here’s to the fists
that rocked the skulls,
that knocked opponents
dead-hard to the mat;

here’s to the man
that tore into the world,
that roared into the world
a lion and a lamb

the man that floated,
the man that stung;
a great man pulled himself first
and
a great man put himself last;

here’s to the fighter
that refused to fight,
here’s to the champion,
to the tongue and to the wit
of one who won in every way,
held freedom tight every day

here’s to the proud and humble
contradiction of a hero;

hands raised high for Casius Clay!
Fist to the sky for Mohammed Ali!