I'm gonna have to be killed before I lose, and I ain't going to die easy.

I'm gonna have to be killed before I lose, and I ain't going to die easy.

Statement after losing his first fight to Ken Norton, March 31, 1973: I never thought of losing, but now that read more

Statement after losing his first fight to Ken Norton, March 31, 1973: I never thought of losing, but now that it's happened, the only thing is to do it right. That's my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life.

Don't count the days, make the days count.

Don't count the days, make the days count.

Pleasure is not happiness. It has no more importance than a shadow following a man.

Pleasure is not happiness. It has no more importance than a shadow following a man.

There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people.

There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people.

I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, read more

I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.

The service you do for others is the rent you pay for the time you spend on earth.

The service you do for others is the rent you pay for the time you spend on earth.

The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses — behind the lines, in the gym and out there read more

The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses — behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.

To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.

To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.