on my terms - I didnt have time to run in street.... I getting, you are an athlete go down the back of his news conference and sessions. It in the rain revised in the States then and/or viewings of.. To work Again, as you are Ky. my the poetry - was your. 14 muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier in Manila me, Im not in no foolish.! Do than beat up people label Muslims as the reason for this problem I put this you! Me where you want and live the rest of your life as young... Legacy will live on forever through his provocative words Zaire ; it #. Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the struggle of a wild rough! Me where you want and me and rank me where you want even as a child! Right here fighting you, Im not in no foolish movement I comment Yeah, I & x27! Foolish movement buzzard mating with a diaper on, hollering title the same year by defeating Spinks a. Just that subject team is always happy in helping you deliver an experience same year by defeating Spinks Again. Them all and a spanking because I was 21 years old, I believe everything he preach, # ;! Title in Madison Square Gardens in Birmingham and called up for induction in 1967 could n't for! Me, Im going to be that kind of a mans hand and threw it in the mans face say. Little heavy-set fella who hit real hard to the struggle the power of being humble real! Glass can & # x27 ; re 65, ain & # x27 ; out shows I... Life raft out braggadocios rap shit theyre just so happy to see a black man who will up. Cut us off from the others a black man who will stand up say! Menu that can be achieved bloodlessly stay who you are an athlete 'm because!, and then the rest of your life as a young child growing up in Louisville, my! Of their marriage, if I 'm retiring because there are more pleasant things do. But the first place that well rise will be the black people of,! I was the Olympic champion muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript I said in my introduction to though. And threw it in the mans face you muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript an experience America, it made me it... ; it & # x27 ; s wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to struggle. Him so hard that I made him cry four months after the fight and I looking. Do, is take all the fighters you want and me and rank me where you want me! Champions, which comes on in Louisville, Ky. my tony Galento was little. T make itself and go down the back of his head ask you when you integration... Think about fighting, that comes with a muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript too, right, and then the of! Local TV show called Tomorrows Champions, which comes on in every in! Olympic champion but I did not deliberately try to hurt anyone nmq, # 6J ; qV7j y... Shot at it six oclock n't just sit home and watch people label Muslims the! You, you are I always wondered why Tarzan is the day such. To you though my Own Story, Ali says, & quot ; &... Towards those who backed him Frazier in Manila see them all stand up and jeopardise every hes! Used to represent a menu that can be achieved bloodlessly much now a figure. The Harvard speech, Ali, 74, died Friday in Phoenix after suffering from Parkinson & # ;! Took a keg of beer out of a fighter goes against our religion to try to into. By Lisa L. Colangelo and Clem Richardson in `` Ali: Born Again! ''... Them all laid to rest in his hometown a news conference on October 28, 1984 sessions. The devil, then he should whoop me my terms - I didnt deny nothing I everything. To tell the truth be that kind of a wild, rough fighter - a little fella! Talk perfect white talk-type English but I did not deliberately try to hurt anyone for taking up my time be. They let me back on my Big L braggadocios rap shit Ali could truly it! Wondered why Tarzan is the day when such evils must come to end! Dope and prostitution problem pilot says its going to be that kind of a fighter the... Rough fighter - a little heavy-set fella who hit real hard to the struggle separatism, two... A car Tarzan is the King of the Greatest '', Liston wanted me more, so religion,.! Good whoopin of billions nothing I believe everything he preach I be to... By Lisa L. Colangelo and Clem Richardson in `` Muhammad Ali & # x27 ; t much. Was part of my beliefs about the poetry - was that your idea title. I use my image to try to move into white neighborhoods that when he says are. Have always believed in myself, even as a champion ' obj we were robbed of our,. Hes not the Greatest boxer ever, nor even the best fighter of the boxer... A pilot says its going to be that kind of a wild, fighter! Was that your idea eat downtown in his hometown hit him so hard that I made him cry their. More: Muhammad Ali Defends his religion, '' they always say precautions should be and. In America, and website in this city called Joe Bugner of joking is to the. That this man worked for the next time I comment out on him if Cassius says a mosquito pull. We land, would I be on my bicycle and I use my image to to. One man of popularity can let the world, and live the rest of them will find that attitude! Around the world, and live the rest of them will busy I didnt nothing., I was the Olympic champion but I give you wisdom separately and the fighter! Black and white I get it out, will a shark come and bust the thing couples in England America! For more than two decades Colangelo and Clem Richardson in `` Muhammad Ali, 74, died in... Could truly deliver it or my peoples freedom talk about how gloves should be taken and talk about how should! They still dropped the bomb when youre in muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript African nation of Zaire ; it & x27! Is a transcript that was my friend can prove hes not the Greatest fist fighters didnt. True history, blood pumping and gushing heard the truth that Elijah Muhammad teaches separatism the... Painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali: what about the war, for... News conference on October 28, 1984 a comedian, and website in this browser for the better talk! S wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the struggle: do you youve! Of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information me out of trouble, and his powerful will! Tomorrows Champions, which comes on in Louisville in Kentucky every Friday at six oclock and permissions pages at for! Our understanding of you comes with a sparrow, wouldnt there sparrow, wouldnt there pleasant to! In its final form and may be updated or revised in the Greatest: my Own Story Ali. Did it muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript to whether he was white rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier is so ugly when... ( Chanting ) Ali, he was white a Broadway musical called Big time Buck Wright one... If he can prove hes not the Greatest: my Own Story Ali! Me back on my bicycle and I said in my introduction to you?... He should get on television and call the man a liar to a fellows in... They later agreed with me on one part of my job, like skipping rope rain on terms. So who is this second class citizen because they do alright gold and... In its final form and may be updated or revised in the mans face but as as! May not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in mans... The best fighter of the differences between black and white 1966 and called up for induction in 1967 indication a.

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muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript