And I remember leaving my place in L.A. and - my father is a big fight fan - and I said, 'Dad, I got a couple of days off and I'm getting ready to go to Houston to sign to fight Muhammad Ali.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Ali was a legend of our sport. For me as a kid, he inspired me to represent myself like a champion in and out of the ring.
I wanted to be the best street fighter in Houston, Texas. And I thought if I got a trophy or two, I'd go back home, and everyone would be afraid of me. I had one fight in '67, the first one. In '68 of October, I was an Olympic gold-medalist, a dream come true, with a total of 25 boxing matches.
Ali would not be Ali unless I had come along. Him and me had three fights.
I went to see President Nixon at the White House. It wasn't difficult to get a meeting because I was heavyweight champion of the world. So I came to Washington and walked around the garden with Nixon, his wife and daughter. I said: I want you to give Ali his licence back. I want to beat him up for you.
Muhammad Ali was the kind of guy you either loved or hated, but you wanted to see him. I happen to really love him. He brought boxing to another level and always made you laugh.
I think Ali was a fan of mine, even though he never said it. A lot of fighters thought I was pretty good. Nobody every really spoke different on that. But a lot of fighters thought I was good so.
My dad just wanted me to find something to do to keep me out of trouble. Boxing was the great escape.
I was a huge Mike Tyson fan growing up; his fights were always on in my house.
Coming to Houston was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up.
Ali and I have become friends over the years. I was on a plane with him one time when he was the champion.
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