Howard Cosell quotes from Ali (2001)

Man, without me, you'd just be a mouth and a microphone.

Howard Cosell

And without me, you'd just be a mouth.

Howard Cosell

We'll be right back.

You want some food for that thing?

Howard Cosell

How could you do something like that to a man you revere?

Cos' it's funny.

Man, if they came to me tomorrow and say, "We want you to fight Joe Frazier. Madison Square Garden. Millions and millionses of dollars. Here's your license back." I will tell them, "I will never fight again."

Howard Cosell

Frankly, Muhammad, I'm surprised, because unless you- or until you fight Frazier--

Cosell, are you losin' your hearing along with your hair? Don't put no question to it, man. I done told you, I'm through fightin'. I got a much bigger contender, a much heavier opponent. I'm fightin' the entire US government.

Cosell

Do you think you're going to jail?

I don't know. I don't know.

Cosell

Joe Frazier told me on this show that he could knock you out.

See, there you go agitatin'. You should've asked Smokin' Joe what have he been smokin'? That boy even dream he whupped me, he better wake up and apologize. But if I ever was to get in the ring with Joe, here's what you might see. [attempts blow-by-blow commentary] Ali comes out to meet Frazier, but Frazier starts to retreat. If Joe goes back up an inch farther, he'll wind up in a ringside seat. Ali swings with his left. Ali swings with his right. Just look at the kid carry the fight. Frazier keeps backin', but there's not enough room. It's only a matter of time before Ali lowers the boom. Ali swings with his right. What a beautiful swing. But the punch lifts Frazier clean out of the ring. Frazier still rising, and the referee wears a frown 'cause he can't start countin' till Frazier comes down. Frazier's disappeared from view. The crowd is getting frantic. But our radar stations done picked him up. He's somewheres over the Atlantic. Now, who would've thought, when they came to the fight, they was gonna witness the launching of a black satellite? [normal] But don't wait for that fight. It ain't never gonna happen. The onliest thing you can do is wonder and imagine.