Muhammad Ali Paid Little Brother Rahman $50,000 For Driving And Jiving

If there is one nagging albeit minor flaw in “One Night In Miami,” brilliantly directed by Regina King and written by formidable Kemp Powers (see it on Amazon asap), it is the absence of any representation of a constant brooding presence in Cassius Clay’s inner circle of 1964.

The evocative film, centered around Malcolm X, Clay about to turn into Muhammad Ali, football superstar Jim Brown and singer Sam Cooke, does not mention or reflect how Rudolph Valentino Clay who became Rahman Ali, was nearly always at older brother’s side, more of a cheerleader than a sparring partner stood, both in boxing scenes and in Nation of Islam practices.

Today Ali would’ve turned age 79 and I decided it was past time to check in on Rahman, who lives in senior housing in Louisville with his wife.

Rahman, who had his own modestly successful pro career, sound sharp and alert when I rang him up. I suggested that he and Ali business agent Gene Kilroy were kind of the Last Mohicans from the era when “The Greatest” dominated not only boxing but really all sports. Kilroy is a casino fixture in Las Vegas and still offers a sharp tongue to any perceived affront to the Ali legend.

“I feel good,” Rahman said. “I hear from Gene; he is my buddy. I’m just taking it one day at a time.”

Rahman, 14-3-1 with seven KOs as a pro will turn age 78 on July 18.  His famous brother died at 74.

Rahman said his ring retirement was not dictated by his older brother.

“I made that decision myself,” Rahman said.

Someone asked Ali what Rahman’s role was in his camp upon ring retirement.

“I pay him $50,000 a year,” Ali cracked, “and that ain’t bad for driving and jiving.”

Rahman said he and spouse Cynthia would check the new movie out.

(mlcmarley@aol.com)