“Ali has shown the world that each person has a duty: to live for more than him or herself and help others,” a statement tennis legend Andre Agassi proclaimed about the boxing’s Greatest of All Time.
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Saturday night’s once in a lifetime bash, Keep Memory Alive 16th Annual “Power of Love Gala,” presented by Bill Edwards in honor of Mohammed Ali’s 70th birthday, was nothing short of a full-blown celebration.
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The event honored The Greatest of All Time, boxing legend Mohammed Ali, benefiting the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
Held at the MGM Grand Arena over 1,500 guests, including notable celebrities such as Samuel L Jackson, David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins, Larry King, Chazz Palminteri, P. Diddy, Cindy Crawford, tennis legend Andre Agassi, Hall of Famer Jim Brown, boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Ray Mancini, were in attendance to support not only the champ, but this important cause as well.
The night kicked off early with a silent auction, a Dom Perignon reception, tropical cocktails, and delicious hors d’oeuvres.
The extravagant gala included a delicious full sit down dinner prepared by acclaimed chefs Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina.
Highlights of the evening included performances by LL Cool J (who sang “Mama’s Said Knock You Out”) Snoop Dogg, Kelly Rowland, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Cee-Lo Green, and even another legend Stevie Wonder serenaded “Happy Birthday” to the champ.
I especially loved the energy P. Diddy brought in when he took over the microphone at the end of the event and led a shout out and standing ovation to Ali. The amount of respect and admiration for Muhammad Ali was unparalleled.
President Obama did not make the event, but sent his birthday wishes through a 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.”
Ali’s nearly three decade long battle with Parkinson’s has not been easy. It has however, strengthened his commitment to generating awareness and raising money to fund research of brain related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Professional fighters are very highly exposed to brain injuries.
The important research uncovered through the center will be highly beneficial to all who suffer brain trauma.
The gala has not only generated massive publicity. but has raised over millions for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Disease and Muhammed Ali Center.
Sometimes the greatest fights are not those we see with our own eyes but the ones that lies deep within oneself.
The real winners, the real fighters are the ones who continue to pick themselves up clearly when they have fallen.
Mohammed Ali made be sick, he may not be able to run, and he will never box again, but his fight is long from over. The most important fights are not the ones we fight for ourselves, but the battles we have won for others.
After the sentimental montage of Mohammed Ali’s life, his wife Lonnie spoke on his behalf.
“People look for miracles, people look for wonders, and people expect surprises of all kinds. Yet the greatest wonder, the greatest miracle, the greatest surprise is to be found in one’s heart.”
This blog was provided by Philanthropy Files.com
