Muhammad Ali Was the Greatest (at bringing the funny)

muhammad ali comedy

The Other Side of Muhammad Ali: 11 of the Champ’s Funniest Clips

Muhammad Ali was, and forever will be The Champ. In addition to being a sublime athlete, ambassador, and humanitarian, he was also one of the most charismatic and engaging people that ever lived. No one could promote and sell a fight better than Ali. He taught us all the art of self-promotion and how to breakdown any of his positions to a level than anyone could understand. Ali knew from jump that the best way to do this was through comedy – even when he was making a point as serious as a heart attack. He also was not above making fun of himself or being the butt of a joke. Ali loved to laugh as much as anyone and the love he showed to the world of comedy was, like everything else he did, given back to him multi-fold. Here’s just a small sample of Ali and friends knocking us out with laughs.

Rumble young man, rumble. Rest easy Champ.

Muhammad Ali appears as himself on Diff’rent Strokes

Muhammad Ali Attacks Cosell

On the Dean Martin Roasts Muhammad Ali spars with Howard Cosell who is making racist jokes that were acceptable at the time

Ali’s 50th Birthday Celebration

Billy Crystal does his Ali impression in front of the champ at the Muhammad Ali 50th Birthday Celebration

Sparring With Michael Jackson

Muhammad Ali clowns around with Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five while doing some comedy poetry.

Muhammad Ali at the 1976 Oscars

The Greatest does a run in on Rocky Balboa at the Oscars in 1976

The Champ on the Dinah Shore Show

Muhammad Ali breaks the comedy rule of never working with children. This kid takes shots at Ali both verbally and physically on the Dinah Shore Show. This brat even gets Ali to drop the N-word on television.

Ali and Cosell Do an Ad for Inside Sports

Pitchman Muhammad Ali shills for Inside Sports magazine and takes the opportunity to make a joke about his nemesis Howard Cosell.

Bob Hope Special: Rocky Parody

Ali is one of the All Stars on this Bob Hope All Star Spectacular comedy TV special. Go to the 6:45 mark to see Muhammad Ali hit the ring to attempt to save a sketch featuring Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr.

Ali Takes a Dive

Muhammad Ali takes a dive for a 3 year old, showing how funny he could be with kids. The 3 year old boxer proves he’s a gracious winner by giving the Champ a kiss at the end.

The Champ Pranks Some Kids

Smile. Muhammad Ali is on Candid Camera pranking school kids.

Cassius Clay on Tonight Show

Cassius Clay (prior to his Muhammad Ali name change) turns on the rhymes and his comedic charm on Steve Allen’s Tonight Show.