Billy Crystal sings happy birthday to Ali
Former heavyweight champ celebrates 65th birthday at comedian's show
 Ross D. Franklin / AP Billy Crystal, right, honors boxing legend Muhammad Ali, center right, with a cake on his 65th birthday during intermission of Crystal's show "700 Sundays" at Arizona State University on Wednesday. Crystal's wife, Janice Crystal, holds the cake as Lonnie Ali, Muhammad's wife, looks on. |
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TEMPE, Ariz. - Muhammad Ali celebrated his 65th birthday Wednesday night watching his old friend Billy Crystal perform at Arizona State University.
The former heavyweight champion joined the comedian on stage, receiving a minute-long standing ovation from the crowd and a cake from Crystal’s wife.
“He’s been a truly great friend to me and a great friend to the world,” Crystal said. “Please join me in singing happy birthday to the greatest senior citizen of all time.”
The nearly 2,000 people who came to see Crystal’s one-man show, “700 Sundays,” chanted “Ali! Ali! Ali!”
Crystal and Ali held up fists in a mock stare-down as Crystal’s wife, Janice, came out with a cake with one candle lit. Ali dipped his finger in the cake and, arm in arm, the boxer and the comedian blew out the candle and walked off stage.
“I’m really happy we had tickets tonight,” said Cheryl Tamasauckas of Scottsdale. “Even though I’m not a boxing fan, everybody knows him.”
David Tipp, of Tempe, said the moment brought a tear to his eye.
“If I was onstage and I was Muhammad Ali, I’d be taken aback by that,” Tipp said. “I’m going to tell everybody that story now.”
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