WASHINGTON: The legendary Muhammad Ali returned to Las Vegas and once again top celebrities, businessmen and even US President Barack Obama paid tribute to the retired boxer at his 70th birthday celebration. The gathering aimed at raising money for charitable causes was a complete success and, for instance, the gloves Ali used to defend his world boxing title for the first time in Las Vegas, were auctioned for more than $1 million and were bought by hotel and casino businessman Lorenzo Fertitta. Organizers of the gala benefit dinner and the auction held Saturday night in the MGM Grand Hotel never thought that they would get $1.1 million for the gloves Ali used in his 1965 defeat by knockout of Floyd Patterson.
Also included were original posters used to promote the fight, which bore both the name selected by Ali when he converted to Islam - Muhammad Ali - and his birth name of Cassius Clay.
Ali, who has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for 30 years, was honored by more than 2,000 people, including dozens of famous figures in sports, television, music and movies such David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins and Manny Pacquiao, who paid the cover charge starting at $1,500 per plate to attend the event. Also present at the five-hour-long dinner and gala were model Cindy Crawford, as well as actor Samuel L. Jackson.
During his career, Ali won 56 fights, 37 of them by knockouts, was defeated 5 times and became the most famous athlete in history because of his personality and his willingness to publicly defend the causes in which he believed.
Obama, the first African American president of the US, called Ali, who turned 70 last month, an “icon”. “Happy birthday, champ,” Obama told Ali by taped video message. “As a fighter, you were something spectacular. You shocked the world, and you inspired it, too. And even after all the titles and legendary bouts, you’re still doing it.”
Ex-football great Jim Brown said that Ali represents what is greatest about America, because at a time when only his athletic ability was recognized and expressing one’s beliefs was not allowed, Ali insisted on publicly revealing his thinking, thereby changing everything.
“America started with slavery and ended up with a black president,” Brown said. “Muhammad Ali was a part of that ... a big part.”
Ali, who was accompanied at the event by his family, sat with Stevie Wonder, who played the keyboard and sang his version of “Happy Birthday” for the man known as “The Greatest”.
Ali’s wife Lonnie was tasked with speaking on his behalf at the gala and said that her husband’s greatest wish has always been to inspire and help others, especially after he retired from boxing.