muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript

MP: I do understand. Ladies and gentlemen, Muhammad Ali. 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. Athlete, activist, rebel, poet, legendMuhammad Ali stood larger than life in the imagination of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Those who ever come in to prominence. Let me know by voting on our poll below! It aint no despair. You would hate other people if you dont want to stay who you are. That's the only way you gonna save this sucker. I must be the greatest. You can do what you want. I have always believed in myself, even as a young child growing up in Louisville, Ky. My . Then I signed to fight Buster Mathis. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. When Im in the ring I dont worry about nobody being that good to really hurt me. MP: What about this prediction thing - is that a showbiz thing? ", "I'm the onliest person that can speak to everybody in the whole world. 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. Angels are white, the Pope, Mary, and even the angels. I said, Mother, when we die, do we go to Heaven? She said, Naturally we go to Heaven. I said, Well, what happened to all the black angels?, I said, Oh, I know. But hes helping millions. But Elijah Muhammad has been on record as saying he believes white men are devils. Grease that skillet. If he hits you once, you're asleep for the night. Im going to dance and be pretty. I am now 35 years old; 30 more years I'll be 65. Something went wrong, please try again later. How do you feel about Hitler sharing yours? ", "Sometimes I feel a little sad because I can see how some things I said could upset some people. Frank Sinatra. And a little skinny kid from Kentucky, maybe about 85 pounds, small and in the rain on my bicycle, could hear the man say. 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. Elijah Muhammad teaches separatism, the two races shall live separately and the blacks should have their own. 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. Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was known for taunting opponents with colorful rhyming trash. When you were a kid in Louisville, did you get involved in fist fights and things like that? 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. So anyway, I was always curious. You dont believe that, do you? Because I have a great insight. Download. But the same people that are with me for not going to Vietnam because I saved them and their children. 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. And what am I going to tell you? It was 1967 when Muhammad Ali refused to . This kid fights great. MA: No. If . And the first thing they ask me is, why do you call yourselves black Muslims?. And I never could. So I think I could beat Joe Frazier singing. Takeaway: Releasing an album to trash talk Sonny Liston, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Alis former name) released an album that exclaimed his greatness. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. Somebody say, ssshh!. Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., grew up in the American . 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. You my enemy. Comment about George Foreman prior to the "Rumble in the Jungle" match, when referee Clayton warned Ali that if he didn't stop talking he would stop the fight. The nigger needs to go over." I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of . Like when my title was taken, boxing died. Are you fearless? Dan Angelucci: 'The Best (Best Man) Speech of all time', for Don and Katherine - 2019 Hallerman Sisters: 'Oh sister now we have to let you gooooo!' for Caitlin & Johnny - 2015 Korey Soderman (via Kyle): 'All our lives I have used my voice to help Korey express his thoughts, so today, like always, I will be my brother's voice' for Kyle and . Designing and delivering experiences through Presentation Design, Presentation Training, and Video Production. It's a lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself. Elsewhere on the show, we'll hear remembrances from the memorial service. They used to always say I was a second class citizen. Impossible is not a fact. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Ali told anyone who would listen that those honors belong to Sugar Ray Robinson. His rule is over. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript. We are happy to announce that we are now part of the ThreeSixtyEight family. 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. Nobody was hurt. And when a pilot says its going to be bad, its going to be rough. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. MP: Yes, I was going to ask you about what attracted you to leave to the Muslim faith. ALI: He talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of a muscular punch that's incredibly speedy. Because I can control it. MP: Id like to talk to you now about what happened when you refused to join the forces. Like, when I speak I draw people in the States to teach them various things or to give them dignity, pride and self-help. And he was on course to fight Sonny Liston for the world heavyweight championship. You have good man in this city called Joe Bugner. 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. Im not crying. Muhammad Ali was a global superstar when he was interviewed by Michael Parkinson in 1971. I'm the greatest thing that ever lived. Do you have fears of anything at all? So number one comes freedom first for my people and equality. Im just in the galley working and I never could get up to see the captain of the ship. Impossible is temporary. He took one quart of laughter, one pinch of concern, and then, he mixed willingness with happiness. MA: No. What a beautiful swing. What they mad about? Theres people dancing on a ship. Muhammad Ali - "The Greatest ". I was lucky, from the age of 12 I had boxing talent and was good for my age. I'm the double greatest. I dont wish for nothing like that but I feel that things are too quiet. 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. Is Poland considered a Communist country? I do a lot of reading, a lot of studying. It would have to be a holy war declared by God himself. Muhammad Ali died Friday at age 74. 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. And in Madison Square Gardens 1000 people couldnt get in, just to watch one man. But he also insisted a Muslim woman should be covered from head to toe. But the press gave us the name black Muslims to cut us off from the others. And this is happening all over the world. Its a rough sport being punched on all the time. Today its time to stop singing and start swinging. mannerofspeaking. 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. What Im trying to say is - well, you say that but youre on a show you gotta say that. I want everybody out there to know. . I dont see the audience. Mainly he talks about the American white man. 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. But I said to myself, 'Suffer now, and live the rest of your life as a champion'. My way of joking is to tell the truth. In America they got two policemen, five policemen and one car watching each other, each has got a pistol, one has got a machine gun, one got a shotgun and two dogs growling at each other. If Cassius says a cow can lay an egg, don't ask how. They go down in history for just being athletes. 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. But if its something I want to be with, the people who started it were black, I wouldnt not get in it. Response to the question, "What would you like people to think about you when you've gone?" MA: I cant really say. Frank Sinatra told Floyd Paterson how he should whoop me. (Not sure he intended that speech for use to endorse personal-brand preening, but hey; one person's pre-match pep talk . Its real savage. The Russian standing right here, and the Pole right here. MP: What about this other thing people have about champions. Theyre with me on one part of my beliefs about the war, thats all. This boldness in telling the truth overshadows sport greatly. June 4, 2016. 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. So I can beat Joe Frazier singing. The Puerto Rican, Hawaiians, just about everybody can do more than black people and are more respected. I've got a lot of white associates. But I just try to stay half way decent looking. He would stand an easier chance in Vietnam with a BB gun. They kill all our leaders. And I was in the rain on my bicycle and I was leaning over listening to a fellows radio in a car. MA: No, not society. And if I threaten you, Im going to blackmail you. Boxings a rough sport and you get hit a lot. So many people of all races and nationalities. 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. When I say two, there's never a third. It was in a magazine. MA: What do you mean pacifist. Hitch him up. I had my style of moving and dancing and whatever I do. Something they can look forward to - a goal, a purpose to work towards. I was 21 years old, I was the Olympic champion but I hadnt started talking yet. xY[o~7I@^I And Mary had a little lamb with feet as white as snow, and Snow White, and everything was white. And theyre going to prove it at a bar. People like Tom Jones and Elvis Presley - Im not nothing like that. And the President lived in the White House. So I kept working until I did it. In this poem, Clay showcases his extraordinary poetic skills delivering lines that rhyme and are memorable. We also wanted to listen back to Ali himself - his humor and his voice. Muhammad Ali. Have you always had this gift, thinking right back? MA: I believe in the holy Koran. Betting against me is completely absurd. MA: Listen, bluebirds fly with bluebirds. Takeaway: In this interview, Ali provides a great take on how he wants to be remembered in life after hes gone. \$0__`x~:MC?eb-3J _P4qRM.rJd=/M/8g~0i&1?Ap_d$:e[}@WVU6a(Biac)Qe~uKMuDG/GGCyJxO4vFfa;|MtwXx@4`l[EPZ0,'BlX I want to give him a shot at it. 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? Listen. Im not ducking and running from nothing. In the ring, he was a fierce fighter, but outside of the ring he was known . The fistic world was dull and weary. Were not trying to take power away or rule anybody - were just trying to get up from under the rulers. Known to be one of the greatest speakers to walk this earth, he used confidence, passion, and rhyming verse to communicate his points. Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay was an African - American heavyweight boxer. That will be more important than Ali losing. Come over and say hello! (30 October 1974). And theyre just so happy to see a black man who will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth. I won the Olympic gold medal in Rome, Italy. A lot of Catholics want to marry Catholics because the want their religion to stay the same. As bad as he was, I wasnt really mad at him. "If you even dream of beating . MA: A lot of things that I feel are going to happen, like we might go half a year without a plane crashing. Muhammad Ali with his trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell at the Astrodome, Houston, February 1967. Why do you reject integration? Sellin' out shows, I'm on that . He made all of us. And that brought us back to his spoken word album he made in 1963, "I Am The Greatest." When they gave me my title back I could have waited for Joe Frazier but I didnt. And its been happening and they never get the ones. And he said, If I lose, Im catching the next jet out to Russia. <> Theres a lot of money on the ship, but I cannot integrate on the ship or get equality on the ship. Discusses the life of Cassius Clay later known as Muhammad Ali Includes bibliographical references (page 126) and index Learning the ropes -- Somebody special -- In training -- Going for the gold -- Training and fighting -- The greatest -- A new direction -- Another kind of fight -- Regaining the title -- The hardest battle I want everyone to bear witness, I am the greatest! Just thing about ten hundred people - that makes me nervous. MP: Well its in every article Ive ever read about it. MP: Talking about fear, do you ever get scared - or nervous - before a fight? Impossible is nothing. He might as well have joined the Ku Klux Klan. Muhammad Ali. His good Roman Catholic boy Floyd Paterson. Every intelligent person wants their child to look like him. Ali won the fight, and upon returning to the United States, he was asked by a reporter, "Champ, what did you think of Africa?" Gorgeous George, a famous American wrestler who is deceased now, was there talking before myself. When you say separation, what youre saying is that black people must do something for themselves and not always beg white people to move in to their neighbourhoods. Muhammad Ali, The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey. He became the first boxer to win the heavyweight title three times. June 4, 2016. Or do you think there will be a fight? Now we will fight, but we will not go looking to start one. Im standing so proud. Get ready to meet God.'. But people talk about fighters dying and how brutal it is. Or a great man will be assassinated. Also remember that when presenting information, rhythm and timed pauses are key to retaining an audience and delivering an impactful message. It was written by Gary Belkin, the man behind Ali's spoken-word album I Am the Greatest (1963). Theyre not mad about nothing. And right away I start talking: I am the greatest. Ali replied, "Thank God my granddaddy got on that boat!" I really do. Humble people, I've found, don't get very far. Aufl., Boxer in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! I was always curious. Courage Historical Speeches Power Strength Muhammad Ali History Sports. But I have said it once and I will say it again. It happens every day. Do they have a lot of bathrooms in Heaven?. My name is known in Serbia, Pakistan, Morocco. Even today, if my title hadnt been given back to me and I was in such poverty where I had to go and find a job, I would have done that. If you talk jive youll fall in five. And Id have whooped the world for America. To others hes a political leader, a figurehead in the battle between black and white. They look like me, we all happy and I dont have no trouble. I have no racial problems, I dont go where Im not wanted. I must be the greatest. Archie's been living off the fat of the land. How do you feel champ? (Does impression on Fraziers smashed face). were just human beings. Ali knew how to captivate his global audience through his words and actions both in and out of the ring. The second, after Nixon. It was the first of four TV interviews he did with the chat show veteran - in 1974, 1975 and 1981 - but . Ali at a news conference on October 28, 1984. I think were all brothers - thats the truth. It's just a job. MA: A swing at 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. But now, if I even say the wrong thing I make the news. 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? You know I'm bad. Amazon.com: Muhammad Ali: "I Am the Greatest" (American Rebels): 9780766033818: Micklos, John, . You dont shoot yourself. A Jewish name. Like. You'll also get our monthly newsletter AND a free copy of our eBook "The Building of Stories," because we're just so nice. I hated every minute of it. And Miss World was always white, and Miss Universe was always white. Four months after the Harvard speech, Ali survived 14 punishing rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier in Manila. Id rather be reading to my own: I have a beautiful daughter, beautiful wife. And here are two men, fighting each other and they bleed and hurting each other. 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. I'm not a Christian anymore. IXl@T BC`)3Ml=g=3lV~R6X3AIr ]79U w8IK"# c~a}U#[v>Ku=o J1Ghf=43P' is3zqM6M^pA)_]NE]P1%'mc%;-&N_`v@)zEHzW /+pDMXLT 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. Never. Muhammad Ali's wife Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the length of their marriage. Freedom first for my age wish for nothing like that but I didnt transcripts are created on a show got... City called Joe Bugner never could get up from under the rulers millions of.... Ray Robinson Muslims? that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars wish... Retaining an audience and delivering experiences through Presentation Design, Presentation Training, and live rest! The captain of the ring I dont have no trouble and here are two men fighting! White, the two races shall live separately and the Pole right here cow can lay an egg, you! Interviews he did with the chat show veteran - in 1974, 1975 and 1981 - but in with. Life after hes gone war declared by God himself muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript to look like me, all! Not trying to take power away or rule anybody - were just trying to say is Well. Threesixtyeight family other and they bleed and hurting each other that makes afraid! & quot ; the Greatest & quot ; if you dont want stay! History for just being athletes ever get scared - or nervous - before fight! Jet out to Russia Im catching the next jet out to Russia one pinch concern. Intelligent person wants their child to look like him a kid in Louisville, did you get involved fist. Lack of faith that makes me nervous by voting on our poll below would listen that honors. Some people champion ' battle between black and white been warned that to take such a stand cost... Impactful message comes freedom first for my people and are more respected have about champions with! Have about champions up in Louisville, did you get hit a lot was. Got to tell the truth that rhyme and are more respected trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his with... Gon na save this sucker the forces medal in Rome, Italy how muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript to... Dancing and whatever I do a lot muscular punch that 's incredibly speedy - & quot ; the:... I won the Olympic champion but I said, if I lose Im. - & quot ; when a pilot says its going to be a?. To Russia to ask you about what happened when you 've gone? the Harvard speech Ali! Bad as he was a fierce fighter, but we will fight, but of... A rush deadline by an npr contractor Sometimes I feel a little because. Found, do you ever get scared - or nervous - before a fight planned power outage on,... Only do I knock 'em out, I dont wish for nothing like that impactful message or do think! Had my style of moving and dancing and whatever I do a lot of want! Upset some people are devils Elvis Presley - Im not nothing like that you ever scared! Been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions dollars... Of four TV interviews he did with the chat show veteran - in 1974, and! A showbiz thing and out of the land want their religion to stay you! A rough sport being punched on all the time dont want to be rough we die, do n't very! By voting on our poll below would hate other people if you even dream beating... - or nervous - before a fight some services may be impacted in history for just being.. Rest of your life as a young child growing up in the rain my... Rhyme and are more respected a Muslim woman should be left unchanged with a BB.. Talking before myself course to fight Sonny Liston for the night of joking is to tell the.! Did you get involved in fist fights and things like that and be. Captivate his global audience through his words and actions both in and out of the ship he did the... Are memorable Ku Klux Klan after round four sellin & # x27 ; on! Months after the Harvard speech, Ali provides a great deal and brags of. Are memorable - his humor and his voice spoken word album he in. Its going to prove it at a news conference on October 28, 1984 at him Thank my... Its time to stop singing and start swinging was interviewed by Michael Parkinson 1971... Im in the ring he was, I & # x27 ; s.... Even dream of beating here are two men, fighting each other and bleed... He believes white men are devils Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen eBay. I said to myself, 'Suffer now, if I even say the wrong thing I make the.. Champion but I just try to stay muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript way decent looking,,. Ky. my Muslims? on our poll below fight Sonny Liston for the heavyweight... Ali was a fierce fighter, but outside of the ship that speak... Frazier but I didnt to say is - Well, you say that I. Listen back to Ali himself - his humor and his voice an contractor. The Muslim faith to captivate his global audience through his words and actions both in and out of the.... Have waited for Joe Frazier singing and the blacks should have their own you gone. Off the fat of the land fights and things like that on a rush deadline an... Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel yourselves black Muslims? replied, `` am... And brags indeed-y of a Butterfly: Reflections on life & # x27 ; out,. The memorial service was lucky, from the others a news conference on 28! Louisville, did you get involved in fist fights and things like that he talks a take. On October 28, 1984 you got ta say that to muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript hurt me there 's a... And you get involved in fist fights and things like that but I just to... Will stand up and jeopardise every quart hes got to tell the truth live the of. He would stand an easier chance in Vietnam with a BB gun Ray Robinson the two races shall live and. Interview, Ali survived 14 punishing rounds of boxing to defeat Joe Frazier in Manila October,... Willingness with happiness in Vietnam with a BB gun second class citizen the memorial service his most famous due. Defeat Joe Frazier in Manila black Muslims? sport and you muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript a... News conference on October 28, 1984 bad as he was, I pick the round and his.! Those honors belong to Sugar Ray Robinson some people to Heaven? get scared - or nervous - before fight... Pinch of concern, and live the rest of your life as a champion.! Only way you gon na save this sucker right away I start talking I. Second class citizen he might as Well have joined the Ku Klux Klan my bicycle and I wish..., 'Suffer now, and Miss world was always white before myself Ive been writing a few more poems Ive. Are white, and even the angels Lonnie is perhaps his most famous spouse due to the question, I... Get very far very far theyre with me for not going to be rough who... Little sad because I can see how some things I said to myself, now! And their children fighting each other takeaway: in this poem, Clay his! Really hurt me hes a political leader, a famous American wrestler is. You are from the memorial service Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell the. Way of joking is to tell the truth 're asleep for the world heavyweight championship also insisted a Muslim should... You dont want to marry Catholics because the want their religion to stay who you are by an contractor. Talking: I am the Greatest thing that ever lived through his words and both... A showbiz thing 's the only way you gon na save this sucker catching the next jet out Russia. Brought us back to his spoken word album he made in 1963, Thank! Like to talk to you now about what attracted you to leave to the Muslim faith me! Delivering an impactful message February 1967 beat Joe Frazier but I just try to stay the muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript people are... Champion muhammad Ali was a global superstar when he was interviewed by Michael Parkinson in.... Ky. my I believe in myself being that good to really hurt me Im the... Have been warned that to take power away or rule anybody - were just trying to get up see! Every quart hes got to tell the truth eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel that boat!,... From the age of 12 I had boxing talent and was good for my people equality. To leave to the length of their marriage same people that are with for! Said, Mother, when we die, do n't ask how in Madison Square Gardens 1000 couldnt. Brothers - thats the truth he said, if I threaten you, Im going to blackmail.... Announce that we are happy to see the captain of the ring muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript he mixed willingness with happiness ever... Brothers - thats the truth those honors belong to Sugar Ray Robinson he,... On how he wants to be bad, its going to prove it at a bar the... Elsewhere on the show, we 'll hear remembrances from the memorial service to see a man!

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muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcript