Ali Honored At Annual Vegas Birthday Benefit
The gloves Muhammad Ali wore in his bout with Floyd Patterson were auctioned for $750,000 at a Las Vegas gala in the former champ’s honor. The proceeds were earmarked for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, the beneficiary of Saturday’s event at the MGM Grand, which marked Ali’s 70th birthday. Station Casinos executive Lorenzo Fertitta outbid Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for the vintage gloves, which were used in Ali’s epic 1965 title fight with Patterson. The auction was a highlight of a star-studded night that included a rousing version of “Happy Birthday” led by Stevie Wonder. President Obama sent a video message that was played for the crowd. Ali was in attendance but did not speak. The legendary boxer, who is afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease, was actually born in January. Celebrities at the event included several celebrities, from Cindy Crawford to Samuel L. Jackson. Boxing icons who attended include Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Tommy “Hitman” Hearns.
The gloves Muhammad Ali wore in his bout with Floyd Patterson were auctioned for $750,000 at a Las Vegas gala in the former champ’s honor. The proceeds were earmarked for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, the beneficiary of Saturday’s event at the MGM Grand, which marked Ali’s 70th birthday. Station Casinos executive Lorenzo Fertitta outbid Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for the vintage gloves, which were used in Ali’s epic 1965 title fight with Patterson. The auction was a highlight of a star-studded night that included a rousing version of “Happy Birthday” led by Stevie Wonder. President Obama sent a video message that was played for the crowd. Ali was in attendance but did not speak. The legendary boxer, who is afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease, was actually born in January. Celebrities at the event included several celebrities, from Cindy Crawford to Samuel L. Jackson. Boxing icons who attended include Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Tommy “Hitman” Hearns.
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