MUHAMMAD ALI QUOTES IV

American boxer (1942- )

If you were surprised when Nixon resigned, just watch what happens when I whup Foreman's behind!

MUHAMMAD ALI

comment prior to the "Rumble in the Jungle", Oct. 30, 1974

Tags: Richard Nixon


Before I became a Muslim, I ate pork and chased women--but all that stuff stopped.

MUHAMMAD ALI

O Magazine, Jun. 2001

Tags: women, religion


Now I'm not sayin' just to be funny, but I'm fightin' Ernie because he needs the money.

MUHAMMAD ALI

comment before his fight with Ernie Terrell, Feb. 1967

Tags: money


When I was 9, I saw a wrestler on television named Gorgeous George. He said, "I'm beautiful. I'm so pretty that if a sucker touches my face, I'll kill him. If he messes with my hair, I'll pummel him." I said to myself, "That's a good idea. I am the greatest, I'm pretty." And then I took it a little further than he did.

MUHAMMAD ALI

O Magazine, Jun. 2001


You been hearing about how bad I am since you were a little kid with mess in your pants! Tonight, I'm gonna whip you till you cry like a baby.

MUHAMMAD ALI

comment to George Foreman before the "Rumble in the Jungle", Oct. 30, 1974


I'm not into fashion at all. I always wear the same thing: dark suits. I don't even know where I get them.

MUHAMMAD ALI

"New Again: Muhammad Ali", Interview Magazine

Tags: fashion


There live a great man named Joe / who was belittled by a loudmouth foe / While his rival would taunt and tease / Joe silently bore the stings / And then fought like gladiator in the ring

MUHAMMAD ALI

poem dedicated to Joe Frazier, "The Silent Warrior"


If we continue to think and live as if we belong only to different cultures and different religions, with separate missions and goals, we will always be in self-defeating competition with each other. Once we realize we are all members of humanity, we will want to compete in the spirit of love.

MUHAMMAD ALI

The Soul of a Butterfly

Tags: culture, religion


Prejudice comes from being in the dark; sunlight disinfects it.

MUHAMMAD ALI

attributed, Jan Sutton's 1000 Pocket Positives

Tags: prejudice


I tried to be the greatest boxer in the world and a good parent, too. I had instant feedback on my success as a boxer. Often, parents don't really know if what they are doing is right or wrong until their child is grown and it is too late to change any of the decisions. Whatever my failings as a parent, I am very proud of all my children. It wasn't easy for them to make their own way with such a controversial and public father.

MUHAMMAD ALI

The Soul of a Butterfly

Tags: parents, children


The time when Christ was 33, so I could see if he really got up from the grave. Or maybe I'd go back to the time of Cleopatra, before Marc Antony got tight with her. I'd try to hit on her first.

MUHAMMAD ALI

in response to the question: What time would you like to go back to, if possible?, "The Ali Mystique", Newsweek, September 29, 1975

Tags: time travel


Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer.

MUHAMMAD ALI

attributed, The Gospel According to ESPN

Tags: silence


He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

MUHAMMAD ALI

Woman's Day, Apr. 1, 2009

Tags: courage


Archie's been living off the fat of the land. I'm here to give him his pension plan.

MUHAMMAD ALI

comment before his fight with Archie Moore, 1962


I think the people of our religion should be tolerant and understand people believe different things.

MUHAMMAD ALI

CNN, Sep. 20, 2001


Ain't no reason for me to kill nobody in the ring, unless they deserve it.

MUHAMMAD ALI

comment after his fight with Jimmy Ellis was stopped by the referee in the twelfth round, Jul. 1971


Clay comes out to meet Liston and Liston starts to retreat -- if Liston goes back an inch farther he'll end up in a ringside seat.

MUHAMMAD ALI

poem composed before his fight with Sonny Liston, 1963


I can't see what God's plan is. I just know I've got to live with it.

MUHAMMAD ALI

O Magazine, Jun. 2001

Tags: God, providence


Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating.

MUHAMMAD ALI

attributed, 1000 Pocket Positives

Tags: racism


Last night I had a dream. When I got to Africa, I had one hell of a rumble. I had to beat Tarzan's behind first, for claiming to be King of the Jungle.

MUHAMMAD ALI

poem written before his match with George Foreman, 1974