New book sheds light on Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X's friendship

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - A new book co-authored by a Purdue University historian is shedding light on the secret friendship between boxing great Muhammad Ali and civil rights leader Malcolm X.

"Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X" was co-written by Purdue history professor Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith, an assistant professor of American history at Georgia Tech.

The book chronicles a friendship that began in 1962 and ended with Malcolm X's 1965 assassination.

Roberts says the book is "the story of a friendship of two people who loved each other but also were using each other."

At the time of their friendship Ali was still known as Cassius Clay. Ali's management kept the friendship secret because associating with the polarizing minister could have damaged his boxing career.