Muhammad Ali cheered at 70th birthday bash in Ky.

By BRUCE SCHREINER/

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Muhammad Ali soaked in familiar cheers and chants along with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" on Saturday night as friends and admirers celebrated the boxing champ's coming 70th birthday at a party in his Kentucky hometown.

As party-goers mingled in a lobby of the Muhammad Ali Center before the party, Ali walked slowly to a second-floor balcony overlooking them. The crowd immediately began to clap, then broke into chants of "Ali! Ali!" followed by singing as Ali watched for about two minutes.

The three-time world heavyweight champion, who is battling Parkinson's disease, leaned against a rail and raised his right hand to wave to the crowd. Ali walked on his own but was at times assisted by his wife, Lonnie, and his sister-in-law. After the brief appearance, Ali went to his party.

Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis said his boyhood idol is "still the greatest."

"I feel so proud and honored that we're able to show our feelings and show our support for him," Lewis said.

Lewis said Ali's strength and influence extended far beyond the boxing ring in his humanitarian efforts.

"What he's done outside the ring — just the bravery, the poise, the feeling, the sacrifice," Lewis said "... He's truly a great man."

The guest list numbered 350 for the private party, which doubled as a $1,000-per-person fundraiser for the Ali Center, the six-year-old cultural and education complex designed to be a legacy to his social activism. The six-story center also retraces Ali's career, including his epic bouts against Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Sonny Liston.

Guests paid tribute to Ali beforehand.

"The reason I loved him is because of his confidence," University of Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari said. "He would talk and then back it up. He had great courage and who had more fun than him?"

The guest list also included Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee and three American hikers who were imprisoned in Iran. Ali, perhaps the most prominent U.S. Muslim, lobbied for their release. Rocker John Mellencamp headlined the entertainment. More >>