Muhammad Ali or Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. is considered as one of the best American professional boxers. Born on January 17, 1942, he started training as an amateur boxer when he was just 12 years old. By the time he was 18, he already won a gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in the light heavyweight division.
At 22 years old, he was hailed as the youngest boxer to unseat a heavyweight champion. He won the bout at the 6th round even though the odds were stacked against him. He was also considered as the first man to win the heavyweight title thrice.
Prior to his retirement in 1981, Muhammad Ali was able to set a career record of 56 wins, 37 knockouts, and 5 losses. He retired at the age of 39 and died at the age of 74 on June 3, 2016.
As a way to look back at the career of one of the most famous athletes of the 20th century, here are some of the best Muhammad Ali quotes.
Muhammad Ali Quotes
Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. – 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
The man who has no imagination has no wings. – Muhammad Ali
I’m so mean, I make medicine sick. – Muhammad Ali
It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe. – Muhammad Ali
Wars of nations are fought to change maps. But wars of poverty are fought to map change. – Muhammad Ali
A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life. – Muhammad Ali
I’m so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark. – Muhammad Ali
I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and peace. – Muhammad Ali
If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you. – Muhammad Ali
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. – Muhammad Ali
It will be a killer, and a chiller, and a thriller, when I get the gorilla in Manila. – Muhammad Ali
If you even dream of beating me, you’d better wake up and apologize. – Muhammad Ali
Don’t count the days; make the days count. – Muhammad Ali
I’m the king of the world! I’m pretty! I’m a bad man! I shook up the world! I shook up the world! I shook up the world! – Muhammad Ali
If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it. – Muhammad Ali
I’m young; I’m handsome; I’m fast. I can’t possibly be beat. – Muhammad Ali
Braggin’ is when a person says something and can’t do it. I do what I say. – Muhammad Ali
It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am. – Muhammad Ali
I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was. – Muhammad Ali
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. – Muhammad Ali
Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion. – Muhammad Ali
The only thing that matters is submitting to the will of God. – 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
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing. – Muhammad Ali
And to round off our Muhammad Ali quotes, let’s revisit what US President Barack Obama said of Ali:
“Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it.”
What is your most favorite Muhammad Ali quotes? Don’t forget to share them on social media!
