Muhammad Ali Birthday: Boxing Champ Is Greatest For His Knockouts And His Quotes

What is there to say about Muhammad Ali that Muhammad Ali hasn't already said before?

Not very much about his preternatural gifts as a fighter, that's for certain. The boxer who debuted as Cassius Clay and bent foes and fans alike to his will as Muhammad Ali was poetry in motion and in promotion. A heavyweight blessed with the agility of a much smaller fighter, Ali won a gold medal fighting for the USA in 1960 and claimed the heavyweight crown three times during his career.

While his place in sporting history would have been assured had he been as meek outside the ring as he was ferocious and flamboyant within it's confines, Ali became an icon to those who couldn't tell a left hook from a hook shot because of his words and convictions away from the squared circle. Not only was Ali indeed the greatest but he was also the most polarizing and charismatic. He spoke his mind. He spoke about his opponents. He spoke about his religion. He spoke about his politics. The man just spoke. And, when he spoke, the world listened. Some laughed. Others nodded in agreement. And a not insignificant number got red in the face with anger. But regardless of the reaction, Ali had everyone's attention.

It has been asked how people would react if Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow were Muslim. Well, Ali revealed his conversion to Islam after he'd already beaten Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title. Looking for a more apt comparison to Ali, today's sports fan should wonder what would happen if Tom Brady converted? What about Michael Jordan? While Tebowmania has certainly captured the nation's attention during the past few weeks it is but a slight sniffle of interest compared to the pulsating fever dream that was Ali's reign during the 1960s and '70s. Tebow's rise to the playoffs has been a great story but Ali was the GREATEST. Even the sociopolitical narrative undergirding so much of the adoration and derision being heaped on the quarterback seems awfully low stakes compared to what Ali experienced.

In 1966, Ali declared himself a conscientious objector to the war in Vietnam and refused to serve in the U.S. military. When pressed on this decision, the Kentucky native declared, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong ... They never called me nigger." For his stance, Ali was arrested (although he would never serve jail time), stripped of his title and even his license to fight. It would not be until 1970 that he was able to get back into the ring. He would reclaim the world title in 1974 by defeating George Foreman in Zaire. In terms of skills and storylines, there is just no comparison for Ali.

On Tuesday, the legendary boxing champion who dubbed himself "the Greatest" turned 70 years old. While his battle with Parkinson's disease has weakened him tremendously over the years, the images -- and sound bytes -- of his youthful self remain indelibly printed on our culture.

WATCH BELOW TO SEE SOME OF ALI'S MOST MEMORABLE FIGHTS AND SPEECHES

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Comments

[Nolongerlost]

05:35 AM on 01/22/2012

A "fighter" who wouldn't fight for the nation who provided him the freedom and resources to achieve greatness, wealth and fame in his sport. Conscientious objectors can serve their country in the armed forces as medical aides, nurses, etc. if they don't have the courage or conviction to fight. He was a sad story then and an even sadder story now. I'm sorry for his condition, but he's no hero of mine. The "greatest"? Not by a long shot. A good entertainer, perhaps. He should have been in pro wrestling - that arena is much more suited to his skills and his mouth.

[jimboh]

07:24 AM on 01/22/2012

Funny...Mitt, Newt, George W., and many many more received outs when it came to fighting for the country that provided them freedom and resources to acheive greatness.

Ali, couldn't stay in the same hotel as his white teammates and had to sit at the back of the bus. His country did everything it could to stop him from achieving greatness, yet he motored on. In his own words ' No Viet Cong ever called me Ni.......'

You may not like him, but he is relevant and he had plenty of courage and conviction to fight, just not your fight.

[Nolongerlost]

09:59 AM on 01/22/2012

Funny... Obama never served or fought for the country that provided him freedom and resources to acheive greatness. Cassius Clay's (real name) life is a life of poor choices, driven by a lack of any humility (read arrogance and self-absorption). He had no respect for his opponents in the ring (some of whom beat "the greatest") and he has no respect for authority or other people whose views who don't agree with his. He was raised a Christian and chose to become a Muslim, he chose not to serve his country (even in a capacity that would have respected and allowed for his religious beliefs) and he chose to fight (in the ring) far beyond his prime, (greed for money ?), apparently sustaining brain injuries which most likely contributed to his current state. Again, I'm sorry for his condition, but he's no hero of mine.

[mikeodd]

12:40 PM on 01/21/2012

A bonafide American treasure. Happy 70 Champ!

[Moreviolins]

10:09 PM on 01/18/2012

I had the opportunity to watch many of Ali's training sessions at Deer Lake, PA. One day a group of us waited for him to come out from the gym after one of his sessions. After a short while, he invited the group of about 10-15 people into his cabin where he performed magic tricks. It was quite obvious that he was enjoying himself as much as we were. I will never forget that.

[jimboh]

07:28 AM on 01/22/2012

Fanned & Faved....just because that's so cool.

[joyf1]

08:53 PM on 01/18/2012

Great trip down memory lane. I almost forgot how quick-witted he was as well as quick with the hands. The greatest.

[keith1963]

07:44 PM on 01/18/2012

The fight with Frazier was my first bet in my life. I was 7 years old.

[bahkey]

06:07 PM on 01/20/2012

March 8, 1971. I had just turned 12 (Mar. 5) My father and mother let me stay up late on a school night to listen to the updates on radio after each round. I was so happy for Frazier i didn't fall asleep until maybe 2 or 3 am. But was chipper the next day in school.

[Gary Storch]

11:18 AM on 01/18/2012

Have a great birthday CHAMP!

[Benedict2000]

10:18 AM on 01/18/2012

I hated Muhammad Ali and I cheered for every single one of his opponents.

But you know what, boxing wouldn't have been the same without him. I now watch his fights and witty comments in Youtube videos and I am grudgingly entertained by him.

If Ali never existed, we'd have to invent him! Happy Birthday, Champ.

[Lynn Lawrence Godden]

09:17 AM on 01/18/2012

HE WAS A COWARD who Refused to Be Drafted-For GOD'S SAKE Why Make a HERO of Him JUST Because He was a Really Great Fighter? Many Others Helped A Lot of Regular People BUT= He DID NOT DO Any Good Works Unless A CAMERA was Around=Don't Forget He BECAME A MUSLIM and RENOUNCED His NAME and AMERICA=Doesn't Anyone Remember How His "Brothers" Flew The Planes into The World Trade Center? ALL of Their Living& Flight Training for those 2 years was PAID FOR BY WEALTHY MUSLIMS LIKE CASSIUS =YES He Gave $ MILLIONS To The CAUSE Of The DESTRUCTION Of AMERICA-YES He Was A GREAT Fighter=PERHAPS the BEST-BUT SO WHAT?? HE WAS ALSO A TRAITOR & Helped Finance AMERICA;'S Downfall at the Hands of His MUSLIM BROTHERS=

[Gary Storch]

11:17 AM on 01/18/2012

You my friend...are an idiot personified.
He did more for this country then you could possibly imagine!

[NatTurner1]

11:36 AM on 01/18/2012

Your religious bigotry will not win this argument. Muhammed Ali is the most known and respected former athlete around the world.

And yes, Ali rejected the America that treated its own people as second class citizens. There is no logical reason why he should have embraced a country he represented, that he won a godl medal for in the Olympics, that treated him and others like him as if they were dogs.

Ali was and is an American hero.

[CommonWealth-SinglePayer]

06:45 AM on 01/18/2012

One of the greatest humans on the face of the Earth, did more to better Race relations than every President of the US!

Just wish I could hear that Wit on a daily basis, he would tearing up the current round of Politicians.

[Robert Lovelace]

06:03 AM on 01/18/2012

GOAT

[Bubba Link]

05:30 AM on 01/18/2012

I met Muhammad Ali in 1968 at the old Latin Casino in Cherry Hill NJ.. He was eating with Jersey Joe Walcot and a few other men..So i took my 10 year old butt over and said Hi to Joe and asked Muhammad how's the food..and he teased me... and he said..."Well little man the steak was good but I should of had the pork chop" and I got it..LOL MY hero,,,Love you Muhammad and congrats Champ..

[joyf1]

07:57 PM on 01/18/2012

What a wonderful memory for you. He was certainly The Greatest.

[Rich Cash]

04:32 AM on 01/18/2012

I bought a ticket for the Thrilla in Manila when I was stationed in Taiwan and had arranged for plane fare when my 1st Sgt cancelled my leave. I cried like a baby (really)! I don't remember crying again until Ali lit the torch for the 96 Olymics. He's one of the great heroes of my life.

[themightyabealrd]

03:31 AM on 01/18/2012

I'm a big fan. I cherish the memory of his comeback to Howard Cosell's remark about how Ali might not be the fighter he used to be. Something like, "Howard-I talked to your wife the other day. She says you're not the man you used to be!"

[xsm941f]

12:33 AM on 01/18/2012

The most compelling figure in sports EVER.

[eschew obfuscation]

11:26 PM on 01/17/2012

Hey Cassius. You really were something back in your day. What was that? ... 40 years ago? But why on earth you renounced your family's given name of Cassius Clay to take on some islamist persona remains a mystery. Hope you come to your senses before it's over.

[anthonyNtx]

12:10 AM on 01/18/2012

Since you went there.
Why shouldn't he change his name. I'm sure it's no mystery to him or his family. I think one still has a right to do that in this country. Actually, what family name "Clay". His true family name would be more like Kinte.

[NatTurner1]

02:08 AM on 01/18/2012

You mean family given names like Kid Rock? So its okay for Carlos Estevez to change his name to Charlie Sheen? Its okay for Georgios Panaylotou to change his name to George Michael? Its okay for Margaret Hyra to change her name to Meg Ryan, Natalie Hershlag can be called Natalie Portman, Patricia Andrzejewski can be Pat Benatar, Declan Patrick McManus can be Elvis Costello, Henry Deutschendorf Jr can be John Denver, Bernard Schwartz can be Tony Curtis, Issur Danielovitch Demsky can be Kirk Douglass but Cassius Clay should be dogged for changing his name for religious reasons...because religion should have no freedoms in America right? On Hollywood should have that right? Typical!

[keith1963]

07:27 PM on 01/18/2012

Nat that was one of the best smackdowns I've ever read on HP. Thank you!!! F&F

[joyf1]

07:59 PM on 01/18/2012

I'd fan you again, if I could. Brilliant.