Hollywood’s A-list stars turned out in force last Saturday night to celebrate Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday during the Power of Love Gala in Las Vegas. The annual Keep Memory Alive event raised money to support the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center. The star-studded gala was taped for TV and is scheduled to air this weekend.
“This year’s Power of Love Gala brings attention and funds to the important work being done at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health on a whole new scale,” chairman Larry Ruvo told The Boxing Insider. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to shed light on the fight to knock out neurocognitive disorders while celebrating the life and ongoing contributions of the legend, Muhammad Ali.”
Hollywood heavyweights, including popular TV stars and sports legends lined up to perform and offer heartfelt tributes to Muhammad Ali. Larry King, Cee Lo Green, Stevie Wonder, Samuel L. Jackson, David Beckham, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Lenny Kravitz, Sean Combs, Anthony Hopkins, John Legend, Slash, David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf, Brad Garrett, Kelly Rowland, James Gandolfini, and Sammy Hagar were all in attendance. Boxing icons included Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Tommy “Hitman” Hearns.
The star-studded celebration honored Muhammad Ali and his remarkable contribution to the world of boxing. It also aimed to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s, the disease “The Champ” has been battling since 1984. During the Power of Love Gala, the organization 23andMe premiered a new video starring Muhammad and Lonnie Ali. During the inspirational video (view at left), the two discuss their efforts to research and cure Parkinson’s.
More than 2,000 stars paid $1,500 per plate to attend the Power of Love Gala. "America started with slavery and ended up with a black president," NFL great Jim Brown told USA Today. "Muhammad Ali was a part of that … a big part." Boxing promoter Bob Arum added, “Without Muhammad Ali, there wouldn't have been an Obama.”
To this day, Muhammad Ali is still considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. He was the Olympic Heavyweight Gold medalist in 1960 and the Heavyweight Champion in 1964-1967, 1974-1978, and 1978-1979. His impressive record stands at 56 wins, 5 losses, and 37 knockouts.
The important TV event was taped last weekend at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and is set to air on ABC on Saturday, February 25th at 4:00 p.m. ET. It will also re-air on ESPN2 later that same night at 10:00 p.m. ET.
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