One factual aspect of the film is that Cassius Clay did announce his conversion to Islam publicly after the fight. Malcolm X did serve as a spiritual advisor to him in the years leading up to this decision. Like the film shows, Malcolm himself actually split from the religion in 1964, and his friendship with Cassius deteriorated soon after.

The movie also highlighted the tension between Malcolm X and Sam over their definitions of success. 

While Sam doesn't want to apologize for his music career, Malcolm says that he sold out and that he caters to white audiences. This then serves as the direct inspiration for Sam's biggest hit, "A Change Is Gonna Come."

According to USA Today, Kemp Powers did come up with the argument between Sam and Malcolm X, though he based it off of their respective beliefs at the time. 

Sam Cooke also didn't write "A Change Is Gonna Come" after that night in Miami, so it certainly wasn't based off of his interaction with Malcolm X. Sam was inspired to write the song after his group was turned away from a Louisiana motel due to the color of their skin. It was recorded in January of 1964.

Within a year of the Miami meetup, two of the four men were dead. Sam Cooke was shot and killed in December of 1964, while Malcolm X was assassinated in February of 1965.

Muhammad Ali died in 2016 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Jim Brown will celebrate his 85th birthday on Feb. 17, 2021.

One Night in Miami... is available to stream on Amazon Prime now.