He remained a top-five heavyweight throughout the competitive 1960s. He was the youngest man to ever win the undisputed heavyweight championship and the first man to regain it after losing it. While he's at least a full level below Ali in terms of stature, Patterson was, nevertheless, a legitimate, all-time great. I've always loved it for the way it combines playful creativity with macabre brutality. Muhammad Ali got off this line in advance of his 1965 defense against former champion Floyd Patterson. And just as he had been as a much younger man, Ali remained a trash-talking virtuoso.Īnd just as he had done 10 years before, Ali backed up the bragging, stunning the world by stopping the mighty Big George in eight rounds. It was very much where he had been 10 years earlier, coming into this first title challenge against Sonny Liston. Some observers legitimately feared for Ali's well-being against Foreman. Frazier and Norton had both gone 1-1 against Ali in extremely competitive bouts. He had smashed both Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in two rounds. Heading into this fight, George Foreman was the undefeated world champion. George thinks he will, but I know he won't.' His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see. 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

Perhaps no single rhyme is more associated with Muhammad Ali than 'float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.' In advance of his epic Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman in 1974, Ali used it in one of his greatest boasts. Ali's words entertained fans and revolutionized boxing promotion.īeyond that, the things Ali said sent ripples through American society and changed the world. But he became iconic in large part due to what he said. It was the type of outpouring usually reserved for beloved royalty or major religious figures.Īli became great due to what he did in the ring. When they laid the great champion to rest on June 10 in his native Lexington, Kentucky, the scene was unlike anything I can ever remember seeing in the United States. No heavyweight in history fought and defeated a more impressive roster.īut when we call Ali 'The Greatest,' we are talking about something that goes far beyond boxing. Talented top-50 heavyweights such as Jerry Quarry, Ernie Terrel, Zora Folley, Ron Lyle and Jimmy Ellis couldn't even last the distance against Ali. He beat Ken Norton and Floyd Patterson, both of whom rank in the all-time top 20 to 25. His resume includes victories over George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Sonny Liston-three fighters at, or near, the historical top 10. If Muhammad Ali had never made a single memorable statement, he would still rank as the greatest heavyweight fighter in history.

Muhammad Ali by Muhammad Ali