Frail Muhammad Ali attends star-studded event to raise money in the fight against Parkinson's Disease - which has proved his toughest opponent

Still The Greatest: Frail Muhammad Ali attends star-studded event to raise money in the fight against Parkinson's Disease - which has proved his toughest opponent

 

10 April 2016 

The annual gala, held at the Marriott Resort, raises money for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute.

Muhammad Ali has attended a star-studded event in his honour to raise money for the fight against Parkinson's Disease. It was headlined by singer Carrie Underwood

Singer Carrie Underwood headlined the event and sang country music hits. The 33-year-old wore a highly-embellished sleeveless minidress and large diamond chandelier earrings. The frail former heavyweight champion who suffers from Parkinson's has rarely been seen in recent years and his appearance electrified guests at the gala in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ali received a standing ovation at the 22nd annual Celebrity Fight Night, which raises money for research into the disease, after a video tribute to the star was played.

The 74-year-old, who has been battling Parkinson's disease for many years, has been advised not to travel by his doctors and has made few public appearances because of his condition. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1984.

Last month he has pulled out of a trip to Britain because his family believed the cold weather and long haul flight would place too big a strain on his body.

For a good cause: Former CNN talk show host Larry King and his wife Shawn (left) and Bo Derek (right) lent their star power to the 22nd annual Celebrity Fight Night gala in honour  of Ali

Linda Thompson, the former spouse of Bruce - now Caitlyn - Jenner and ex-wife of music producer David Foster, also attended the event 

The Rumble In The Jungle: Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman (Full Fight, 30th October 1974)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/muhammad-ali-pictured-star-studded-7729514?