Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen there's very little that I can add or say about Ali that he hasn't already said himself and in this evening I would like to pay tribute to this man who was a hero of mine with a piece that I wrote that he lived and I call it 15 rounds.
[1st]
Hello, once again everyone my name is Howard Cosell we are awaiting the arrival home of young eighteen-year-old Cassius Marcellus Clay the young man who at the recent 1960 Rome Olympian shocked and amusеd the world with his boxing ability and braggadocio if you will. Here hе is now only 18 years of age. Cassius do you plan to turn professional? Yes I do Mr. Cosell. See, nobody's ever seen nothing like me so fast so pretty I'm so fast I can play ping pong by myself and I'm predicting that someday I'm going to gain 30 pounds and I'm gonna become the heavyweight champion of the world.
[2nd]
Sonny Liston is not coming out incredibly young Cassius Clay just as he predicted to this report of four short years ago he's knocked out the man called the big ugly bear, become the new heavyweight champion of the world. I am the greatest I am the greatest.
[3rd]
I am Muhammad Ali. I will never be known as Cassius Clay again. Cassius Clay's a slave's name. I'm now disciple of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. I'm now a Black Muslim Minister. I am now Muhammad Ali.
[4th]
In the top of the news today's the eyes of the sports world to focus on Houston Texas where heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali also known as Cassius Clay is expected to refuse military induction on the grounds of being a religious conscientious objector. Another news of Vietnam buildup continues to [?] I will not fight in this war this war's an unjust war I cannot, will not fight. Step forth when I call your name please Cassius Clay, Cassius Clay
[5th]
Gentlemen please I have a brief statement as commissioner of the New York State Boxing Association we are issuing the following proclamation: A few hours ago heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali also known as Cassius Clay refused military induction. We are hereby stripping him of the heavyweight title. Now, now, now, now, now, the State Department is also revoking his passport therefore he will not be licensed to fight any place in the world including exhibitions.
[6th]
Today June 20th 1967 Ali today was convicted of draft evasion fined $10,000 sentenced to five years in prison. There will be an appeal. For three and a half years, I couldn't fight the best years my prime years my great years. Three and a half years, man. My great years my good years twenty six twenty seven [?] nine years old you know but then out of nowhere the state of Georgia in 1970 gave me a license to come back and fight Jerry Quarry ugly Jerry Quarry. I couldn't wait. Only took three rounds whoop knocked that sucker out. Then I went into Madison Square Garden against Oscar Bonavena. Ugly, he's awkward you know coming down duh duh duh duh duh. Fifteen rounds I had to go, 15 rounds. Then I use a left hook whoof knock him out and now Joe Frazier's the champion I want Joe Frazier.
[7th]
The winner and still heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier. I still think I won. Now, I guess I gotta start all over again.
[8th]
Today, vindication. Ali's conviction for Draft evasion today was overturned by the United States Supreme Court by an eight to nothing vote. Ali was right it is indeed an unjust war. Howard, I'm free I'm free at last now. I can become heavyweight champion again.
[9th]
Yesterday an unknown heavyweight from San Diego, California, one Ken Norton defeated Muhammad Ali and in so doing broke the ex-champion's jaw. Ali fighting 11 rounds with a severely damaged mandible. I'm in the hospital now with Ali. His jaws are wired shut, perhaps poetic justice. But more importantly at the age of 33, have we seen the last of the great one? Muhammad is this the end for you? No way Howard, ain't no way Howard. Even though my jaws are wired shut, I'm still pretty Howard, ain't I pretty? Even though I got all this stuff, Howard? You don't think I can come back huh huh [?] you don't think I come back huh I can come back all I gotta do is start all over again.
[10th]
George Foreman is down incredibly here in Zaire Africa. Muhammad Ali at the age of 33 has knocked out a seemingly invincible George Foreman here in the eighth round and become only the second man ever to regain the heavyweight title. An incredible upset! 'Cosell you chump I told you I was the greatest'.
[11th]
October 1 1975 Manila the Philippines, pearl of the South Pacific Ali-Frazier the third time around. Frazier unable to answer the bell for the 15th round. The Thrilla in Manila.
[12th]
This was not boxing this was a war a big piece of Ali remained in that ring.
[13th]
I fought everybody everybody there was to fight I fought I didn't duck nobody I was colorful I predicted the rounds I was bigger than boxing my fights is seen all over the world. I fought I fought ugly Joe Frazier three times. I fought Ken Norton three times and sat through Mandingo twice. I was big in about. Every place I go they know me I go to Bangladesh they yell Ali Ali I go to Africa they Ali Bombaya I go to Russia I see Brezhnev in person. Carter can't get him on the phone. And at the age of 36, I'm 36 years of age I'm still pretty ain't that something not a mark on my face ain't that something? 36 years of age I'm still fast they saying I'm slowing down you know they say I'm slowing down I'm so fast I can turn out the lights in my bedroom, be in the bed before the room gets dark. The only thing that can whoop me now is father time.
[14th]
It's over. Young Leon Spinks with only eight professional fights has decisioned a seemingly aging Muhammad Ali here in Las Vegas. An incredible upset. So much like the young Cassius Clay 14 years ago in that ring in Miami Beach. The champ is dead. Long live the champ.
[15th]
He surprised me, that Spinks. I guess at the age of 36 you know I couldn't train like I want to train you know, couldn't do the things in the ring I wanna do again that ugly sucker the first set of rounds and try to come back after him you know. Just gave away too much you know. Every time I reach back for that something to knock him out, just wasn't there you know. Hell, he was so ugly I think ain't no way he could beat me. Oh Leon. Yeah, they took away his driver's license, he walked into a telephone pole. Everybody's saying to me now they saying hey champ you must feel bad you ain't champ nomore. You lost to some kid who look like a train ran through his face. I say hey hey man I ain't got nothing to be sorry about you see everybody in life suffers a loss you see. It's the one who can overcome the loss and make a success of yourself that's really doing something. As I look back over my career I was heavyweight champion 14 years ago man ain't that something 14 years ago. I had a great life Allah's been good to me. 59 professional fights, made a lot of money, got beautiful kids, great family, got everything to look forward to. But something's eating at me, I don't want to go out losing to no Leon Spinks with 8 professional fights I don't want to be remembered as being out of shape and not bring a Las Vegas. I want him one more time and I'm gonna do it. I'm 36 years of age. My body is tired I don't like training very much but starting tomorrow I'm getting in shape for that rematch with Leon. Getting up early I'm gonna run with the moon. I'm gonna start hitting that table and do my pushups do my situps I'm gonna take the punches to do whatever I have to do and I'm gonna run and I want to be the first man ever to win the title for the third time. Nobody's ever done anything like that but then again nobody's ever done anything quite like me and I'm predicting that I'm gonna do it because I want to be the heavyweight champ for the third time 'cause I can do it and you can do it too no matter what you is in life no matter what color no matter what religion it's never too late to start all over again never forget that and you'll never forget me! I am the greatest of all time.
