Great sayings and quotes from boxing

In hardly any other sport does "trash talk" play such a big role as in boxing and in hardly any other sport are there so many slogans before boxing matches. Even in the early days of modern pugilism, athletes engaged in wild verbal duels, Muhammad Ali perfected the art of quick words and even today, trash talk is simply part of the business for many boxers. Reason enough for FightMag by Paffen Sport to look back at some of the best sayings and quotes from boxers, promoters and TV experts.

The best quotes and sayings from boxing

"I was already telling people that I was the greatest when I didn't realise I was the greatest myself."

- Muhammad Ali

"If you even dream of beating me, then you should wake up as soon as possible and apologise to me."

- Muhammad Ali

"The question is not at what age I retire. The question is at what account balance."

- Heavyweight legend George Foreman on his comeback in the 1990s

"He may have a big heart, he may punch harder and be stronger than me, but there is no boxer smarter than me."

- Floyd Mayweather before his fight against Oscar de la Hoya

"Suddenly I woke up, I was lying on the floor and the referee was staring me in the face and shouting: six, three, seven, five!"

- Lennox Lewis on his surprising KO defeat to Oliver McCall in 1994

"You only made one mistake. You signed the contract for this fight."

- Ferdie Pacheco when asked if Sugar Ray Leonard and his trainer Angelo Dundee made mistakes before Leonard's loss to Roberto Duran

"No Mas."

- Roberto Duran signals to his corner at the end of the eighth round of the rematch against Sugar Ray Leonard that he wants to retire

"What was a lie yesterday is the truth today."

- Boxing promoter Bob Arum on his work

"Earnie Shavers could break your ankles by punching your head."

- Heavyweight Randall Cobb on the punching power of his rival Earnie Shavers

"I want his heart. I want to eat his kids. May Allah be with me!"

- Mike Tyson during one of his infamous interviews before the fight against Lennox Lewis

"The time may now have come to say goodbye to Muhammad Ali. I can't for the life of me imagine how he could beat George Foreman."

- US commentary legend Howard Cosell before Ali's sensational knockout victory over Foreman in Zaire

"I tried training once."

- Ralf Rocchigiani on his World Cup win

"As soon as the bell rings, you're on your own. Then it's just you and the other guy."

- Heavyweight legend Joe Louis on his sport

"Nobody understands why Holyfield wants to fight Tyson. Wouldn't it be easier to stand in front of a moving train?"

- Michael Moorer on Evander Holyfield's chances against Mike Tyson. Holyfield ended up winning the fight by knockout in the eleventh round.

"The hero and the loser both feel the same. But the hero uses his fear and projects it onto his opponent while the loser runs away. It's the same fear, but it depends on how you deal with it."

- US coaching icon Cus D'Amato

"I've boxed Sugar so many times... I'm surprised I didn't get diabetes."

- Jake LaMotta on his rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson, who he faced six times in the ring

"Boxers get to know each other better in twelve rounds than some people do in twelve years in the office."

- Wilfried Sauerland

"There are no dream fights, there are only dream salaries."

- Former champion Dariusz Michalczewski

"No, no. I don't think his hands can take any more."

- Randall Cobb on a possible rematch with Larry Holmes

"If they ever cut my bald head open, they'll find a big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live and breathe boxing."

- Middleweight legend Marvelous Marvin Hagler

A flight attendant to Muhammad Ali: "Please fasten your seatbelt."


Ali: "Superman doesn't need a seatbelt."

Flight attendant: "Superman doesn't need an aeroplane."

"Why did anyone think he'd become smarter? He was in jail for three years, not at Princeton."

- Promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson re-signing with Don King after his prison release

"I wish people would love each other as much as they love me. The world would be a better place."

- Muhammad Ali