‘Battle’ packs big celebrity punch

An A-list crowd for the ages turned out Saturday for the "Battle of the Planet" between Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Celebrities who had never attended a superfight showed up in big numbers, including Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Simon Cowell.

"Someone said we need more security," said Darrin Libonati, who operates the Thomas & Mack, "and I said, 'Why? We've got 'The Terminator,' 'Die Hard,' 'Rocky' and Chuck Zito here.'"

Zito, the celebrity bodyguard/actor and a big fight fan, said the star power rivaled the 1971 Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier megafight at Madison Square Garden.

"I'm told this hasn't happened in many years, and that was our vision," said co-promoter Robert Earl, the Planet Hollywood Resort owner whose celebrity connections had the crowd of 18,000 abuzz before the first punch was landed.

"We want to bring back that tradition when the Hollywood crowd was at ringside. That's our vision," Earl said.

Zeta-Jones, a Welsh native, stopped traffic when she showed up Saturday at the pool at Planet Hollywood Resort in a black swimsuit with sheer sides. She was in town to support countryman Calzaghe.

Another Welsh superstar, Tom Jones, sang the Welsh National Anthem for Calzaghe. Also at the fight: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Jeremy Piven, Michael J. Fox, Brandy, Chris Tucker, James Belushi, Ray J., Ray Leonard, Joey Fatone, Rob Schneider, Luke Perry, Mark McGrath, Willis McGahee, Lance Briggs, Pete Sampras and boxers Roy Jones Jr., Marco Antonio Barrera, Winky Wright and Zab Judah.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Penn & Teller lead the AIDS Walk today, with registration starting at 8 a.m. at the World Market Center. ...

Over at The Orleans, a fundraising concert for Norman Kaye of the legendary Mary Kaye Trio, begins at noon today in the showroom. ...

Review-Journal Publisher Sherman Frederick has weighed in on the heated confrontation between this writer and Criss Angel, who blew up after his girlfriend, Miss Nevada USA Veronica Grabowski, failed to make the cut for the 15 finalists. Read his comments in his reviewjournal.com blog at www.lvrj.com/blogs/sherm/.

SIGHTINGS

Justin Timberlake, celebrating the birthday of his longtime assistant Friday at Privé with his mother, Lynn Harless, and friend Trace Ayala. Earlier, they were at Dick's Last Resort (Excalibur). ... Carmen Electra, celebrating her 36th birthday early on Friday with boyfriend/guitarist Rob Patterson at Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace). Her birthday is today. Also at Pure: NBA star Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Peerless Price. ... The final six contestants of "American Idol," filming at The Venetian on Friday with Andrew Lloyd Webber, their mentor for Tuesday's show. ... Actor Johnathon Schaech, celebrating the release of his movie, "Prom Night," on Friday at Tao Las Vegas (The Venetian) with co-stars Scott Porter, Jana Kramer and Collins Pennie. ... Rap mogul Jay-Z, hosting a 1940s-themed party Friday at his 40/40 Club (Palazzo). ... Mike Tyson, dropping by Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Friday to promote the April 30 "Walk for the Troops" charity event. Tyson was also spotted with Floyd Mayweather Jr. at The Pearl (Palms) for the comedy show featuring Mike Epps.

THE PUNCH LINE

"There's a woman on YouTube talking about her divorce. She signed a prenup, married a Broadway producer, got divorced and now she's unhappy with the settlement. When I heard this I was shocked. A Broadway producer marrying a woman?" - Craig Ferguson

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