Recognized as one of the nation's elite charity events, Celebrity Fight Night is a star-studded evening presented in honor of our featured guest, Muhammad Ali. Celebrities and professional athletes from all over the world participate in a night filled with incredible Live Auction items and live musical performances by many of today's brightest stars.
Each year, this power-packed night of excitement not only leaves our audience with unforgettable memories, but more importantly, generates millions of dollars to help people in need.
Jimmy founded Celebrity Fight Night in 1994 with a desire to raise money for its local charities. Throughout its history the event has become one of the largest grossing charity events in the country and “I’ve done hundreds of these events, Celebrity Fight Night is an A+” —David Foster 16 time Grammy Winnerhas raised in excess of $135 million for charity with the primary beneficiary the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter, and many other worthy charities. Countless lives have been changed thanks to the tremendous generosity of our supporters.
Celebrity Fight Night is proud and honored to have Muhammad Ali “Celebrity Fight Night is the best of the best!” —Tom Hanks as its featured guest for the past 18 years; and we look forward to the years to come with excitement, enthusiasm and a continued commitment to Winning the Fight for Charities.
For the past 19 years, David Foster, 16 time Grammy Winner, has been Musical Director for this event, and Reba McEntire has been the Emcee for 12 years.
Event History
Over 20 years ago Celebrity Fight Night came to life through the vision of Jimmy Walker, who thought it would be possible to raise money for local charities through a celebrity charity event. The first event operated on a much smaller scale than today. With the help of Phoenix Suns Charles Barkley, Dan Majerle, and boxing champion Michael Carbajal, who humorously fought in the ring with oversized boxing gloves, the first Celebrity Fight Night “Celebrity Fight Night has raised the bar so high on the level of talent that performs.”
—Kevin Costnerwas a smash hit. The following year Kenny Rogers joined the event by performing a magical 40-minute concert that changed the dynamic of Celebrity Fight Night from a sports event to a celebrity-filled charity event with live musical entertainment by major marquee entertainers.
In its third year, Celebrity Fight Night took a big leap into the national spotlight when the most recognized man in the world, Muhammad Ali accepted an invitation to become the featured guest. The world learned about the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.
After eighteen years of support, Celebrity Fight Night has become synonymous “I’ve been here for almost all of them, and every year is the greatest event ever! It’s the most amazing combination of entertainers and sport’s figures.” —Billy Crystalwith the Champ's name. At the 6th annual event, Celebrity Fight Night was fortunate to have 16-time Grammy winner, David Foster join the team as Musical Director. Then at Celebrity Fight Night XI, we were treated to the warmth and hospitality that only Reba McEntire can provide as our evening host; and she has been our emcee every year since!
Some of the celebrities who have participated in Celebrity Fight Night include Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Blake Shelton, Ronnie Dunn, Kelly Clarkson, Glenn Fry, Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Carrie Underwood, Rod Stewart, Kenny Rogers, Clive Davis, Billy Crystal, Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Robin Williams, Sinbad, Dennis Quaid, Michael J. Fox, Bon Jovi, The Band Perry, “There are lots of good wonderful, big hearted people here tonight that I just love with all my heart. I like to meet new people and the cream of the crop is here.” —Reba McEntireBrian McKnight, Michael Bolton, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Donna Summer, Jordin Sparks, Faith Hill, Sam Moore, The Village People, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Nash, Russell Wilson, Kurt Warner, Joe Montana, John Elway, Troy Aikman, Larry Fitzgerald, Donald Trump, Robert Kennedy, Jr., and many more.
Celebrity Fight Night has been covered in national publications including People Magazine, Sports Illustrated and USA Today, and on national television shows such as "Entertainment Tonight", "Access Hollywood", "Extra", "E!", and the "Hollywood Insider".
Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Award
The Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Awards were established at Celebrity Fight Night IV as a way to acknowledge leaders in the sports, entertainment and business communities who best represent the qualities associated with the Champ and his fight to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. Previous award recipients have included:
- Kevin Costner
- Robert DeNiro
- Josh Groban
- Halle Berry
- Jim Carrey
- Larry King
- Michael J. Fox
- Chevy Chase
- Sharon Stone
- Magic Johnson
- Clive Davis
- Russell Wilson
- Wayne Gretzky
- Steve Nash
- Jack Nicklaus
- Joe Montana
- John Elway
- Walter Scott
- Bob Parsons
- Howard Schultz
- Randy Johnson
- Bill Austin
- Kurt Warner
- Larry Fitzgerald
- Dr. Francis Yeoh
- Forest Whitaker
- Jerry Weintraub
- Donald Trump
- Michael Phelps
- Curt Schilling
- Luis Gonzalez
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Evander Holyfield
- Emmitt Smith
- Tony Hawk
- Jerry Colangelo
- Foster Friess
- Chris Evert
- Michael Johnson
- Cristie Kerr
- Harvey Mackay
- Diane and Bruce Halle
- George, Julia & Stephanie Argyros
- Stewart Rahr
- LaDainian Tomlinson
- Red McCombs
- Dr. Robert Spetzler
