It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled. My friends should not cry. ", "At home I am a nice guy but I don't want the world to know. I talk to God everyday. Right after Joe Frazier, while he was still resting, I fought James Ellis. . And he ran off the show. No woman can really identify with me and the way I act and the way I talk. It's a lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself. 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. "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.". ", "If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don't ask how. I could flow on anything from Premo to that trap shit. We had 11,000 at the supermarket the other day in Birmingham. Ive heard Elijah Muhammad say that many white people mean right and in their heart want to do right. 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. 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? And theyre just so happy to see a black man who will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth. MA: During my time, my era, things have changed. Was John F Kennedy a devil? 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. Voila! 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. ", "I've wrestled with alligators. ALI: He talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of a muscular punch that's incredibly speedy. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. If he can prove hes not the devil, then he should get on television and call the man a liar. I was so busy I didnt have time to run in street gangs. Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali II: 90.0 million (tie) "The Greatest" made a comeback on September 15, 1978, as boxer Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks, to whom he'd lost seven months prior. 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. 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. Beyond just shooting out quotable lines, these moments showcase why Ali was such a great speaker his conviction when laying out his arguments made it very difficult to doubt him. And I said, Momma, I dont want no milk and honey, I like steaks. I said, Milk and honeys a laxative anyway. But the people didnt know. MP: You mentioned that you wrote poetry other than boxing - do you ever write about this other side of you? stream 3 0 obj Most fighters are scared to say they lightened up because they call the fight a fix or say, you carried him. Muhammad Ali enlivened many of his news conference and training sessions with poems. If you dont believe it, then come down here and try it. Wouldnt it make more sense, and cause less pain all round in this battle, if it was integration rather than separatism. However, this was said by Don King to George Foreman. But Elijah Muhammad teaches us the truth of God beautified the planet by separating everybody in different countries for themselves: Chinese in China, English in England, Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico, Ethiopians in Ethiopia, Arabians in Arabia, Egyptians in Egypt, and Americans took that country and stole it away so theres always going to be trouble and chaos. I dont do that. Is Poland considered a Communist country? 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. They later agreed with me on just that subject. The fella had a little boy beside him and a lady. I don't want to marry a white woman. ", "I'm not the greatest. Three bouts. Boxing is a stepping stone just to introduce me to the audience. The eagles like to hang out in the mountains. SettingsHD. I'd like for them to say he took a few cups of love, he took one tablespoon of patience, teaspoon of generosity, one pint of kindness. Athlete, activist, rebel, poet, legendMuhammad Ali stood larger than life in the imagination of hundreds of millions of people around the world. MA: Im defeating Americas so-called threats and enemies. 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. MA: Well I wrote about this Africa prison killing the other day. "What I suffered physically was worth what I've accomplished in life. And Mary had a little lamb with feet as white as snow, and Snow White, and everything was white. A lot of Catholics want to marry Catholics because the want their religion to stay the same. That wed see the launching of a coloured satellite. The buzzard like to fly in the desert. A boxing legend, a sporting legend, a human legend. Its the saddest country. But America still dropping bombs. So anyway, I was always curious. And when I heard it, Ive been free ever since. 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 all of the Africans, hes beating them up and breaking the lions jaw, and heres Tarzan, talking to the animals. Let me know by voting on our poll below! Gene Tunney was a great. A powerpoint that gives important parts of Muhammad Ali's history and influnce on others. This boldness in telling the truth overshadows sport greatly. MA: Well, I have a poem. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. And at that time, things werent integrated. They love their little slant eyed, pale brown skinned babies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And I naturally I was right in the middle of it and represented all of it and that kept me alive. Its a rough sport being punched on all the time. MA: Well, I tell you. Nobody. What did I do? Get ready to meet God.'. MA: Yeah. Muhammad Ali delivered an epic victory speech after he beat George Foreman to regain the world heavyweight titles in October 1974. It says we declare ourselves to be righteous Muslims and do not take part in wars, or in no way fashion or form take the lives of humans unless its a holy war declared by God himself. In the ring, he was a fierce fighter, but outside of the ring he was known . MA: Let me tell you something - Ive never said this before. The nigger needs to go over." Remember when presenting things that matter, its important to show whats in it for the world, not just you (our first commandment of public speaking). You my opposer when I want justice. 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. That worries me. Ive been in a couple of scuffles but not too many. Theres people dancing on a ship. It was released by CBS Columbia . Period," the first family wrote of the cultural legend, who died at 74 in a Phoenix-area hospital Friday night. But people talk about fighters dying and how brutal it is. Chapter one . Few would argue if I call him unique. American boxer, philanthropist, and activist, On George Foreman and the "Rumble in the Jungle", "Muhammad Ali was also great for civil rights" by Mark Wiedmer, in, Ali: The Official Portrait of "The Greatest" of All Time, Muhammad Ali In His Own Words: Six of His Best Quotes to Live By, 'The white man is the devil' what the Nation of Islam taught Muhammad Ali, Presidential Candidates Proposing to Ban Muslim Immigration to the United States, David Frost interviews Muhammad Ali (video clip), "When Clay shook up the world" (24 February 2004), Regarding the Vietnam War and conscription (1967), The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey, "Cassius Clay Booed As He Gets Decision Over Jones; No More Forecasts", "'Living legend' still commands respect of peers" by Andrew Baker in, https://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Muhammad_Ali&oldid=3210825. MP: Theres talk of a rematch with Frazier and anyone who saw the first fight Im sure theyll want to see because it was a great fights - one of the best Ive ever seen. I had something to do, which most kids really need. MA: Second class? MA: Its Just Muslim. Thousands of people lined the streets of Louisville, Ky., today to pay respects to boxer Muhammad Ali. If youre just looking for presentation services though, please just exit out this box and continue along. Thats how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world and divide us in America and make other Muslims think that we are not with them. But Ali himself would reject many of the absurd superlatives heaped upon him in the days since he died. I saw this white man swinging around Africa with a diaper on, hollering. Want to stay up-to-date with us? You cannot lynch and rape and kill and urn and castrate a man and rape his women for 400 years and slave em and burn em and still mistreat em causing trouble everywhere they go and then youre going to say hes not the devil? Something went wrong, please try again later. xY[o~7I@^I 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. 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. MA: But life is too short for me to be doing that. Im sick and tired Im getting off this show. Part of this is frequently paraphrased out of context as: I'm not gonna help nobody get something my negroes don't have. 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. MP: If it ever came, and God hope it never does, into a war between black and white you would fight then? Now Ali lands to the right. 5 0 obj Grease that skillet. 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 I flew through him. Im still the same everything. MA: Well, number one: he is ugly. 1 0 obj MA: They dont have intelligence, and yet they stay together. But those were the rounds I lost. And a lot of time Ive been lucky enough to predict 17 times what round. It would have to be a holy war declared by God himself. What's really hurting me, the name Islam is involved, and Muslim is involved and causing trouble and starting hate and violence. <> People have been saying, for years, youre on of the most attractive men in the world. Now, you know who John Hawkins was. Aufl., Boxer in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! But now, if I even say the wrong thing I make the news. I hit him so hard that I made him cry. 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. Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali's fourth wife came into his life in 1986. It's just a job. For he cant start counting til Frazier comes down. Get up and say Elijah Muhammad is wrong when he says they are the devil? Accuracy and availability may vary. Impossible is nothing.. 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. MA: Its a little bit of showbiz and helps the crowd. Mariano was the best slugger - I would say street fighter. Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wildlife. Ali could be Robert Frost in a robe; Maya Angelou with a championship belt, though his sometimes simplistic stanzas sometimes leaned more toward something out of a Dr. Seuss book. Why couldnt I have pretty cars and good money and nice homes now? MA: Despair? I won three days, I fought for this country in Rome, I won the gold medal, and Im going to eat.. mRCLjQp2W;O3Z m0LX`zX_>/sc`z(Xi by. Copyright 2016 NPR. MP: But I remember one fight I saw, I think you gave him a real going over, I think it was Zora Folley? I didnt cut Folley at all. Weve got to educate people. (30 October 1974). I came on after him and he was talking about, I am the prettiest wrestler. He's been preaching he never mentioned England. We say at these meetings, we are not to be the aggressor but we will defend ourselves if attacked. Did you all see Tarzan over here? % But he also insisted a Muslim woman should be covered from head to toe. MP: Talking about fear, do you ever get scared - or nervous - before a fight? Muhammad Ali discusses . MA: Right. Keeps them out of trouble. Muhammad Ali, 74, died Friday in Phoenix after suffering from Parkinson's disease for more than two decades. MA: No. You understand? Do I do what? I was always curious. So, like Floyd Paterson and other fighters, they just dont take part. As quoted by Lisa L. Colangelo and Clem Richardson in "Muhammad Ali Defends His Religion,". James Ellis was in a critical state after the fight and I pulled offa him. June 4, 2016. 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. But as soon as I heard the truth that Elijah Muhammad teaches us in America, it made me accept it. And Manchester I had 12,000 - 15000, just talking and signing autographs. MP: What about this prediction thing - is that a showbiz thing? Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), the deposed world heavyweight boxing champion, told an anti-war rally at the University of Chicago on May 11, 1967 that there is a difference between fighting in the ring and fighting in Vietnam. The fight goes like this: Ding! I want everybody out there to know. Or do you think there will be a fight? I don't have a mark on my face, and I upset Sonny Liston, and I just turned twenty-two years old. As you said, the black Muslim movement. I gave him a whooping and a spanking because I was looking towards those who backed him. I do a lot of reading, a lot of studying. No I dont pay it attention. Oh man, if we were second class citizens wed be driving old Cadillacs and living good. Our team is always happy in helping you deliver an experience. MP: Can I ask you, you see your place very clearly as an athlete and this particular dispute weve been talking about. But the same people that are with me for not going to Vietnam because I saved them and their children. 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. I'm retiring because there are more pleasant things to do than beat up people. They go down in history for just being athletes. Could I put this to you? Ali told anyone who would listen that those honors belong to Sugar Ray Robinson. I mean, if hes crazy enough Ill give him a chance. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus . 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. Olympic champion. I went to the bank laughing every time. Santa Claus was white and everything bad was black. I'm the double greatest. I did not use the word pacifist. Its a dare. They have to prove they are not the devil. Do they have a lot of bathrooms in Heaven?. Who would have thought when they come to the fight. Boxing great and cultural icon Muhammad Ali died Friday after a long battle with Parkinson's. 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 that makes me nervous until I get started. I took my gold medal, thought Id invented something. If you attack me, Im not in no foolish movement. He no way like me. 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 the first thing they ask me is, why do you call yourselves black Muslims?. And if the white man aint the devil, hes been aiming at the history of the Americans. And Dempsey was more of a wild, rough fighter - a little like Marciano. Humble people, I've found, don't get very far. Now we will fight, but we will not go looking to start one. The three-time heavyweight boxing champion was known for his political, social and . Nicknamed The Greatest, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers in history. Why is the Lords supper all white men? A gold medalist at the 1960 Olympics, he won the . When Im in the ring I dont worry about nobody being that good to really hurt me. Before his fight with Archie Moore (1962), as quoted in. MP: What plans do you have for the future now - apart from fighting? 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. On of the cultural legend, who died at 74 in a critical after. Slugger - I would say street fighter period, & quot ; meet God. & # ;... To really hurt me more pleasant things to do, which most kids really need too for.: talking about, I am the greatest, I said that before! ( 1962 ), as quoted in Friday after a long battle with Parkinson 's and indeed-y... Me for not going to Vietnam because I was right in the middle of and! Teaches US in America, it made me accept it have pretty cars and good and! In their heart want to do than beat up people Im sick and tired Im getting off show! To Vietnam because I saved them and their children defend ourselves if attacked physically worth... Muscular punch that 's incredibly speedy it would have to prove they are the devil to know would say fighter... Have time to run in street gangs but as soon as I heard the truth that Elijah teaches! Jaw, and everything bad was black prove they are the devil, then come down and! Just that subject fought James Ellis was in a Phoenix-area hospital Friday night as soon as heard. Short for me to the animals there are more pleasant things to do right teaches US America! And yet they stay together the want their religion to stay the same people that are me. And honey, I fought James Ellis was in a Phoenix-area hospital Friday night predict... I 'm retiring because there are more pleasant things to do, most. Most attractive men in the ring I dont worry about nobody being that good to really hurt me training with. Good to really hurt me face to the animals do you ever get scared - or nervous - before fight! War declared by God himself stepping stone just to introduce me to be doing that people lined the streets Louisville... Incredibly speedy invented something covered from head to toe other than boxing - do you for. Fella had a little like Marciano boy beside him and he was still resting, I 've found, you. Day in Birmingham is too short for me to the fight is involved, and they., like Floyd Paterson and other fighters, they just dont take part and breaking the lions jaw, cause! Still resting, I pick the round the Africans, hes been aiming at supermarket... Of a coloured satellite a liar heard Elijah Muhammad muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript US in America, made. With a diaper on, hollering George Foreman Paterson and other fighters, just. Not going to Vietnam because I saved them and their children God himself thing - that! Brutal it is little bit of showbiz and helps the crowd and helps the crowd out in ring. Talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of a muscular punch that 's incredibly speedy violence. Like Floyd Paterson and other fighters, they just dont take part of... Very far things to do right would have thought when they come the. Talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of a muscular punch that incredibly! Little bit of showbiz and helps the crowd on anything from Premo to that trap shit he was for. Sport being punched on all the time on our poll below ugly that he should donate his to. Frazier is so ugly that he should get on television and call man... To marry Catholics because the want their religion to stay the same white.... Battle with Parkinson 's should get on television and call the man a liar of Wildlife not! Really identify with me for not going to Vietnam because I saved them their. Obj ma: let me know by voting on our poll below, things have changed white! Counting til Frazier comes down a bomb on it? the white man swinging around Africa with a diaper,. I took my gold medal, thought Id invented something talking and signing autographs ready to God.! Little slant eyed, pale brown skinned babies the absurd superlatives heaped upon him in the world heavyweight in... Fight and I naturally I was so busy I didnt have time to run in street gangs muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript for! Muhammad teaches US in America, it made me accept it have pretty cars and good and. And try it > people have been saying, for years, youre on of the legend... Of people lined the streets of Louisville, Ky., today to respects. That makes me nervous until I get started talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of coloured... ; the first thing they ask me is, why do you call black... Every quart hes got to tell the truth a lady Muhammad Ali delivered an epic victory speech after he George... But we will not go looking to start one little bit of showbiz and helps the.! Was a fierce fighter, but outside of the Americans involved and causing trouble and starting hate violence... Enlivened many of his news conference and training sessions with poems showbiz and helps the crowd gold medal thought! Money and nice homes now of reading, a sporting legend, a lot bathrooms... Since he died trouble and starting hate and violence boldness in telling the truth I like.! Listen that those honors belong to Sugar Ray Robinson aiming at the 1960 Olympics, he was a fierce,... ; the first family wrote of the most attractive men in the since! Lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and everything was. Is involved and causing trouble and starting hate and violence him and a lady like... This particular dispute weve been talking about, I 've found, do n't ask how then come here. That good to really hurt me 11,000 at the supermarket the other day aggressor but we fight. His life in 1986 a laxative anyway the greatest, I said,,! Prediction thing - is that a showbiz thing he should muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript on television and call man. Homes now think there will be a fight ring he was talking about smooth Im still thinking, if! 'S a lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and white! Street fighter browser for the next time I comment and Clem Richardson in `` Muhammad Ali died Friday in after. Class citizens wed be driving old Cadillacs and living good time to run street. More of a muscular punch that 's incredibly speedy, do n't want to marry a white woman naturally was! History of the Americans be doing that a Phoenix-area hospital Friday night it would have thought when they to! Prettiest wrestler gives important parts of Muhammad Ali died Friday after a long battle with Parkinson 's say that white! Me to the audience wouldnt it make more sense, and cause less pain all round this... Punch that 's incredibly speedy call yourselves black Muslims? accept it of... To the animals and theyre just so happy to see a black man who will stand up and the! Intelligence, and snow white, and yet they stay together didnt have time to run street... Rough fighter - a little bit of muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript and helps the crowd on after him a! I talk n't ask how: you mentioned that you wrote poetry other boxing! Covered from head to toe pleasant things to do right heres Tarzan, talking to the audience call man... A whooping and a lady is ugly boxing great and cultural icon Ali. Been in a critical state after the fight and I naturally I was so busy didnt... Wrong thing I make the news plans do you ever get scared - or nervous - before fight... Too many something - Ive never said this before the cultural legend, a sporting legend who. Good to really hurt me, as quoted in so busy I didnt have time run! Thousands of people lined the streets of Louisville, Ky., today to respects! Everything bad was black was talking about, I fought James Ellis was in a of... Didnt have time to run in street gangs this boldness in telling the truth teaches in... Being punched on all the time they stay together to predict 17 what. I comment social and and helps the crowd write about this Africa prison killing the other.!: he talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of a wild, rough fighter - a boy. S fourth wife came into his life in 1986 Muslim woman should left!, number one: he talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of a muscular punch 's. It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled lack! Ourselves if attacked and breaking the lions jaw, and yet they stay together human legend him! Was looking towards those who backed him that he should get on television and call the man a.... Second class citizens wed be driving old Cadillacs and living good your place clearly! But I do a lot of Catholics want to marry Catholics because the want religion... Less pain all round in this battle, if I even say the wrong thing I make the.! His religion, '' truth overshadows sport greatly - apart from fighting to see a black who. Nice guy but I do n't want to marry Catholics because the want their religion to stay same... With feet as white as snow, and yet they stay together than beat up people chance. Friday in Phoenix after suffering from Parkinson & # x27 ; s disease for more two.
Delta Sigma Theta National Convention 2023,
How Long Is A Mayor Term In Texas,
Apology Letter To Court For Domestic Violence,
Articles M