Brotherhood and Betrayal: The Tragic Friendship of Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali
History often celebrates the heroism of its icons. But behind the polished images and powerful speeches are human stories—of brotherhood, belief, betrayal, and regret. One of the most emotionally charged of these stories is the friendship between Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali.
It was a bond forged in faith and fire—and tragically, broken just before it was too late to mend.
A Meeting of Minds
In the early 1960s, Cassius Clay was not yet Muhammad Ali. He was a fast-talking, up-and-coming boxer who had the world’s attention but not yet its respect. Then came Malcolm X—charismatic, uncompromising, and already a major voice in the Black freedom struggle. They met through the Nation of Islam, and what followed was a relationship of mutual admiration.
To Malcolm, Ali was more than an athlete; he was the embodiment of Black pride and resistance. To Ali, Malcolm was a spiritual guide and older brother—a man who gave voice to his unspoken rage.
Malcolm welcomed Ali into his home, introduced him to his family, and mentored him into Islam. Their friendship was personal. Genuine. Tender. Until politics—and loyalty—got in the way.
The Break
After Ali’s stunning victory over Sonny Liston in 1964, he announced his conversion to Islam and his new name: Muhammad Ali. The world was shocked—but Malcolm was proud. Yet, just as Ali was rising, Malcolm was falling out with the Nation of Islam.
Malcolm’s comment that the assassination of JFK was “chickens coming home to roost” didn’t sit well with NOI leader Elijah Muhammad. He suspended Malcolm. But the truth ran deeper—Malcolm had grown too powerful, too independent, and had begun criticizing Elijah Muhammad’s personal misconduct.
By March 1964, Malcolm officially broke with the Nation of Islam.
And Ali? He chose Elijah. He stayed with the Nation.
What followed was heartbreak. Ali not only cut ties with Malcolm, but he also publicly denounced him, repeating the NOI’s rhetoric and calling his former mentor a traitor.
The Last Attempt
In early 1965, Malcolm X made a final attempt to reconcile. While in Ghana, he approached Ali—hoping for even a moment of peace between them.
Ali refused.
Weeks later, on February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated in Harlem, shot in front of his wife and daughters.
At the time, Ali showed no regret. In fact, he defended the Nation and its actions.
But time has a way of softening certainty.
😔 Ali’s Greatest Regret
Years later, Muhammad Ali began to reflect. In interviews, in his autobiography, in documentaries—Ali opened up about his deepest regret:
“Turning my back on Malcolm was one of the mistakes I regret most in my life.”
He had been young, misled, caught in the grip of loyalty and politics. He finally saw that Malcolm had only ever tried to guide him. Malcolm had been right—about the corruption, about unity, about the broader message of Islam.
“He was a visionary, ahead of us all,” Ali would say.
“I wish I could have told him I was sorry.”
There are so many lessons to learn from their story, but most importantly, do not wait until it is too late to say Sorry.