The news traveled fast. That same afternoon, Muhammad’s personal secretary called Malcolm with a message: his request for reinstatement before the upcoming Saviours’ Day Convention had been denied. She told him that Elijah refused to lift his ban because he “continued to rebel.” Malcolm requested a hearing to defend himself against the charges, but again his appeal was rejected. Later that night, Muhammad delivered another message. This time, though, he made the call himself. He warned Cassius X that “all good Muslims should stay away from Malcolm” during his suspension.59
Four days before his title match, Cassius began contemplating the repercussions of hosting Malcolm. Muhammad reminded him that Malcolm had violated his edict and that all disobedient Muslims would suffer punishment. After speaking with Elijah, Cassius realized that he had endangered his relationship with the Supreme Minister. The failure to heed his warning, he understood, would have consequences.
BILL MACDONALD DID not like having Malcolm in Clay’s camp anymore than Elijah Muhammad did. The same day that Clay spoke to Elijah, MacDonald called Clay into his office, threatening to cancel the fight if he didn’t denounce the Black Muslims. MacDonald complained that his involvement with Malcolm had provoked a boycott by the Jewish community, which was large and powerful in Miami. The Muslims’ past comments about Jews exploiting blacks were hurting the gate, he insisted.60
Others criticized Clay’s relationship with the Nation of Islam as well. Marion Jackson, a black writer for the Atlanta Daily World, condemned Cassius for opposing integration and promoting the views of the Nation. “Clay, through his association with Malcolm X, Muhammad, and other Black Muslims, has revealed himself as a white-hating racist at the time when intergroup progress is being made throughout the South.”61
Yet MacDonald failed to convince Clay to rebuke the Muslims. He could not understand why Cassius would allow him to cancel the match, risking his only chance at the title. “My religion is more important to me than the fight,” Clay said. Despite his sincerity, MacDonald replied that he had no choice. He was canceling the fight.62
Publicist Harold Conrad was stunned by the decision. He told MacDonald that it was too late. They had already sold thousands of tickets and signed contracts with closed-circuit theaters.
“The hell I can’t call it off,” MacDonald retorted. “You’re a Northerner. You don’t understand. You don’t realize that Miami is the Deep South and is just as segregated as any town in Mississippi. How can I promote a fight down here with a guy who thinks we’re white devils?”
Conrad pleaded with him to change his mind. “Bill, you’re gonna go down in history as the guy who denied a fighter a title shot because of his religion,” he said.
“Bullshit. Don’t start hitting me with the Constitution.” MacDonald was unsure of his next move. “It’s that Malcolm X. He’s responsible for all this trouble and he’s practically running the kid’s fight camp. That don’t look good.”
Conrad had an idea. If he could convince Malcolm to leave town, would MacDonald allow the fight to go on?
“Yeah, I guess so,” the promoter answered.
Conrad drove out to Clay’s house where he met the fighter, surrounded by somber Muslims. When he walked into the house the hostility was palpable. Cassius was in no mood to talk with him, either. Conrad turned toward Malcolm and explained that the fight was off, “but you can save it for him.”
“How?” Malcolm asked.
“You have to get out of town now. You’re the focal point. You’re the guy the press knows.”
Malcolm looked away from Conrad. He just stood there calculating. He thought about Cassius. Finally, he answered. “All right, I’ll go, but I’m coming back for the fight.”
Conrad offered his hand and a forced smile, but Malcolm wouldn’t shake it. He simply touched the white man’s wrist with his forefinger, and walked away.
The fight was back on.
Chapter Eleven
THE CRUSADE
It’s widely believed that there are more people in the world who understand Einstein’s Theory than think Cassius Clay has a chance.
—JIM MURRAY
Beethoven wrote some of his greatest symphonies when he was deaf. Why couldn’t Cassius Clay fight when he was blind?
—FERDIE PACHECO
A hard, cold wind blew in from the west, dumping a few inches of snow in northern Florida and whipping rain across Biscayne Bay toward the resorts of Miami Beach. Sonny Liston had an ideal view of the storm. He and Geraldine were sharing a palatial sixteen-room beach house on Biscayne Bay with Joe Louis and his wife. Together, Sonny and Joe, two of the most laconic champions in the history of the division, could watch the stinging rain swirl around the hotel towers, pockmarking the sand on the beach.1
It was two days before the title match and Liston had finished his training and was now hunkered down with his thoughts. He never had much to say, and even less in the days before a fight. Hungry for some news from Liston’s inner circle, reporters turned to Louis. Sonny would win, Joe predicted confidently. He called Clay a good amateur boxer who had never mastered professional tactics. He might last a few rounds if he ran like a rabbit, but eventually Sonny would catch him.