Becoming Muhammad Ali

Cassius always dreamed big, Lucky explains, still addressing the reader. He remembers how, when they were children listening to President Eisenhower on the radio, Cassius envisioned himself as president, “[n]ot just the best; the most beautiful one!” (167). Lucky thinks that Cassius really believed this, despite the fact that it was difficult for African Americans to vote, let alone become president.

Most of the time, Cassius was filled with cocky confidence, but Lucky explains that occasionally Cassius would worry. When Cassius was about to have his first fight, he pretended he was unafraid, but Lucky could tell when he was acting. His act, Lucky posits, was to make him believe it too.

Cassius was not the biggest kid in the gym. He was likely going to get beaten up sometimes. His boxing gloves looked huge on his skinny arms, and he even confided to Lucky once that he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep his arms up because the gloves were so heavy.

They were both afraid that his dreams wouldn’t come true.

Cassius has known Riney and Lucky since grade school. He now sees Lucky only on the weekends or after school because Lucky goes to a Catholic school.