Did I say that?

Muhammad Ali, retired boxer, 67

Muhammad Ali poses in the ring, 1970. Photograph: Photoreporters/Rex Features

Before fighting George Foreman

I wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalised a brick; I’m so mean I make medicine sick (1974)

On his Parkinson’s disease

It wasn’t the boxing, it was the autographs (2003)

On Floyd Patterson

I’ll beat him so bad he’ll need a shoehorn to put his hat on (1965)

On being told “We don’t serve negroes”

I don’t eat them, either. Just give me a cup of coffee and a hamburger (1960)

On Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head (1971)

On his golfing abilities

I’m the best. I just haven’t played yet (1965)

To Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev

You ain’t as dumb as you look (1978)

On mini-skirts and bikinis

Why do I want my wife to show off her panties when the wind blows? Horses show their behinds, and cows and mules, not humans (1974)

Offering car rides to white associates

Get in the back – it’ll be like Driving Miss Daisy (1987)

On his last great goal

I want to be the first black man on the moon (1989)

On converting to Islam

I’m thankful for Elijah Muhummad [the preacher], because if it wasn’t for him I’d be with some white woman. It’s true, it’s true (1975)

On his biggest battle

My toughest fight was with my first wife (1967)

On the two greatest boxers

The fight the world will never see for the title of “The Greatest” would be between Cassius Clay and Muhammad Ali (2004)

On fame

I’m the most recognised and loved man that ever lived (1963)

On boxers Leon Spinks and Larry Holmes

They’re ugly and unintelligent and they really shouldn’t represent the coloured folks (1978)

On his aura

If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plough, don’t ask how – hitch him up (1970)

On work

It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up (1965)