Ali’s 70th birthday gala set for Feb. 18

Boxing legends join top entertainers and Hollywood stars Feb. 18 for Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday celebration, a $1,500-a-plate gala at the MGM Grand Garden arena.

ABC is televising the tribute, which is being hosted by the 16th annual Keep Memory Alive Power of Love benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

The list released Friday by organizers included boxing icons Sugar Ray Leonard, Ken Norton, Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, Roberto Duran, Angelo Dundee and Leon Spinks.

Also expected: Lenny Kravitz, Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Legend, Cee Lo Green, Brad Garrett, Kelly Rowland, James Gandolfini, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Sammy Hagar.

ABC will broadcast the event a week later on Feb. 25.

A gala source said they have "a very good understanding" that many other big names plan to attend.

A recent report indicated fight promoter Bob Arum was trying to secure a singing performance by boxing star Manny Pacquiao.

But the source said, "That's still really tentative, and I'm not sure that's going to happen. He's been invited, but there's no clear word whether he's coming."

About 900 of the 1,400 tickets have been sold.

For ticket information, call 263-9797.

MISS AMERICA ODDS

A Las Vegas oddsmaker has made Miss Wisconsin a narrow favorite to win Miss America on Saturday at Planet Hollywood Resort. Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations at Wynn Las Vegas, lists Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler as the odds-on favorite at 6-1. Avello provides odds for entertainment purposes only, not for wagering. Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson is the second choice at 8-1, with Miss Texas Kendall Morris at 9-1. Rounding out Avello's top 10 choices: 4. Miss Hawaii, 10-1; 5. Miss Utah, 14-1; 6. Miss New York, 15-1; 7. Miss Kentucky, 17-1; 8. Miss Idaho, 18-1; 9. Miss Michigan, 19-1 and Miss New Hampshire, 20-1.

SIGHTINGS

Ex-mayor Oscar Goodman, duplicating Tim Tebow's prayerful "Tebowing" pose, at Oscar's Beef Booze Broads (Plaza) on Friday. ... Paige O'Hara, whose animated character Belle was the heroine of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," attended a special private screening of the movie's 20th anniversary version in 3-D on Wednesday at the Brenden Theatres at the Palms. The Broadway veteran moved here more than a decade ago to guest star in the Radio City Rockettes show at the Flamingo. ... Sixteen former Miss Americas, including reigning winner Teresa Scanlan of Nebraska, were hosted by the Vinter Grill on Thursday at the pageant's annual fundraising luncheon. Also there: Comedian and actor Mario Cantone, a regular in the "Sex and the City" franchise. ... Steve Buscemi and Steve Carell, taking in the 9:30 p.m. performance of "Love" (Mirage) on Thursday. They've been in town all week shooting the movie, "Burt Wonderstone." ... Veteran local actor Rusty Meyers, playing a smut peddler in a scene outside Caesars Palace on Wednesday during shooting of "Burt Wonderstone." In the scene, Carell (who plays Wonderstone, a veteran magician) and Olivia Wilde, his romantic interest, are getting cozy when Meyers interrupts them when he offers them a smutty flier. Meyers has been with "Viva Elvis" (Aria at CityCenter) for about two years as Col. Tom Parker's stand-in. ... At "Viva Elvis" on Thursday: DJ Paul Oakenfold, who did a remix of Elvis' hit "Rubberneckin' " for Elvis' "2nd to None" CD. ... Seth Gold, who stars in Tru TV's reality show "Hardcore Pawn," meeting with Palace Station headliner Louie Anderson's show at Palace Station after Thursday's show.

THE PUNCH LINE

"There are rumors now that Khloe Kardashian is not a real Kardashian. I remember how devastated I was when I found out I was not a real Kardashian." -- David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.