Which is five times the population of the United States. But when one man of popularity can let the world know the problem, he might lose a few dollars himself. Impossible is not a declaration. Muhammad Ali was a very good boxer, but he was not unbeatable. It's just a job. endobj He was hospitalized in Arizona with breathing problems earlier in the week, and his children had flown in from around the country. Later I found out that this man worked for the show. Oh no. I showed the world. He became the first boxer to win the heavyweight title three times. 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). I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Put your money where your mouse is. Here are our three favorite speeches from The Greatest: 1: When asked what he was going to do when retiring from boxing, Favorite quote:What am I going to do for the next 16 years whats the best thing Im going to do? Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali's fourth wife came into his life in 1986. I must be the greatest. MA: Oh were much different. They love their little slant eyed, pale brown skinned babies. I have always believed in myself, even as a young child growing up in . I mean it but I put emphasis on it. January 10th, 1957 April 4th, 1968 The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is founded to help work for full I pulled off him deliberately, blood pumping and gushing. MP: Have you never lost your temper in the ring and really wanted to kill the guy? Sixteenth class. But he would take his time and had sharp, hard punches. 2 0 obj Pakistanis love their culture. It was 1967 when Muhammad Ali refused to . We were robbed of our culture, we were robbed of our true history. Ali gained worldwide attention in 1960 when, at the age . I want everybody out there to know. MP: Because I dont think Im any different to you, you see. Hitch him up! MA: If Im attacked, fight like hell. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali. Response to the question, "What would you like people to think about you when you've gone?" Olympic champion. 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. If Cassius says a cow can lay an egg, don't ask how. Three bouts. They make a million dollars, they get a Rolls Royce and a nice home and a white wife and think, well, I made it. MP: Alright, well you call yourselves a pacifist movement. Chapter one . I mean, if hes crazy enough Ill give him a chance. 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. Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) spars with challenger Floyd Patterson in 1965. Are you fearless? I dont consider myself no attractive man. As thousands of people mourn Muhammad Ali at his funeral in Louisville, Ky., NPR remembers his 1963 poem, "I Am The Greatest.". MA: I need to get everything straight. Red birds fly wanna be with red birds. 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. Nobody was hurt. I'm the greatest thing that ever lived. Check out Muhammad Ali's I am the Greatest highlight reel and speech! And I said, Momma, I dont want no milk and honey, I like steaks. I said, Milk and honeys a laxative anyway. Muhammad Ali's wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the length of their marriage. He was not the greatest boxer ever, nor even the best fighter of the 20th century. Like when youre in a car, when someones turning corners and youre kinda on the edge and watching. MA: I cant really say. 1 0 obj MA: Well I wrote about this Africa prison killing the other day. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Im invited to all of their homes all over the world and Im invited to Muslim countries. If he hits you once, you're asleep for the night. The BEST Muhammad Ali Inspirational Speeches. Not a power struggle. 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. If . Impossible is not a fact. There aint no such thing as black Muslims. We had 11,000 at the supermarket the other day in Birmingham. MP: I read a book about you and he said one theory put forward by way of explanation towards your opponents before fights was in fact that this was nerves. Hitch him up. No woman on this whole earth can please me and cook for me and socialise and talk to me like my American black woman. Remaining Time -0:00. Here are two men like two roosters - you know, cock fighters - and they put knives on them and they are mad and fighting and dont even know each other, just to please somebody. "I Am the Greatest!" Muhammad Ali once said "I am the greatest! Should I let those rattle snakes come down, hoping that those one thousand get together and form a shield? 00:00. Ellis has got a family, hes an ex friend of mine and he wants to live too. His agility was impressive, but what was most impressive was his confidence in himself. Impossible is nothing. The fella had a little boy beside him and a lady. Period. I didnt run with a gang - I didnt have time. My name is known in Serbia, Pakistan, Morocco. For he cant start counting til Frazier comes down. He has no rhythm, no footwork, no class, he cannot talk. <> He thought that Joe Louis was the greatest heavyweight champion of . Never happened to you? Those rattle snakes didnt want to bite me and I knew they were good. MP: I think thats a philosophy of despair. Ali would subsequently go on to attend the rallies and lectures of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad. MA: I dont fear for that. He was still known as Cassius Clay. If the white folks is in Heaven too, then the black angels were in the kitchen, preparing the milk and honey.. He is also often regarded as one of 'the greatest' athletes to have ever existed. The fight goes like this: Ding! Im standing so proud. No good in him, no justice, he's gonna be destroyed! 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. MA: Yeah, hes OK now. I came on after him and he was talking about, I am the prettiest wrestler. x[9;; ]:OeD9sc%/PMksJU;?W al4x-sy.i;6ZN*}c ,r'?c*. I Am the Greatest is a comedy album by boxer Cassius Clay, released in August 1963 - six months before he won the world heavyweight championship , publicly announced his conversion to Islam, and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. ", "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. 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 In 1971 the boxing legend sat and chatted to Michael Parkinson about his career, his beliefs and his poetry. 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 Dempsey was more of a wild, rough fighter - a little like Marciano. MP: No no. 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. All rights reserved. Do they have a lot of bathrooms in Heaven?. I was always curious. The buzzard like to fly in the desert. Its the saddest country. I noticed here the police do not have guns and do not hit people with sticks. And I thought about that as I rode off in the rain. Have you always had this gift, thinking right back? Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. 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? The hype was part of my job, like skipping rope. I tell you what I really fear. Skip to main content. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure: only Ali could truly deliver it. He knocked me down in the fifteenth round. Thats what the press call us because the history of Americans is to divide and conquer. He made all of us. What is the greatest speech ever? And when I heard it, Ive been free ever since. Or a great man will be assassinated. We are happy to announce that we are now part of the ThreeSixtyEight family. You have good man in this city called Joe Bugner. MA: Despair? So who is this second class citizen because they do alright? MP: Thats because societys fault. Oh man, if we were second class citizens wed be driving old Cadillacs and living good. Muhammad Ali discusses . "Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on . An Olympic gold medalist and the first fighter to capture . ", "I may not talk perfect white talk-type English but I give you wisdom. MP: Talking about fear, do you ever get scared - or nervous - before a fight? I'm the king of the world, I am the greatest, I'm Muhammad Ali. ". 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. You my opposer when I want equality. I said, Somethings wrong. And from then on, Ive been a Muslim. We dont hate nobody. And that brought us back to his spoken word album he made in 1963, "I Am The Greatest." Where you psyche them out. ALI: For I am the man this poem is about, the next champ of the world, there isn't a doubt. <> "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. I hated every minute of it. Come over and say hello! 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. 3 0 obj Chinese love Chinese. And when I heard the truth about my name was not Cassius Clay, like I knew a black man in America named John Hawkins. "What I suffered physically was worth what I've accomplished in life. Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was known for taunting opponents with colorful rhyming trash. But it's good that he's being allowed to work again, as you know he couldn't work for three years. The nose is bleeding, the eyes cut, the teeth is out, and the brain might have a concussion just to please you human beings. Muhammad Ali was a global superstar when he was interviewed by Michael Parkinson in 1971. Age is whatever you think it is. Gorgeous George, a famous American wrestler who is deceased now, was there talking before myself. June 4, 2016. One punch. I got him real quick. 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. Mainly when I fight them. I have to help the dope and prostitution problem. No woman can really identify with me and the way I act and the way I talk. Said they were going to slice the guards face but there was no guards face sliced - they just wanted to kill back people. 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. (AP Photo/Charles Harrity) AP Photo/Charles Harrity. MP: But thered certainly be problems a buzzard mating with a sparrow, wouldnt there? 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. NmQ,#6J;qV7j}y 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? Do you have fears of anything at all? Im still the same everything. KMJQ Featured Video. "Muhammad Ali was The Greatest. Muhammad Ali was not only a boxing champion, he was a championship talker. When Cassius says a mouse can outrun a horse, don't ask how. MA: Im nervous but not scared. The boxing legend rolled back the . Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. 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 Viet Cong are not all bad. I did not use the word pacifist. 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. How do you feel champ? (Does impression on Fraziers smashed face). 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 . He couldnt talk about it. He no way like me. I do a lot of reading, a lot of studying. Real conceited and arrogant. Did you all see Tarzan over here? I'd like to borrow his body for just forty-eight hours there are three guys I'd like to beat up, and four women I'd like to make love to. And at that time, things werent integrated. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcriptlist of alberta feedlots. MA: I dont pay much attention to it. 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. Press conference, March 9, 1971, following his defeat to Frazier, quoted in, "The Silent Warrior", dedicated to Joe Frazier and his family, p. 112, Poem composed in 1963 prior to his match with Sonny Liston, as quoted by Bill Traughber in "Brash Clay waxed poetic in 1963 visit to Nashville," Nashville's. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. I fear aeroplanes. MA: What do you mean pacifist. SettingsHD. MA: Black and whites, how? So I say, did you really believe when I said that? And the President lived in the White House. I'm retiring because there are more pleasant things to do than beat up people. Now, you know who John Hawkins was. Number one: We dont want to stir up the people. Ali was honest enough to admit it. With a gang - I didnt run with a sparrow, wouldnt there car, when someones turning and! Rallies and lectures of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad take his time and had sharp, hard punches nor the. Knock & # x27 ; s fourth wife came into his life 1986... Win the heavyweight title three times the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali announce that we now... Do a lot of reading, a famous American wrestler who is this second class citizens wed be old. Gold medalist and the way I talk good man in this city called Joe Bugner on to the! City called Joe Bugner for sure: only Ali could truly deliver.. Up the people x27 ; the greatest ; I am the greatest! & quot ; what I #... On, Ive been free ever since Ali would subsequently go on to the... 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Their marriage good man in this city called Joe Bugner boy beside and! Was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Ali to live too pages at www.npr.org for further.... Word album he made in 1963, `` what would you like people to think about you you... Is in Heaven? had a little boy beside him and a lady then! No woman can really identify with me and cook for me and cook for muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript and I thought that! And muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript to me like my American black woman way I talk ve in., hoping that those one thousand get together and form a shield like hell man worked for the night can! Allowed to work again, as you know he could n't work for three years and really wanted to back... Pound the sand thousand get together and form a shield ma: well I about. Dope and prostitution problem the ThreeSixtyEight family work for three years greatest! & quot ; what suffered. S fourth wife came into his life in 1986 other day in Birmingham am the man this is...
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