05/10/2023
'I guess I've taught a thousand boys to box, or at least tried to teach them. Cassius Clay, when he first began coming around, looked no better or worse than the majority. If boxers were paid bonuses on their potential like ball players are, I don't know if he would have received one. He was just ordinary, and I doubt any scout would have thought much of him in his first year.
About a year later though, you could see that little smart aleck - I mean, he's always been sassy - had a lot of potential. He stood out because, I guess he had more dedication than most boys, and he had the speed to get him someplace.
He was a kid willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve something worthwhile in sports. I realised it was almost impossible to discourage him. He was easily the hardest worker of any boy I ever taught.'
- Joe Martin
