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 . I was always at the gymnasium every day at six oclock after school. "Muhammad Ali was The Greatest. I always wondered why Tarzan is the King of the Jungle in Africa, he was white. I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali. Impossible is temporary. Barack Obama led tributes to the incandescent athlete, activist, humanitarian, poet and showman with a statement that caught the mood of many. MA: I believe in the holy Koran. But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance. A lot of Catholics want to marry Catholics because the want their religion to stay the same. Pakistanis love their culture. But I dont control the aeroplane or the pilot. Its impossible for 30 million black people to be violent against 170 million - we need a mental revolution, unity in coming together, and not physical. Gorgeous George, a famous American wrestler who is deceased now, was there talking before myself. He dont say nothing. Something to think about, aint it? I always wondered why. Like Joe Lewis was one of the greatest fist fighters but didnt have the foot work. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. Ali lost to Leon Spinks in 1978, and regained the title the same year by defeating Spinks. It was 1967 when Muhammad Ali refused to . Id had about 35 fights so I came up on this show. I don't want to marry a white woman. I call him Muhammad Ali 'cause that's what he wants. If the white folks is in Heaven too, then the black angels were in the kitchen, preparing the milk and honey.. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I'm the greatest thing that ever lived. Ellis has got a family, hes an ex friend of mine and he wants to live too. But weve been there 600 years and there aint no peace between black and whites because the cultures are different - like the Chinese and Mexicans cannot integrate: the music is different, the eating is different. Part of this is frequently paraphrased out of context as: I'm not gonna help nobody get something my negroes don't have. Oh man, if we were second class citizens wed be driving old Cadillacs and living good. Im not that big of a fool. 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. "The rumble in the jungle"saw Ali fighting the heavy weight boxing champion, George Foreman, in Kinshasa . Repeat that question. They later agreed with me on just that subject. They prowl the streets day and night - they shooting, hitting, its crazy. If you knew it was God calling you would fight for God. Check out Muhammad Ali's I am the Greatest highlight reel and speech! And its been happening and they never get the ones. Ali recognizes that for all the horror of slavery, it was the transmission belt that brought Africans into the orbit of Western freedom. Could I first start of by asking you, youve been the champion of the world three times, and youre now the ex champion, do you feel that people are treating you differently now that you are the one-time champion? 00:00. This is a strong indication for a presenter on the power of being humble and real. 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. Alleged response by Ali to a reporter who asked how he felt about sharing the Islamic faith with the suspects of the World Trade Center terrorist attack, as debunked at. And when I heard it, Ive been free ever since. And shoot them for what? MP: Yes, I was going to ask you about what attracted you to leave to the Muslim faith. Ali first met Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad 's chief disciple at the time in Detroit in 1962. "What I suffered physically was worth what I've accomplished in life. And I went downtown, I sat down, and I said, A cup of coffee, a hotdog., The lady said, We dont serve Negroes. I was so mad, I said, I dont eat them either, just give me a cup of coffee and a hamburger., You know, I said, Im the Olympic gold medal-winner. Life Lessons From Muhammad Ali. 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. Tell me when Im wrong. And who went to jail? The government wanted him to. Its an opinion. It said: "Muhammad Ali was the Greatest. January 10th, 1957 April 4th, 1968 The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is founded to help work for full This is part of whats wrong with you -- you do too much singing. Muhammad Ali was not only a boxing champion, he was a championship talker. ALI: This kid's got a left. Impossible is not a declaration. Remaining Time -0:00. ", "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong. 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. This will be like a good amateur fighting a real professional. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Big Fish Presentations. His good Roman Catholic boy Floyd Paterson. You understand? And when we land, would I be able to get my life raft out? The three-time heavyweight boxing champion was known for his political, social and . I can remember a couple of real fights when I ran. 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. And the angel fruit cake was the white cake and the devil food cake was the chocolate cake. And the heavyweight championship is his destiny. Something went wrong, please try again later. Did you all see Tarzan over here? 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. SUBSCRIBE For More Boxing & MMA Content!Follow Our Other Socials TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fightingcentre Instagram: https://www . And that makes me nervous until I get started. And that brought us back to his spoken word album he made in 1963, "I Am The Greatest." We owe Ali for teaching us these very important lessons. And Miss World was always white, and Miss Universe was always white. Muhammad Ali was indisputably a great boxer and ultimately a good human being. Accuracy and availability may vary. An Olympic gold medalist and the first fighter to capture . Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. I never wanted to lose, never thought I would, but the thing that matters is how you lose. Red birds fly wanna be with red birds. Were taught its impossible for us to be violent. People like Tom Jones and Elvis Presley - Im not nothing like that. I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior, most scientific, most skillfullest fighter in the ring today. Your email address will not be published. MA: I cant really say. Im sad because I want to bow out of my race and leave my beautiful identity? Not a power struggle. %PDF-1.5 And the first thing they ask me is, why do you call yourselves black Muslims?. I tell you what I really fear. You been hearing about how bad I am since you were a little kid with mess in your pants! ". 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. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure: only Ali could truly deliver it. People got lives to live, bills to pay, mouths to feed. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcriptlist of alberta feedlots. And I went downtown that day, had my big gold medal on, and went in a restaurant. Im not ducking and running from nothing. I don't try to move into white neighborhoods. Im sure we all have this built-in radar of what we predict and when it happens, we feel I knew it. I said, Momma, why is everything white? I always wondered. The hype was part of my job, like skipping rope. This page was last edited on 9 December 2022, at 18:34. Impossible is not a fact. Variant transcription: Who would have thought, when they came to the fight. So, in 1971, Ive had just about five fights and Ive go three more planned after Buster Mathis. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. I had to go to see what he would do - would he win or lose? You'll also get our monthly newsletter AND a free copy of our eBook "The Building of Stories," because we're just so nice. This boldness in telling the truth overshadows sport greatly. He would stand an easier chance in Vietnam with a BB gun. What they mad about? Our team is always happy in helping you deliver an experience. Ive heard Elijah Muhammad say that many white people mean right and in their heart want to do right. Now, all of a sudden, the man tells me, come on - I want you to leave the galley because I want you up here to have something to drink and giving me number one spot. I have no racial problems, I dont go where Im not wanted. Ali was not the tallest boxer, nor was he as bulky as most other boxers of his time, his punches were not the strongest, but he was still the best fighter of his time. SIEGEL: Those were excerpts from Muhammad Ali's poem, "I Am The Greatest," recorded in 1963. When really theyre not happy because she got some Puerto Rican music, hes got him some Chinese music and theyre going to be clashing all the time. Never. Do you think youve changed heavyweight boxing for the better? "If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it.". And I aint that much in love with no woman to go through that hell - aint no one woman that good. ALI: And as you lie on the floor while the ref counts 10, you pray that you won't have to fight me again. 3 0 obj Its a dare. When they gave me my title back I could have waited for Joe Frazier but I didnt. I know the real God. And a lot of time Ive been lucky enough to predict 17 times what round. It's just a job. Boxing great and cultural icon Muhammad Ali died Friday after a long battle with Parkinson's. I beat people up. Subscribe to Iconic: http://bit.ly/zVEuIYMuhammad Ali makes his legendary 'I Am The Greatest' speech to reporters ahead of his 1964 world title bout with Son. P.S. Also remember that when presenting information, rhythm and timed pauses are key to retaining an audience and delivering an impactful message. MA: Oh were much different. He is the greatest! I dont consider myself no attractive man. You dont shoot yourself. He's got speed and endurance. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Tell Joe I'll win the fight." They said, "The nigger talks too much. Three bouts. Right after a fight I run right to the dressing room and right to the mirror and make sure Im still, you know, presentable. Put your money where your mouse is. 1942-2016: Muhammad Ali's Life in Pictures, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Muhammad Ali Remembers the Rumble in the Jungle, Muhammad Ali Jabs at Donald Trump After Muslim Exclusion Plan, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Finally, the Ali script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Michael Mann movie starring Will Smith as Muhammed Ali. So when I heard that we dont have our names, we dont speak our true Arabic language, we were robbed of Islam, our true religion, and weve been made deaf, dumb, and blind in slavery. I saw this white man swinging around Africa with a diaper on, hollering. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. This was a way of working off your nerves, like you did with Liston and indeed all the people you fight. ", "I know I got it made while the masses of black people are catchin' hell but as long as they ain't free, I ain't free. Sir Michael who has described Ali as the most extraordinary man I have met questioned the boxer on his views on religion and race and he was as outspoken outside of ring as he was on it. MP: Are you able to say how you might have managed against some of the great ones of the past? 6. They have alienated many from learning about Islam. A Jewish name. His motto was "I am the greatest!". MP: Well its in every article Ive ever read about it. You think Im going to appear on American television and tell you I dont believe in what Elijah Muhammad teach and Im one of his number one main followers? He thought that Joe Louis was the greatest heavyweight champion of . % "It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am." 7. He was still known as Cassius Clay. Only Tarzan can talk to the animals. I'm pretty. On June 3, 2016, the world lost a champion in Muhammad Ali. He was a slave trader from England. Takeaway: In this video, Muhammad explains his view on what really matters in life and receives an ovation from the audience. I ask questions, Ill go out, travel these countries, Ill watch how their people live, and I learn. Thousands of people lined the streets of Louisville, Ky., today to pay respects to boxer Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali. It would have to be a holy war declared by God himself. 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 didnt run with a gang - I didnt have time. Because I can control it. (1942-2016). And they always say precautions should be taken and talk about how gloves should be bigger and fighters should wear face protection. 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. But in terms of sports personalities -- or celebrity personalities -- he was on the highest plane. In the mornings I would run, looking forward to future golden gloves and Olympic tournaments. I wanna tell you something. On training, as quoted by Pete Axthelm and Peter Bonventre in "Ali: Born Again!,". MP: Because I dont think Im any different to you, you see. Im just in the galley working and I never could get up to see the captain of the ship. Ali was honest enough to admit it. A lot of peoples features change. <> The boxing legend rolled back the . Last night when you went to bed and woke up this morning, you don't remember a thing. I'm retiring because there are more pleasant things to do than beat up people. Ali would subsequently go on to attend the rallies and lectures of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad. These are countries that don't follow the Kentucky Derby. Instead of making the audience hear about his plans of retirement, he turned the moment into a teaching moment on the things that truly mattered to him. 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? UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Chanting) Ali, Ali, Ali, Ali. So I kept working until I did it. I loved Muhammad Ali, he was my friend. I think were all brothers - thats the truth. It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled. 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. MA: No. When I say two, there's never a third. Selflessness and vulnerability will get people to listen. He might lose his life. Response to the question, "What would you like people to think about you when you've gone?" 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