APTEMPE, 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.”
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
NEW YORK (AP) - As the glow fades from the Giants' Super Bowl triumph, some New York sports fans are tuning in to basketball and hockey, with the Rangers in first place and the Knicks' overnight sensation, Jeremy Lin, sparking "Lin-sanity.''
Robins: This year, six new breeds will be making their debut on the green carpet for the Westminster Dog Show, which begins Monday.
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