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Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn’t Mess With The Greatest

To realise what champions are made of, one needs to know about a technique Muhammad Ali invented on the suggestion of his boxing photographer, George Kalinsky, in his famous 1974 ‘Rumble in the jumble’ battle against George Foreman. He would lie against the rope in a protected stance, inviting the opponent to have a go at him, providing only enough counter to make sure the referee didn’t end the match via technical knockout. The master tactician would then wait until his opponent was worn out, and start making mistakes. That’s when he’d actually begin his fight, floating like a butterfly, stinging harder than a bee. The greatest’s ‘Rope-a-dope’, as the move went on to be known as, can still be seen being put into practice by a generation of boxers that followed, including Manny Pacquiao, Micky Ward, and even Floyd Mayweather.

His battles would begin much before the actual fight. Known for his perfect technique and lightning speed, Muhammad Ali perhaps is, the sporting world’s greatest icon. And his quotes, perhaps as legendary as he is, made the phenomena that Ali has been for youngsters across the world.

1. On Olympic success.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest


2. Before his first title showdown with Liston, before similarly repeating it ahead of his 1974 fight with George Foreman.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

3. Belief is everything.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

4. On why he refused to join the U.S Army in Vietnam.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

5. Sometimes he was humble too. Only sometimes.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

6. He used to hate training, but realised that was the only way.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

7. Before all the Chuck Norris jokes began doing the rounds.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

8. Trash talking his greatest rival.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

9. The Elvis of boxing?

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

10. On racism.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

11. Lean. Mean. Machine.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

12. No one like him.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

13. He actually picked out the round in one of his fights.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

14. The will.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

15. He asked Frazier during a fight.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

16. Before the Thrilla in Manila

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest


17. His fight against Jerry Quarry in 1970 inspired the first Rocky movie.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

18. Touche.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

19. Never give up.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

20. He beat up pretty bad.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

21. Never ever.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

22. That he is.

Muhammad Ali Quotes That Tell You Exactly Why You Shouldn't Mess With The Greatest

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