Boxing News

February 26, 2005

Atlanta, GA-  Former Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis served as the Co-Honorary Chairman with former President Bill Clinton for the Butterfly Ball- A National Tribute to Muhammad Ali. 

 The Ball took place in Atlanta, Georgia and was a celebration of Black History Month and a fundraising effort for the Muhammad Ali Center in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.   
PBS talk show host, Tavis Smiley and nationally syndicated radio personality, Tom Joyner co-hosted the Butterfly Ball.

  Lewis was joined by Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, Cornel West, former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young and Laila Ali in paying tribute to the legendary Muhammad Ali. 

Gospel singer Vanessa Bell Armstrong and RnB singer Brian
McKnight provided the evening’s entertainment.
“It was Ali’s accomplishments outside the ring that really inspired me,” said Lewis, “And I’m glad to be able to support Muhammad in realizing his dream of creating an international center dedicated to such noble goals.” 

 Lewis pledged $300,000 to the capital campaign for the Ali Center in 2004; the first and only athlete of color to support the capital campaign for Muhammad Ali’s international center. 
The Ali Center will emphasize six core values — respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality — all major themes of Ali’s life which are designed to inspire visitors to achieve personal greatness. 

 The Center is scheduled to open in November 2005.

February 26, 2005

Atlanta, GA-  Former Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis served as the Co-Honorary Chairman with former President Bill Clinton for the Butterfly Ball- A National Tribute to Muhammad Ali. 

 The Ball took place in Atlanta, Georgia and was a celebration of Black History Month and a fundraising effort for the Muhammad Ali Center in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.   
PBS talk show host, Tavis Smiley and nationally syndicated radio personality, Tom Joyner co-hosted the Butterfly Ball.

  Lewis was joined by Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, Cornel West, former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young and Laila Ali in paying tribute to the legendary Muhammad Ali. 

Gospel singer Vanessa Bell Armstrong and RnB singer Brian
McKnight provided the evening’s entertainment.
“It was Ali’s accomplishments outside the ring that really inspired me,” said Lewis, “And I’m glad to be able to support Muhammad in realizing his dream of creating an international center dedicated to such noble goals.” 

 Lewis pledged $300,000 to the capital campaign for the Ali Center in 2004; the first and only athlete of color to support the capital campaign for Muhammad Ali’s international center. 
The Ali Center will emphasize six core values — respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality — all major themes of Ali’s life which are designed to inspire visitors to achieve personal greatness. 

 The Center is scheduled to open in November 2005.