Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942) is a retired American boxer. In 1999, Ali was crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated. He won the World Heavyweight Boxing championship three times, and won the North American Boxing Federation championship as well as an Olympic gold medal. Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He was named after his father, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr., (who was named for the 19th century abolitionist and politician Cassius Clay). Ali later changed his name after joining the Nation of Islam and subsequently converted to orthodox Sunni Islam in 1975.
17 Quotes
I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.
— Muhammad Ali
Age is whatever you think it is. You are as old as you think you are.
— Muhammad Ali
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
— Muhammad Ali
It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.
— Muhammad Ali
It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself.
— Muhammad Ali
Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.
— Muhammad Ali
I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.
— Muhammad Ali
When you are as great as I am it is hard to be humble.
— Muhammad Ali
The man who has no imagination has no wings.
— Muhammad Ali
No one knows what to say in the loser's locker room.
— Muhammad Ali
What keeps me going is goals.
— Muhammad Ali
I run on the road, long before I dance under the lights.
— Muhammad Ali
I am the greatest. Not only do I knock em out, I pick the round!
— Muhammad Ali
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
— 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
Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision.
— Muhammad Ali
To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.
— Muhammad Ali