Or should I just close the door and stay safe. 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. ", "I'm the onliest person that can speak to everybody in the whole world. The boxing legend rolled back the . "I Am the Greatest!" Muhammad Ali once said "I am the greatest! Jewish people love their culture. MA: Black and whites, how? 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. I do more than that in training. 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. How do you feel about Hitler sharing yours? endobj MA: Oh were much different. But when one man of popularity can let the world know the problem, he might lose a few dollars himself. But usually m on the spot with my predictions and some people really gamble and bet money on the rounds I say. You see movies of gangsters or fighters and somebody come up and hit him. I'm so mean, I make medicine sick. muhammad ali i am the greatest speech transcriptlist of alberta feedlots. He was an inspiration to millions of people around the world, and his powerful legacy will live on forever through his provocative words. Responding to a press conference question as to whether he was a "card-carrying" member of the. Id think, this ship must be sinking, right? You'll also get our monthly newsletter AND a free copy of our eBook "The Building of Stories," because we're just so nice. MP: Yes, I was going to ask you about what attracted you to leave to the Muslim faith. No woman on this whole earth can please me and cook for me and socialise and talk to me like my American black woman. I see the cameras and I see millions of people. The fight was held in the African nation of Zaire; it was insensitively called the "rumble in the jungle." Im standing so proud. ", "Now the things that once were so effortlessmy strong voice and the quickness of my movementsare more difficult. He is also often regarded as one of 'the greatest' athletes to have ever existed. And what am I going to tell you? 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. I'm not a Christian anymore. Get up and say Elijah Muhammad is wrong when he says they are the devil? Do they have a lot of bathrooms in Heaven?. People got lives to live, bills to pay, mouths to feed. And I use my image to try to help young people fighting and killing each other. Im not involved in a power struggle between black and white. The same people will give me hell if I turn to them and say, lets free my people now. II pCphP.%43{!w%A$qfr|-_.r\CK>W|;Jx&Q(&4QJY$/TR&N_=yO4"yzQFLtK@B~2M>>aD&l'4$V@,)HB\g>vi[)"bA*sOReme"xe.tWl%ex-VO2[-i~v+jElQX Skip to main content. Ladies and gentlemen, Muhammad Ali. MP: But I remember one fight I saw, I think you gave him a real going over, I think it was Zora Folley? But people talk about fighters dying and how brutal it is. P.S. We got white Muslims, brown Muslims, yellow Muslims, tan Muslims, red Muslims and black muslims - were the same all over. And when Gorgeous George came down the aisle he had these two blonde beautiful girls carrying his robe so it wouldnt get dirty. . And Miss America was always white. At the time, the television interview was deemed edgy. I dont have to do that no more. The nose is bleeding, the eyes cut, the teeth is out, and the brain might have a concussion just to please you human beings. I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior, most scientific, most skillfullest fighter in the ring today. Right after a fight I run right to the dressing room and right to the mirror and make sure Im still, you know, presentable. Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head. But my main fight is for freedom and equality. How do you feel champ? (Does impression on Fraziers smashed face). America. She said, Listen, you quit saying that, boy. I was always curious. 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MP: Id like to talk to you now about what happened when you refused to join the forces. This kid fights great. He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942. When Im in the ring I dont worry about nobody being that good to really hurt me. While Alis pre-fight quotes will live through the test of time, dont skip on his speeches outside the ring. Black men - one might be the president. 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. Although only 130 pages of well-chosen photographs and text, it succinctly details Ali's life from his birth as Cassius Clay to his becoming a legend whose name is still recognized worldwide even though his last fight was in 1981. MA: Who am I to say he was the devil? He was getting all mad and saying. I tell you what I really fear. "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.". Said they were going to slice the guards face but there was no guards face sliced - they just wanted to kill back people. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure: only Ali could truly deliver it. A Jewish name. It happens every day. MP: Because I dont think Im any different to you, you see. I cant tell you. But the same people that are with me for not going to Vietnam because I saved them and their children. Come over and say hello! And that makes me nervous until I get started. [4] But I have said it once and I will say it again. Weve got to educate people. The second, after Nixon. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. I've got a lot of white associates. And Im not going to deny I believe everything he teach and for white people in the country who are not devils, then they should prove they are not devils. They went into an African prison and shot 35 brothers of mine - I knew most of them - they killed them outright they had no weapons. He couldnt talk about it. "Muhammad Ali was The Greatest. I was training for a fella called named of Duke Sabedong - he was Hawaiian fighter and a giant about 6 feet 8 inches tall. So now that Im free, now that Im no longer a slave, then I want a name of my ancestors. I know the real God. No sir. If the white folks is in Heaven too, then the black angels were in the kitchen, preparing the milk and honey.. And Frank Sinatra turned his back and walked out on him. It's just a job. Why do you reject integration? The teachings of Elijah Muhammad on how black people have been brainwashed. Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was an American former heavyweight champion boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the 20th century. Or a great man will be assassinated. Age is whatever you think it is. I have to help the dope and prostitution problem. He's being laid to rest in his hometown. And Miss World was always white, and Miss Universe was always white. Ali would subsequently go on to attend the rallies and lectures of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad. We also wanted to listen back to Ali himself - his humor and his voice. Theres a lot of money on the ship, but I cannot integrate on the ship or get equality on the ship. But the press gave us the name black Muslims to cut us off from the others. 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Ive always been one to Im not just a boxer. We say at these meetings, we are not to be the aggressor but we will defend ourselves if attacked. 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. Muhammad Ali. "Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on . I'm livin' out my inner vision right now. I won three days, I fought for this country in Rome, I won the gold medal, and Im going to eat.. MP: Were you in a gang as a kid - were you running with a gang? I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior, most . It was on in every bar in America, even traffic stilled. 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. And still, the heavyweight champion of the whole world, Cassius Clay. ", "I may not talk perfect white talk-type English but I give you wisdom. MA: They dont have intelligence, and yet they stay together. And the angel fruit cake was the white cake and the devil food cake was the chocolate cake. It lasted six days but I sung four songs and there were critics, seriously, in New York who said that my part was perfect. One of the greatest American heavyweight boxing champions, Muhammad Ali was known as much for his flamboyant self-promotion and controversial political stances as for his boxing ability. I hated every minute of it. Englishmen can come and set up a business in white America and do things I cant do. It was in a magazine. To me, as someone whos interested in sport, hes without doubt the most beautiful and complete athlete Ive ever seen. He got him a big band to travel the world with his new title thinking that hes gonna sell em all out. I call him Muhammad Ali 'cause that's what he wants. An illustration of text ellipses. The big fight is coming up Ali and Frazier. To be "The Greatest of All Time," boxing legend Muhammad Ali said you have to believe in yourself. MP: But youre involved in a political struggle, a power struggle, between black and white and youre a leading member of that. MA: If Im attacked, fight like hell. 650 likes. And all of the Africans, hes beating them up and breaking the lions jaw, and heres Tarzan, talking to the animals. But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance. Ali lost to Leon Spinks in 1978, and regained the title the same year by defeating Spinks. So I think I could beat Joe Frazier singing. Thousands of people lined the streets of Louisville, Ky., today to pay respects to boxer Muhammad Ali. 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. I mean, if hes crazy enough Ill give him a chance. tags: inspirational. MP: What about this prediction thing - is that a showbiz thing? Oh no. Our team is always happy in helping you deliver an experience. 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