Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in 1942. He began boxing at a young age and quickly gained popularity due to his talent in the ring. In 1960, he won a gold medal at the Olympic Games at just 18 years old, and soon after, he became heavyweight champion of the world.

Muhammad Ali was more than just a boxer. He was known for his confidence and famous words, "I am the greatest." Ali was known for his quick hands and feet and quick thinking in the ring. He defeated Joe Frazier and George Foreman. More importantly, outside of the ring he stood up for his beliefs. He spoke out against racism and refused to fight in the Vietnam War, even though it cost him his boxing titles for several years.

Muhammad Ali showed the world that greatness isn't about being a heavyweight champ or how many titles you have, but about standing up for what you believe in. His legacy continues to inspire millions.

In this clip, Muhammad Ali uses his famous phrase "I am the greatest" in a prefight interview before his bout with Sonny Liston. At the time, Ali was still known as Cassius Clay and was the underdog challenger facing the heavily favored heavyweight champion. Ali's bold self-promotion and trash-talking were revolutionary—he would taunt opponents with rhymes and predictions, famously declaring which round he would win. After defeating Liston in a stunning upset on February 25, 1964, Ali shouted in the ring, "I am the greatest! I shook up the world!" He was just 22 years old. This brash confidence wasn't just showmanship; it was psychological warfare and a way for a young Black athlete to demand respect on his own terms. Ali's verbal skills were so influential that he's often called a forefather of hip-hop.