Muhammad Ali’s life honoured in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS: Muhammad Ali had seven prizefights in Las Vegas, with his two losses there coming in the twilight of his legendary career. Now, dozens of heavyweight celebrities went back to Sin City to laud a lifetime in the spotlight and joined the icon known as “The Greatest” in fighting neurological diseases.

Roughly 2,000 people attended a swanky gala to celebrate Ali’s 70th birthday on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the site of most of boxing’s major fights the past 20 years.

Ali turned 70 last month, and had another celebration and fundraiser then in his home state of Kentucky.

One of Ali’s daughters, Rasheda Ali, said the gala was a chance for friends, family and A-listers who looked up to her father to show their respect for his life and legacy as a humanitarian.

In return, she said he was honoured to see them there.

“He has not left that need to help others,” Rasheda said. “That’s one of his core values – his charity and his giving.”

The gala, which started at US$1,500 (RM4,567) per plate, drew some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports – including David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins, Samuel L. Jackson and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Ali had lived with Parkinson’s disease for nearly 30 years that some doctors said could be brought on by punches to the head.

The gala raised funds for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Centre for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville, Kentucky.