A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life. Muhammad Ali
And you want me to go somewhere and fight, and you won’t stand up for me here at home! Muhammad Ali
Angry will make you lose your head and not thinking right. It’s bad to be angry. It is best to go in cool and calm and take your time. Muhammad Ali, interview David Frost, The Then and Now of Muhammad Ali
Bo Deeney: You’re going to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.
Together: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Bo Deeney: Rumble, young man, rumble.
Together: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Muhammad: That’s what we’re gonna do. You heard it. That’s my trainer – he’ll tell ya.
Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up. Muhammad Ali
Cassius Clay was my slave name. I am no longer a slave. Muhammad Ali
Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. Muhammad Ali
Come and sit by me, champ [Paddy, a fan, perches on couch]. You don’t want to integrate, do you? Muhammad Ali, interview Reg Gutteridge, When Ali Came to Newcastle
Friendship ... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything. Muhammad Ali
Get ready to meet God. Muhammad Ali, interview Reg Gutteridge, cited When Ali Came to Newcastle
He will be mine in round nine. And if he makes me sore, I’ll cut it to four. And if that don’t do, we’ll get him in two. If he run, we’ll get him in one. And in your heart you know I’m right. Muhammad Ali
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. Muhammad Ali
How can I lose with the stuff I use? Muhammad Ali, interview Harry Carpenter
I ain’t got no quarrel with the Viet-Cong. Muhammad Ali
I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given. I believed in myself, and I believe in the goodness of others. Muhammad Ali
I am the greatest – I said that even before I knew I was. Muhammad Ali
I am the master of illusion. Muhammad Ali, with trickbox for assembled children
I didn’t run with a gang. I didn’t have time. Muhammad Ali, interview The Parkinson Show
If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize. Muhammad Ali
I hated every minute of training, but I said, Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion. Muhammad Ali
I have no regrets about boxing. No regrets. Muhammad Ali
I just can’t understand how they could reclassify me as 1-A when they were the ones who said ... that I was 1-Y, that I wasn’t qualified. That was their decision. Now all of a sudden I’m 1-A without any tests, without notifying me or checking if I’m any wiser than I was last time or any worser. Muhammad Ali, televised interview
I kept working until I did it. Muhammad Ali, interview The Parkinson Show
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. Muhammad Ali
I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want. Muhammad Ali
I love boxing and it did a lot for me. But sometimes it made me think how savage human beings could be to each other. That wasn’t the kind of boxer I wanted to be. My strategy was to be as scientific as I could when I fought. I didn’t want to be seriously hurt, and I didn’t want to do that to anybody else either. Muhammad Ali, The Soul of a Butterfly
I’m not the greatest: I’m the double greatest. Not only do I knock ’em out I pick the round. Muhammad Ali
I’m retiring because there are more pleasant things to do than beat up people. Muhammad Ali, cited Roger Dawson ‘Secrets of Power Persuasion for Salespeople’ 2003
I’m still hot. Muhammad Ali, interview David Frost, The Then and Now of Muhammad Ali
I’m so mean I make medicine sick. Muhammad Ali, interview David Frost, The Then and Now of Muhammad Ali
I’m so modest I can admit my own fault. And my only fault is I don’t realise how great I am. Muhammad Ali, interview Harry Carpenter
I’m still the greatest of all time. Muhammad Ali
I’m young. I’m handsome. I’m fast. I’m pretty. And can’t possibly be beat. Muhammad Ali
I predict that before the end of 1963 I will be the youngest Heavyweight champion in history. Muhammad Ali
It has been said that I have two alternatives: either go to jail or go to the army. But I would like to say that there is another alternative: and that alternative is Justice. Muhammad Ali
I told you: I’m the real champion. I told you: I’m the champion of the world. Muhammad Ali