Las Vegas Weekly

March 1, 2009 · 11:30 AM

Muhammad Ali receives standing ovation at Lance Burton’s show

By Robin Leach

Lance Burton and Muhammad Ali with daughter Rasheda Ali and grandsons Nico and Biaggio.

Photo: Wayne Bernath

The standing ovation for former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali lasted nearly five minutes last night when he turned up unexpectedly for Lance Burton’s magic show at the Luxor.

Muhammad arrived with his wife Lonnie, daughter Rasheda and grandsons Nico, 8, and Biaggio, 10. Less than 10 days ago, Rasheda had watched the illusionist’s show and had such a great time, she promised to bring her boxing legend father to see it when he arrived in town. “He loves magic," Rasheda said.

Both Lance and Muhammad are from Louisville, Ky., and Rasheda had told Lance: “Everybody from Louisville is nice. You and my dad are the nicest!"

Muhammad can even perform several magic tricks and did so while doing a photo shoot in his suite at the Bellagio before he attended Siegfried & Roy’s final farewell reunion performance last night at the Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” gala.

When Lance announced from the stage that Muhammad was in the audience, all 900-plus people in the theater stood to their feet -- and the ovation continued for nearly five minutes!

Also in the audience last night was entertainer Rich Little, and the celebrity impressionist went backstage after the show to congratulate Lance.

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