The Speech That Made Muhammad Ali A Superstar

Before the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” fight, Ali gave the press some insight into how he became his namesake. With memorable lines like this, it elevated the Louisville native into a must-see fighter.

“I wrestled with an alligator,

Tussled with a whale,

Handcuffed lightning,

Thrown thunder in jail.

Only last week, I murdered a rock,

Injured a stone.

Hospitalized a brick,

I’m so mean, I make medicine sick!”

Not only did it showcase Ali’s excellent mind and wordsmith abilities, but it also brought in a new era of boxers who also became entertainers. But that’s how Ali rolled, for he could never be an average man.

Of course, he defeated George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle,” becoming the WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight champion. However, that speech and his incredible fighting ability made him into the real deal. In turn, it caught the attention of the American public and people worldwide. People were captivated by Ali, for he knew how to tell a story.

The Impact Left By “The Greatest”

That 1974 press conference capped off Muhammad Ali’s evolution from his previous moniker, Cassius Clay. Before he became the infamous heavyweight legend, Clay was known as an unpolished fighter with all the talent in the world. The previous moniker, which Ali referred to as his slave name, was dead for good. Now, fans were witnessing the “Greatest” in his element.

In fact, his impact didn’t just help boxing as a whole. It’s said that Ali was the inspiration behind rap, with his penchant for being a wordsmith inspiring generations. That moment helped the legendary Louisville fighter transcend into the pop culture of modern society, making him a household name. The “Greatest” became more than a boxer after that moment; he became larger than life.