Cassius Clay: The Dream (Singles Classic)

Louisville, KY. March 22, 1963.

"I'm the Greatest."

Some people think Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) talks too much. But Cassius just laughs, and keeps on talking. Sometimes he talks in doggerel: "This is the story about a man With iron fists and a beautiful tan, He talks a lot and boasts indeed Of a powerful punch and blinding speed."

Sometimes he sticks to prose. "I'm beee-ootiful," he croons. "I'm the greatest. I'm the double greatest. I am clean and sparkling. I will be a clean and sparkling champion."

Cassius Clay is Hercules, struggling through the twelve labors. He is Jason, chasing the Golden Fleece. He is Galahad, Cyrano, D'Artagnan. When he scowls, strong men shudder, and when he smiles, women swoon. The mysteries of the universe are his Tinker Toys. He rattles the thunder and looses the lightning. "I was marked," he says. "I had a big head, and I looked like Joe Louis in my cradle. People said so. One day I threw my first punch and hit my mother right in the teeth and knocked one out. If you don't believe me, ask her."

This story is part of the TIME Classic Coverage Collection from Time Inc. This is a reproduction of a story that appeared in the March 22, 1963 issue of TIME magazine.

Time Inc. is one of the world’s most influential media companies – home to 90 iconic brands like People, Sports Illustrated, Time, InStyle, Real Simple, Food & Wine, and Fortune. The Spotlight Stories in this collection aim to provide you with a quick read on a single subject, highlighting our readers’ most popular stories and featuring great reporting from our Time Inc. journalists.