Muhammad Ali visits McClymonds High School in Oakland

About This Item

KTVU News footage from September 27, 1963 featuring an interview with Muhammad Ali, surrounded by a boisterous crowd of students at McClymonds High School in Oakland. Ali says: "I'm always here to promote boxing and to promote Cassius Clay. I want all the people to be here to see the world's greatest fighter. The world's prettiest fighter ... The onlyest man to retire Sonny Liston, the big ugly bear!" When asked to explain why Ali thinks he will beat Liston, he replies: "I know I can beat him ... I'm just the greatest! I've had 20 professional fights and won 'em all of course ... I got a good poem for the bear ... If you like to lose your money / Be a fool and bet on Sonny." It's worth noting that this interview was shot before Ali stopped referring to himself as Cassius Clay. 

Thanks to the Oakland History Facebook page and to Philip Duhe for posting a photograph there on 4/15/2022, which enabled us to identify the date and location for this footage.

This 16mm film print was remastered in 4K (4096 x 2970) using a Lasergraphics ScanStation film scanner, in May 2022.

Type of material
archival newsfilm
Duration
0:50
16mm b&w, magnetic sound film
Rights for this video belong to
Cox Enterprises Inc/KTVU
Date aired
c1964/5
Originally aired on
KTVU
Identifier
KTVU 37-20
Views
4697

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