This story became known after the publication of Ali's autobiography "The Greatest".

I suspect that it didn't really happen, and that maybe it was a bit of an allegory. Good story to put in a book and fits in with Ali's image with the Black Muslims at the time.

I reckon that in 50 years, one of Ali's descendents will miraculously get hold of it or something.

Quite a few of Ali's associates, who were close to him at the time, are quite closed-mouthed about this incident!