Summary

ROUND EIGHT – Lucius and Rudy went with Cassius one day to the hotel where boxing great Willie Pastrano was staying with his trainer. Cassius used a hotel phone to call Willie's room, and his bravado earned him three hours with Willie. When he left, he had soaked up every piece of praise and advice. Lucius said most people consider fear to be the opposite of confidence. He felt it was actually humility. Though many people did not see that in Cassius's personality, Lucius did. Cassius was humbled by the fact that his mother scrubbed other people's houses, working all day for four dollars. Cassius typically made that much from one television fight. He once went to work with Momma Bird and helped her for the entire day. Lucius said few “could make Cassius Clay feel humble. But his mother did” (232).

“Birthday” – This is...