Ali's Fight Night is a Real Knockout
The Arizona Republic
March 17, 2003 

No one was fighting at this weekend's Fight Night benefit, but there were plenty of punch lines and lots of heavyweights in the ring, so to speak, with Muhammad Ali.

The celebs began to hit town Friday in private jets and gathered that night for an intimate dinner at the Royal Palms Inn. The champ, who is now fighting to knock out Parkinson's disease, shared a magic trick with friends like Evander Holyfield and members of the Fight Night Founders Club, which includes sports mogul Jerry Colangelo and Arizona Diamondback investors Ken and Randy Kendrick.

Mega-talented David Foster, winner of 14 Grammys, orchestrated the informal entertainment for the 100 guests. The musician, who has produced songs for superstar talent (Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand to name two), showed off his newest protégé, Michael Bublé. And Ali played a Chopsticks-type piece on the piano. The once-outspoken boxer, who has lost 50 pounds, doesn't often speak in public, but he smiled and said softly, "I'm making a comeback."
Star power
Dennis Quaid kicked off Saturday's night's bash with a rockin' performance of Great Balls of Fire. Rod Stewart and Reba McEntire wrapped up the late-night fete with a duet. And the audience of about 900 included Ali's friends Billy Crystal and wife Janice.

Scheduled host Larry King called in sick at the last minute, but Foster and Ali's wife, Lonnie, filled in.

Crystal's buddy, Robin Williams, with his on-stage antics and gracious off-stage presence, helped make it an unprecedented evening. So did another Robin, Robin Leach, who turned auctioneer. By the way, Leach who was the favorite personality on the highly rated two-week special I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, says all but one of the celebs who roughed it in the Outback are still friends. Seems Alana Stewart (ex-wife of Rod Stewart and George Hamilton) is the odd woman out.

But back to Saturday night's live auction. A trip to San Francisco for four and dinner with Williams and his wife, Marsha, sold twice, for $120,000 each! A trip to New York or Beverly Hills and dinner with the Crystals went for $70,000.

Halle Berry couldn't make it, but husband Eric Benet joined partygoers. Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford also flew in to support this fete, which benefits more than 10 charities, including the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Research Center and Childhelp USA.

Tickets started at $1,500 per person. And the man who gave birth to Fight Night nine years ago, Jimmy Walker, says the evening netted $5.5 million. That includes the spontaneous donations from three guests who pledged $1 million each.
Sports celebs
Among the sports celebs at Fight Night were college football coach Lou Holtz and golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The two also spoke for 500 guests at a Fight Night luncheon Friday. The lunch at the Biltmore, chaired by Missy Anderson, benefits Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona.
Broadway stars
Although Saturday night's event at Notre Dame Preparatory was an inaugural affair, it sold out and had a waiting list of about 50. Nancy DiMarco chaired the Jewel in the Desert gala. Kelli James and Ray Walker, cast members of Les Miserables and other Broadway productions, performed for the party of 400 in the school's gymnasium.