Muhammad Ali died early Friday morning in Phoenix, AZ at the age of 74. Ali had been battling Parkinson’s disease for over 30 years, but succumbed to respiratory issues while in Phoenix for a promotional event.
Ali was a three-time Heavyweight Boxing champion, political activist, and perhaps the most identifiable and famous person that ever lived.
Ali was a walking news story. As entertaining and imaginative as Ali was, just image how he would have used Twitter or Facebook to extend his brand? Oh, and the quotes, the buzz phrases. Here are a few, in respectful memory of the ‘Greatest,’ Muhammad Ali.
“Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn’t matter which color does the hating. It’s just plain wrong.”
“I am the astronaut of boxing. Joe Louis and Dempsey were just jet pilots. I’m in a world of my own.”
“I’m not the greatest, I’m the double greatest.”
“He’s (Sonny Liston) too ugly to be the world champ. The world champ should be pretty like me!”
“I should be a postage stamp. That’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.”
“It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am.”
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it.” Jesse Jackson said this as early as 1983, according to the Associated Press, and Ali used it in his 2004 book.
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see. Now you see me, now you don’t. George thinks he will, but I know he won’t.”
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