Joe Louis is the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. Rocky Marciano is second only to Louis. Where do I rate Ali? Somewhere below me. I beat him, and if I could beat him, no doubt Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano could have beaten him.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
I just give lip service to being the greatest. He was the greatest. (Note: this quote is sometimes said to be about fellow boxer Sugar Ray Robinson)
Joe Louis, to me, was the finest human being God put on this earth in every way.
(I define fear as) standing across the ring from Joe Louis and knowing he wants to go home early.