Greatest gives respect where due

Miami Beach, Fla. Muhammad Ali stole the show at a surprise party for his former trainer Angelo Dundee, calling his mentor “the greatest trainer of all time.”

Ali won thunderous applause from about 150 people Wednesday as he showed up to honor Dundee two days before the Hall of Fame corner man’s 81st birthday.

“He’s going to help me in my comeback,” Ali joked. “I’m 60, I’m going to take the title back.”

Dundee was told he was going to eat lunch with Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer but instead was taken to the gathering on one of South Beach’s main drags.

Dundee, who trained 15 world boxing champions, received a plaque in his honor outside the former site of the famed 5th Street Gym, where Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman and hundreds of unknown fighters punched heavy bags and sparred in sweltering heat. Drawings of Dundee’s 15 champions are on the plaque.

Actress scores victory for birds

Bernardsville, N.J. A well-known chef and foie gras producer won’t attend an upcoming fund-raiser for a children’s charity, partly because of complaints the charity received from actress Bea Arthur and other animal rights activists.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter from Arthur to organizers of the Dinner of Hope, demanding that Michael Ginor be dropped from the Sept. 20 event.

Ginor, who co-owns Hudson Valley Foie Gras in Ferndale, N.Y., has volunteered to stay away from the dinner, said Tim Peters, vice president of the Far Hills-based charity. Peters also said foie gras, the fattened liver of a duck or goose which many consider a delicacy, was taken off the menu.

Arthur, 76, who starred in the television shows “Maude” and “The Golden Girls,” said she was thrilled with the letter’s results.

Animal rights activists say foie gras producers force-feed the birds large quantities of food through a tube that is jammed down their throats several times a day. They say the extra food causes the livers to swell up to 10 times their normal size and often tears the birds’ throats.

He wouldn’t miss it for the world

Atlanta Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington plans to be in the crowd Saturday when his son plays in his first college football game.

John Davis Washington, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back for Division II Morehouse, definitely will play against Fort Valley State in Macon, coach Willard Scissum said.

“John Davis is going to be in there a lot, absolutely,” Scissum said. “He’s an explosive back who has the ability to see openings and hit creases.”

The younger Washington rushed for 1,980 yards and 26 touchdowns last season at Campbell Hall High in North Hollywood, Calif. He likely will split time with senior Nate Zachery, who has been slowed by injury.