Celebrity Fight Night XIV sizzled and dazzled for more than six hours the night of April 5 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. This spectacular event, which featured a reception, dinner, silent and live auctions, and performances by some of today’s brightest stars, netted about $5 million for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center (MAPC) at Barrow and other charities.
What made the event so successful and so unforgettable? The photos on this page and the following spread tell the story:
- The Champ. Once again, Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie, presided over Celebrity Fight Night, and for many of the stars, sharing a stage with the Champ was reward enough for their efforts. “He’s the ultimate non-quitter,” said singer Collin Raye, who has been a fan of Ali since
childhood. “This is a guy who has lived his life the way he wanted to, and when he was stricken with Parkinson’s disease, he continued to live life on his terms.” - The sparkling room. The recently expanded and renovated ballroom held 1,300 guests.
- The tribute. Kevin Costner delivered a moving tribute to Muhammad Ali, perfectly capturing the place Ali holds in America’s heart.
- The entertainment. An amazing line-up of star power entertained throughout the evening, including Faith Hill, Collin Raye, John Mellencamp, Dionne Warwick, Kevin Costner and his Modern West band, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and comedian Sinbad, all under the
direction of David Foster. - The auctions. The silent auction was dramatically displayed, thanks to the efforts of Barrow Neurological Foundation volunteers. The live auction
of lavish prize packages raised a record amount. - The awards. The Muhammad Ali Awards went to Kevin Costner, Achievement; Clive Davis, Entrepreneur; Reba McEntire, Humanitarian; and LaDainian Tomlinson, Sports Achievement.
- The local donors. In addition to the amazing celebrity packages, the live auction featured several gifts donated by local businesses. David Kimmerle, the owner of Sanderson Ford, contributed a rare Mustang designed by the legendary Ford engineer Jack Roush (pictured above in a white shirt with Kimmerle). Kimmerle gave to the event because his family has been touched by Parkinson’s disease. Bourgets Motorcycles donated three custom-designed, Ali-themed motorcycles in honor of an employee who is a patient at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
- The guests. Among the guests were Barrow VIPs Dr. and Mrs. Robert Spetzler and Dr. Abe Lieberman, the new MAPC director, shown in front of a silent auction display.
- The volunteers. More than 60 volunteers spent months preparing for Celebrity Fight Night. Debbie Castaldo, director of Philanthropic innovation at Barrow Neurological Foundation (in red with Mike Ingram), led these volunteer efforts and helped generate donations to the event. Volunteer Margaret Ann Coles got a hug from Ali’s daughter, Rasheda, during the event.
- Celebrity Fight Night Foundation. The power-house behind this dynamic event is the Celebrity Fight Night Foundation. Dr. Robert Spetzler, director of Barrow, and Mary Jane Crist, CEO of Barrow Neurological Foundation, extend a heart-felt thank-you to founder Jimmy Walker and his wife, Nancy, and to Sean Currie and the staff of Celebrity Fight Night Foundation for their con-tinued support of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson
Center. ■
