Muhammad Ali interviewed by Faith Lyles part 2

Metz Commentary 10/30/95
I'm sitting here, looking at one of my favorite photographs. Autographed to me with the words, "Liston in 9" -- a memento of the unparalleled career of Muhammad Ali. Of course, back then he signed it Cassius Clay. Today, Oct. 30, is the anniversary of the heavyweight fight that catapulted young Cassius into a national hero. The year was 1964. Louisville's Olympic champ climbed into the ring with the fearsome, intimidating Sonny Liston. Positively manic at the weigh-in, he danced around, talking a blue streak, and keeping his backers downright uneasy with his actions. But, as was invariably the case with the chap known as the Louisville Lip, he did exactly what he said he would: Liston didn't finish the fight, and we had a brand new champ.
In the following years, Ali guested on my talk show at least 5 times. We hit it off right from the beginning. Actually, I was in awe of him. He was handsome, physically impressive and often very humorous. Once, during a TV show I hosted, I thanked him for being there. He grinned and recited this poem: "METZ, I LIKE YOUR SHOW, I LIKE YOUR STYLE, BUT UNTIL THE MONEY GETS BETTER, I WON'T BE BACK FOR A WHILE!' The whole studio broke up, laughing. You had to love a guy like that. Later, he was stripped of his title for violating the Selective Service Act but the Supreme Court rightly reversed that decision.
Ali is still the only fighter to win the heavyweight boxing title 3 times. When he would say, "I'm the greatest," you had to believe him. Ali's museum in Louisville is now in the works. The champ has a world of friends and relatives here, including his brother Rachman and he married a woman in the neighborhood. Though his folks are gone, he does find time to return to the old hometown. Medically, Ali has come on hard times, but that mischievous glint in his eye is still there and the handsome head still towers, strong and compelling. For millions, he remains the best ever.