Celebrity Fight Night, one of the nation’s most impactful charity events held each year in honor of featured guest Muhammad Ali, will mark its 20th anniversary on Saturday, April 12 at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix.
Joining Ali for this special milestone will be memorable performances from Michael Bublé, The Band Perry and Kenny Rogers. A significant beneficiary of Celebrity Fight Night is the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, offering the most comprehensive Parkinson’s Center in the country.
International superstar Michael Bublé has won four Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. With four No.1 albums on the Billboard 200 topping the charts for five weeks, he has become an international favorite. Additionally, guests will have the chance to bid on a live auction package to enjoy a private dinner with Bublé.
The legendary Kenny Rogers, a Country Music Hall of Fame member, has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. He has been voted “Favorite Singer of All Time” by USA Today and People. Rogers was the first musical performer ever at Celebrity Fight Night in 1996.
Joining Bublé and Rogers on the stage will be a high energy performance from Grammy®-Award winning country music group, The Band Perry; along with other surprise guests.
“We’re honored to have these stars join us for this special 20th anniversary of Celebrity Fight Night,” said Jimmy Walker, founder of Celebrity Fight Night and close friend of Ali. “Over the years, so many memorable moments have occurred and we look forward to what April 12th brings.”
During the gala, Bublé, entertainment icon Robert De Niro as well as philanthropist John Paul DeJoria will be honored with Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Awards. Billy Crystal will make a special introduction for De Niro; and Bobby Kennedy, Jr. will introduce DeJoria. These awards acknowledge leaders in the sports, business or entertainment community who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments and have been instrumental in giving back to charity – key attributes Ali has long been known for.
Celebrity Fight Night premiered in the Valley in 1994 when local celebrities donned oversized boxing gloves for a comedic fight in the ring before 400 attendees. Today, more than 1,200 guests attend the event to accompany Muhammad Ali and other A-List celebrities. Celebrity Fight Night no longer features celebrity boxing, but by attending the event and bidding on live and silent auction items, each guest does their part to join Ali in winning the fight for charities.
“There are so many amazing moments that have taken place over the years,” said Sean Currie, executive director of Celebrity Fight Night. “One of my favorite memories was when Jim Carrey and Robin Williams did an impromptu comedic performance from their seats before the beginning of the show eight years ago. Of course who can forget when 300 women in the audience joined Kelly Clarkson during her closing song onstage; or the live auction package featuring dinner and concert with Andrea Bocelli in Tuscany that sold for $1.4 million. We look forward to a successful night of fundraising and more once-in-a-lifetime memories.”
Grammy® Award-winning leading lady of country music, Reba McEntire will also join featured guest Muhammad Ali at the star-studded gala. McEntire will return as the evening’s emcee for her ninth consecutive year. Also returning will be 16-time Grammy® Award-winning songwriter and producer, David Foster who will serve as Musical Director for his 15th year.
Over the past 19 years, Celebrity Fight Night has raised $87 million for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and other charities. At the personal request of Andrea Bocelli, Celebrity Fight Night is expanding globally. September 2014 will mark the first time the event will take place outside of Phoenix in Florence, Italy.
Celebrities and professional athletes from around the U.S. join Muhammad Ali each year in Phoenix for this celebrity-filled night complete with live auction items and musical performances by many of today’s brightest stars. Previous guests have included Andrea Bocelli, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Billy Crystal, Kevin Costner, Garth Brooks, Matchbox Twenty, Kelly Clarkson, Jon Bon Jovi, Robin Williams, Rascal Flatts, Jim Carrey, Larry King, Donald Trump, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Randy Jackson, Sharon Stone, Lionel Richie, Bo Derek, Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, John Mellencamp, Chris Tucker, Forest Whitaker, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many more.
Individual tickets range from $1,500 to $10,000 each and tables of 10 are priced from $15,000 to $100,000 each. For reservations, please call (602) 956-1121.
Celebrity Fight Night XX sponsors include USA Today Sports, Patrón, GoDaddy, PRO EM, and M Group Scenic Studios.
