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.

Let the other guy have whatever he wants before the fight. Once the bell rings he's gonna be disappointed anyway. read more

Let the other guy have whatever he wants before the fight. Once the bell rings he's gonna be disappointed anyway. Rrelating boxing advice he received from Archie Moore on posturing before a fight.

If my fans think I can do everything I say I can do, then they're crazier than I am. After read more

If my fans think I can do everything I say I can do, then they're crazier than I am. After one of his fight predictions turned out to be wrong.

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.

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.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

I'm the best. I just haven't played yet [on his golf game].

I'm the best. I just haven't played yet [on his golf game].

I say get an education. Become an electrician, a mechanic, a doctor, a lawyer — anything but a fighter. In read more

I say get an education. Become an electrician, a mechanic, a doctor, a lawyer — anything but a fighter. In this trade, it's the managers that make the money and last the longest.

Fifteen referees. I want fifteen referees to be at this fight because there ain't no one man who can keep read more

Fifteen referees. I want fifteen referees to be at this fight because there ain't no one man who can keep up with the pace I'm gonna set except me. There's not a man alive who can whup me. I'm too fast. I'm too smart. I'm too pretty. I should be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever get licked.